BOOK REVIEWS

Psychiatric Genetics (Review of Psychiatry)

Editors: Kenneth S. Kendler and Lindon Eaves (2005).American Psychiatric Publishing, 240 pp, US$36.95, ISBN 1585622281.

and pathways by which DNA vari- the genetic and environmental Psychiatric Genetics, edited by ants contribute to the liability to questions that provides the Kenneth Kendler and Lindon Eaves, psychiatric disorders. Kendler dis- research agenda for the coming is a concise text which presents a cusses the interrelationships among years and which concludes that state-of-the-art summary on the the paradigms and the practical psychiatric genetics cannot ignore genetics of schizophrenia, anxiety and conceptual difficulties of the environment any more than and substance-use disorders, and moving from paradigms 1 and 2 to developmental and social psychol- antisocial behavior. paradigms 3 and 4, as it is not yet ogy can ignore the genes. This The introduction by Kendler clear whether it is possible to move chapter is written in clear, non- discusses the four paradigms in from genetic risk factors to suscep- technical language and manages to psychiatric genetics: basic genetic tibility genes. sketch all relevant issues and go epidemiology, which quantifies The second chapter by Eaves familial and genetic risk; advanced and colleagues is a ‘user-friendly’ beyond simple additive models genetic epidemiology, which treatment of models, methods and while remaining very accessible. explores the nature and mode of statistical approaches in genetic epi- The remaining chapters are action of genetic risk factors; gene demiology, quantitative trait loci mainly written by scientists from the finding, which includes genetic (QTL) studies, multivariate (includ- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and linkage and association studies; ing developmental) phenotypes and Behavioral Genetics, and offer an and molecular genetics, which of issues that go beyond the addi- easily accessible yet thorough review traces the biological mechanisms tive model. There is a summary of of topics in psychiatric genetics.

Psychopathology in the Genome and Neuroscience Era

Editors: Charles F. Zorumski and Eugene H. Rubin (2005).American Psychiatric Association, 240 pp, US$54.00, ISBN 1585622427.

of a review approach, but instead 21st Century. DSM-V and beyond Psychopathology in the Genome discusses basic issues in the defini- [2002], edited by J. E. Helzer and and Neuroscience Era, edited by tion of the phenotypes studied in J. J. Hudziak). Todd and col- Charles Zorumski and Eugene psychiatric genetics and addresses leagues contribute to the debate by Rubin, brings together selected the importance of a conceptual describing an approach for the topics in psychiatric genetics, diag- shift from identifying major genes redefinition of early onset disor- nosis and prevention, and for mental disorders to gaining an ders (attention-deficit hyperactivity neurobiology. The last two chap- understanding of the role genes disorder and autism) based on ters are devoted to education. The play in susceptibility to mental dis- chapters in this book are based on orders. The discussion on latent class and factor analysis. talks by 20 international experts phenotypes can be seen as the con- McGuffin and Farmer focus on the given at the March 2003 American tinuation of an earlier conference phenotypic definition of schizo- Psychopathological Association volume by the same publisher phrenia and comorbid disorders. annual meeting. The book has less (Defining psychopathology in the Issues of reliability and validity

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and the DSM-IV/ICD-11 revisions The third part of the book psychiatric training. The first are discussed by Regier et al. focuses on neurobiology and mood chapter, by Rubin and Zorumski, Gershon offers a historical disorders. Drevets offers a compre- focuses on workforce issues and picture of behavior genetics and hensive chapter on brain structural advances in neuroscience. The puts this in the perspective of the abnormalities in mood disorders second, by Hudziak argues that hunt for genes for other complex and discusses the implications for advances in genomics and neuro- disorders. He provides a balanced the pathogenesis of emotion dys- science lay the foundation for an discussion of the possibilities for regulation based on PET, MRI and educational model that will use and misuse of genotype data as postmortem brain studies. increase the likelihood that more for heritable traits such as intelli- The two final chapters are science-minded medical students gence and alcoholism. devoted to educational trends in will choose careers in psychiatry.

Schizophrenia: Challenging the Orthodox

Editors: Colm McDonald, Katja Schulze, Robin M. Murray, and Padraig Wright (2004).Taylor & Francis, 221 pp, US$69.95, ISBN 1841843776.

Therapy; and Schizophrenia and D’Souza in the section on phar- Schizophrenia: Challenging the Bipolar Disorder. macology and psychology. Other Orthodox, edited by Colm The section on genetics offers chapters in this section cover the McDonald, Katja Schulze, Robin an overview of important role of dopamine system. The Murray and Padraig Wright, offers linkage and association findings book concludes with an informa- a more in-depth review of the disor- and the encouraging story from tive series of papers on the — by der that was once described as ‘the Iceland about the discovery of now accepted — comorbidity of heartland of psychiatry’ and this neuregulin as a major suscepti- schizophrenia and bipolar disor- der in which shared genetic book as ‘the Holy Grail’ of gene bility gene for schizophrenia architecture, shared brain char- searching. This book also follows through standard operational acteristics from imaging studies from a conference meeting (the protocols for positional cloning. The section on epidemiology and developmental trajectories inaugural meeting of the European looks at possible risk (e.g., are examined. Foundation for Psychiatry) and was urbanicity) and protective (e.g., All three books are very acces- recommended for British Medical cigarette smoking) factors of sible. Twin researchers may enjoy Association Awards 2005. It con- schizophrenia. One of the chap- the first book the most, but all sists of 23 short chapters, written ters by Murray et al. is devoted three have much to offer to by a large number of authors and is to the increased risk of schizo- anyone interested in psychiatric divided into sections on Brain phrenia in methamphetamine genetic research. Imaging; Genetic Research; and cannabis users, suggesting Dorret I. Boomsma Epidemiology; Prodrome and Early that (part of) the increased risk Department of Biological Psychology Intervention; Psychopharmacology may reflect causality. The role of Vrije Universiteit,Amsterdam, and Psychology; Cognitive ‘pot’ is also considered by the Netherlands

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