Book Review

Brain Repair

N Engl J Med 1996; 334:1412May 23, 1996

Article

Brain Repair
By Donald G. Stein, Simón Brailowsky, and Bruno Will. 156 pp. New York, Oxford University Press, 1995. $23. ISBN: 0-19-57642-7

This book is a brief overview of how the brain works to repair itself after injury. It directly contradicts a long-held notion that the brain cannot regenerate, but the authors, internationally recognized neuroscientists, provide ample scientific evidence to support their claim. This is not a textbook on brain repair but rather an introduction to neuroscience in the areas of neuroplasticity, synaptic reorganization, and the compensatory function of the different regions of the brain as they relate to brain injury. With 10 chapters compressed into 156 pages, the book presents information ranging from a historical review of ideas about brain function to the recent advent of radiologic studies of the living brain (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging), abnormalities of the injured brain, neuroplasticity, the chemistry and pharmacology of brain repair, and the effects of age and environment on brain repair. Brain transplantation as a therapy for brain injury is also covered.

Apparently intended to highlight the issue of the reparative process in the injured brain for the general public as well as policy makers, the book explains why patients with various types of brain injury, especially traumatic brain injury, might benefit from rehabilitation treatments. The authors have done a marvelous job of summarizing the vast amount of literature related to this subject and describing it in accessible language. Many interested laypersons will find the content both fascinating and helpful in better understanding the brain. The only major shortcoming is the use of highly specialized scientific terminology, which will probably limit the scope of understanding that a general reader might gain. Nevertheless, this book is highly recommended for all those interested in the brain.

T.S. Park, M.D.
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110