Book reviews

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00533.x

Neurodevelopment and schizophrenia.By M. Keshaven, J. Kennedy and R. Murray (eds). Published by

Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 2004 Hardback,

£85.00, ISBN 0 521 82331 5

The modern renaissance of the neurodevelopmental hypothesis(NDH) of schizophrenia was launched over 18 years ago. TheNDH suggests that critical early periods of brain developmentare disrupted, and that this process is causally related to therisk of developing schizophrenia. It could be argued that theNDH is a very unsatisfactory guide for research – it lacks aprecise form that outlines a particular cause or even aparticular domain of causes (genetic and nongenetic). How-ever, because of the vague nature of the NDH, it has providedfertile grounds for two generations of researchers. In somerespects, it has become a �Rorschach test� for the schizophreniaresearcher.Like all good research models, the NDH has been revised in

response to the data. In particular, recent versions of thehypothesis have incorporated evidence from structural neuro-imaging which suggests changes in brain volumes after theonset of schizophrenia. Thus, we have a proliferation of newmodels that incorporate two or more �hits� over the lifespanrather than only one early-life event.This multi-authored book covers a broad range of research

domains where neurodevelopment and schizophrenia intersect(e.g. genes, brain plasticity, cognitive development, brainmorphology, candidate exposures, pathology and clinicalimplications). In particular, it is interesting to note howpsychosocial factors are being woven back into the fabric of thehypothesis. The chapters in this book provide useful summariesof the �state of the nation� – how well do the data match thehypothesis, and how can the hypothesis be made more specific?The book is well written and informative. The book would bebest appreciated by researchers, but curious clinicians andundergraduates would also find the book of interest.The scope of the book is good, but future editions might like

to include chapters on the behavioural and cognitive anteced-ents of schizophrenia. There is now a coherent body ofevidence from birth cohorts that demonstrates that childrenwho go on to develop schizophrenia have an altered develop-mental trajectory. In addition, perhaps future editions couldoutline how important animal models have been in exploringthe NDH. Indeed, neuroscience as a discipline has learnt muchfrom experiments inspired by the NDH.The NDH has galvanized a substantial body of schizophre-

nia research. It has evolved in the face of the rapid develop-ments in neuroscience in general and in response to thegrowing body of research related to schizophrenia. Regardlessof its weaknesses, the heuristic value of the NDH has clearlywithstood the test of time.

John McGrathQueensland Centre for Schizophrenia Research

The Park Centre for Mental Health

Wacol Q4076, Australia

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2005.00536.x

Schizophrenia: from neuroimaging to neuroscience.By S. Lawrie, E. Johnstone and D. Weinberger (eds). Published

by Oxford University Press, Oxford, UK, 2004, 405 pp., £60,

ISBN 0 19 852596 6.

This book presents established and up-to-date knowledge fromstructural and functional brain imaging studies and whatdevelopments are likely in the foreseeable future.The different brain imaging techniques are presented by

internationally acknowledged researchers, with focus on meth-odological considerations, main findings in schizophrenia,clinical perspectives and conclusions as to future perspectives.Tables, figures and illustrations are widely used and of goodquality.A range of structural brain investigation techniques is

presented, from pneumoencephographic and CT studies toMagnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). MR proton spectrosco-py provides a localized insight into brain biochemistry in vivoand detects subtle brain pathology. Diffusion tensor MRImeasures the three-dimensional mobility of water moleculesin vivo and can provide detailed information on fibre tractorientation and other architectural features of brain tissue.Functional brain imaging has seen extremely rapid develop-

ment from simple perfusion studies to fine mapping ofneurocircuits associated with specific brain functions. Differenttechniques are presented such as event-related potentials,Positron Emission Tomography (PET) and functional MRI,as well as the assessment of neurotransmitter precursors,neuroreceptors and transporters with single photon emissioncomputerized tomography and PET.In the last chapter the editors conclude that the greatest

challenges toward an integrated imaging of schizophrenia arein the integration: between levels of explanation, betweenneurons, regions and systems, between imaging modes andcenters and between large studies and the single case approachthat is required if any of this is to have clinical impact.Recommendable.

Alice MadsenPsychiatrica Department E

Bispebjerg Hospital

Bispebjerg Bakke 23

2400 Copenhagen NV

Denmark

Acta Psychiatr Scand 2005: 111: 466All rights reserved

Copyright � Blackwell Munksgaard 2005

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