This volume provides a comprehensive understanding of the biology of dementias, including information on advancements in the way these disorders are perceived and studied. From earlier assumptions that cognitive deficits were simply age related, this handbook progresses into complex discussions of the diseases that affect the cortex of the human brain.

Clinicians will find extensive diagnostic and research perspectives on a variety of interesting topics, including neuropathology, physiopathology, biology, clinics, and imaging information on all, or most, of the dementing disorders currently known.

In addition, chapters devoted to legal and ethical issues give practitioners and health care workers an informative view on complex dementias and the way these disorders affect patients and families. Clinicians in all levels of expertise will find useful and synthetic information.
* Comprehensive information on advancements in the study and diagnosis of dementias
* Complex discussions of the diseases that affect the cortex of the human brain
* Extensive diagnostic and research perspectives on topics including, but not limited to, neuropathology, physiopathology, and groundbreaking imaging techniques
* A reference guide that is appropriate for clinicians in all levels of expertise, from researchers to basic health care providers

Alzheimer's disease invades the brain from the inside. Unlike an abcess, a metas- tasis or an infarct, the disease follows specific tracks and avoids certain cortical areas while flourishing in others. Any observer is struck by the exquisite selectiv- ity of the lesions and could, indeed, conclude that Alzheimer's disease knows neuroanatomy. However, should the term "disease" be used to define this disor- der? Several genes, located on at least three different chromosomes, have been implicated in the disease. The ApoE4 genotype has been shown to be an impor- tant risk factor, but dementia pugilistica also suggests that environment can be involved in at least some aspects of the disorder. These data favor the now preva- lent view that Alzheimer's disease should instead be considered as a syndrome, and probably all of the contributors to this volume are ready to endorse this point of view. If "Alzheimer's syndrome" is the final common pathway to several pathoge- netic mechanisms, there should be an event at one point in the course of the spe- cific etiology that triggers a somewhat stereotypic diffusion process along some neural connections. Scientists who are fascinated by the way in which the ner- vous system has morphologically encoded its function after a long phylogenetic history are also fascinated by this pathological progression of Alzheimer's syn- drome.

Now in its sixth edition, Escourolle & Poirier Manual of Basic Neuropathology continues the tradition of being one of the most respected texts in neuropathology by providing an introduction to the diseases of the nervous system and their underlying pathology. This thorough, yet concise manual covers the full spectrum of categories of neurologic disease, including neoplasia, trauma, vascular disease, and infection, with separate chapters on prion diseases, multiple sclerosis, degenerative disorders, acquired metabolic diseases, hereditary metabolic diseases, congenital malformations, perinatal diseases, skeletal muscle, peripheral nerve, and the pituitary gland. The last chapter covers traditional and current techniques in Neuropathology. Richly illustrated throughout, with over 700 macroscopic and microscopic images of lesions of the nervous system, including tumors, stroke, infection, degeneration, and malformations among, this new edition of the classic monograph is an easy-to-use manual for any student, trainee, researcher, or practitioner seeking basic information on neuropathology. Used for decades in all fields related to brain and neuromuscular disease-including neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, neuroradiology, neuroendocrinology, neuropathology, pathology, and neuroscience- Escourolle & Poirier Manual of Basic Neuropathology continues to be one of the most respected short introductions to this topic. This new version has been completely rewritten and expanded to include important updates in genetics and molecular biology, reflective of the important and most recent discoveries guiding understanding of pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases in both children and adults.