Brain, Vol. 122, No. 3, 581-583,
March 1999
© 1999 Oxford University Press
Book Reviews |
NEUROPATHOLOGY OF DEMENTING DISORDERS.
By William R Markesbery 1998. Pp. 404. London: Edward Arnold (Publishers) Limited. Price £125. ISBN 0-340-59037-8..
Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK
Recent years have witnessed a flourishing in the publication of neuropathology textbooks. Not only general volumes covering neuropathology as a whole, but also books on single subjects have appeared in the specialized bookshops. That there are several books on brain tumours is hardly surprising, but the publication of a second textbook on the neuropathology of dementias within one year must reflect increased interest in a previously rather neglected field. Dementia has become a focus of interest, both scientifically and socially; it has an immense impact on health care and health policy. With an increasing ageing population, the incidence of dementia has dramatically increased to reach epidemic proportions. Approximately 15% of those aged 65 have dementia of varying severity and currently there are 20 million sufferers of dementia in the world, indicating the magnitude of the problem. Scientific developments ranging from the bedside to the laboratory bench have also increased our