Annual Review of Neuroscience, vol. 15.

This book is a collection of 15 review articles spanning the diverse field of neuroscience. Only 4 of the articles, however, appear to be relevant to physical therapy. These 4 articles are entitled "Moving in Three-dimensional Space: Frames of Reference, Vectors and Coordinate Systems," "Neural Mechanisms of Tactile Form and Texture Perception," "The Neostriatal Mosaic: Multiple Levels of Compartmental Organization," and "The Cerebellum and the Adaptive Coordination of Movement." One additional article might be of interest to speech therapists. Other reviews cover the more basic science areas of genetics, neural evolution and development, neurotransmitter receptor biochemistry, the olfactory system, and amygdala function.

Of the four most relevant articles, the first one focuses on how neurons code spatial information and how various sources of sensory information are transformed to allow matching of their differing coordinate systems, which may be centered in the eyes, head, limbs, or external environment. The article then considers how sensory and motor spatial codes interact to control vestibulo-ocular reflexes, postural responses, orienting responses, and arm-reaching to targets.

The second article describes the abilities of various skin receptor afferents to code surface roughness, vibration, and spatial patterns (such as braille). A hypothesis is advanced relating these sensory abilities to their possible role in the human use of tools.

The organization of the striatal portion of the basal ganglia is the focus of the third article. These neurons are subdivided into two groups based on their neuro-chemistry and their input-output connections. The relationship of these neuron types to Parkinson's disease and its drug therapy is briefly described.

The fourth article begins by considering the different functional roles of the three deep cerebellar nuclei. It also proposes an anatomical circuitry basis for the cerebellar cortex's role of linking control of multiple joints into movement synergies. Finally, it hypothesizes that the role of the cerebellum is to incorporate new movement synergies and to adapt more stereotyped movements for novel performance conditions.

It should be noted that even though some of the other articles have more of a basic science than a clinical orientation, these articles still sometimes contain subsections that may potentially have an impact on physical therapy in the future. For example, a review article on the molecular basis of neural development reports research elucidating a substance that seems to be required for normal embryological separation of skin and neural ectoderm. Absence of N-cadherin, a cell-surface glycoprotein that regulates intercellular adhesion, has been associated with production of neural tube defects in animal embryos. This information may provide the basis of future clinical tests and/or treatment.

Each review is approximately 30 pages long, including sparse illustrations, with an extensive and current bibliography. The articles are written at a level of complexity that can best be understood only by individuals already familiar with the specific topic. The reviews are not intended to introduce novices to new topics. (For less complex reviews, the reader might try the journal Trends in Neuro-science.) This book may be useful for physical therapists involved with teaching or research in the the area of neuro-science. It is unlikely, however, to be of interest to clinicians.