Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neuronal Plasticity in Normal Aging and Alzheimer's Disease, vol 86, Progress in Brain Research.

Coleman PD, Higgins GA, Phelps CH, eds. New York, NY 10159, Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc, 1990, hardback, 364 pp, illus, $151.50.

This text compiles the proceedings of the National Institute on Aging Symposium on Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neuronal Plasticity in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease held in May 1989 in Bethesda, Md. This symposium addressed current theory of neuronal cell death, synaptic plasticity, glial roles in plasticity, intercellular and intracellular molecular signaling, and changes in gene expression and protein processing associated with dementia and normal aging. The majority of papers present information from vertebrate models, although some invertebrate and cell culture studies are also mentioned. Although clinicians who are interested in aging and Alzheimer's disease may find the information in these papers useful, the text is written primarily for neuroscientists who are actively engaged in cellular and molecular research.

The introductory comments in section 1, by Phelps, best suit the reader who does not have a background in or familiarity with molecular neurobiology, This chapter prepares the reader for the following chapters by providing an overview of morphological and molecular changes that are associated with normal aging and with Alzheimer's disease. The writers broadly address dendritic growth, axonal sprouting, reactive synaptogenesis, and glial neuroenvironmental regulation with regard to the molecular alterations of aging and dementia.

Section 2 presents papers on the roles of substances such as hormones and excitotoxins on neuronal cell death, and the relationships of these substances to aging research. The role of neuronal plasticity in normal and aging systems and in Alzheimer's disease is addressed in a series of papers in section 3. Studies presented in this section relate to the plastic changes associated with normal and pathological amino acid receptor development and receptor roles in learning and memory, nerve cell-glial developmental interactions and speculation on these roles in pathogenesis, possible intercellular signaling events that may lead to Alzheimer's disease, neuronal growth cone changes during development, synaptic plasticity and behavioral relationships, and sensory intracortical processing.

In section 4, papers are presented on intercellular signals that are associated with neurotrophic factors (including nerve growth factor), neurotrophic receptors, and gene therapy. Section 5 examines intracellular messengers, gene expression, and genetic influences on Alzheimer's disease and aging, including a chapter on the biology of the amyloid protein precursor. Section 6 looks further into neuronal responses and cellular mechanisms associated with the pathogenetics of Alzheimer's disease. In a good synopsis by Price et al in chapter 25, the use of animal models to describe neuronal circuitry alterations, cytoskeletal changes, and amyloid protein precursor development found in Alzheimer's disease are described. Other chapters in section 6 describe the use of protein markers (GAP-43) in demonstrating plasticity in the mature central nervous system, gene expression during neuronal regeneration, and cell adhesion properties during axonal and dendritic growth. The final chapter of this text encourages new ways of looking at the problems of aging and Alzheimer's research using a systems approach.

This compilation is presented in a logical sequence and is well organized. Each chapter has an extensive reference list and uses adequate figures, tables, and illustrations to supplement the text. There is a comprehensive subject index at the end of the book. Physical therapists directly involved in Alzheimer's disease research or graduate students interested in neuronal plasticity at the molecular level may find aspects of this text useful. Physical therapists looking for treatment-related information on Alzheimer's disease or general theories on aging and neuronal plasticity will find this book beneficial to their practice.