J.C. Tamraz  <br/><br/>
Atlas of regional anatomy of the brain using MRI   with functional correlations  

 - New York   Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg   2006 
 - 346 Pages  
<br/><br/> Includes bibliographical references and index. 
<br/><br/> The anatomical dissections of Mundini dei Luzzi in 1316, mark the beginning of<br/>an era extending over more than 5 centuries in which the study of the brain was<br/>limited, almost exclusive1y, to description of its gross anatomy derived from the<br/>inspection of gross anatomical specimens. In the 19th century, new techniques<br/>like histology and electrical stimu1ation were developed allowing the first correlation studies of cortical anatomy and brain function. Shortly thereafter, the<br/>development of recording techniques of evoked potentials and spontaneous brain<br/>waves (EEG) further enhanced our understanding of brain function as a function<br/>of its anatomical correlation. One major limitation of all these studies was that at<br/>that time no technique was available to define the anatomy of the brain without<br/>its direct visualization. In other words, precise anatomo- functional correlation<br/>studies were only possible in experimental studies in animals, the unusual setting<br/>of human craniotomies and by careful clinico-pathological studies. These last<br/>studies also shed some light on the functions of structures that had been affected<br/>by a pathological process, and in the late 19th century and early 20th century,<br/>research efforts of clinical neuroscientists focused on anatomo-functional correlation studies making brain anatomy one of their pillars. However, soon these<br/>research techniques reached a limit and, progressively research efforts focused<br/>on pathogenesis, therapeutics and the development of clinical diagnostic techniques. Clinicians soon realized that precise knowledge of brain anatomy was not<br/>necessarily an essential clinical tool and brain anatomy classes in neuroscience<br/>curricula became only of secondary importance.<br/>However, technological advances that had its beginnings in the early 1950’s<br/>eventually lead to a reversal of this trend. A pioneer role in this development was<br/>played by the French school lead of Talairach and Bancaud. Taking advantage of<br/>newly developed imaging techniques, Talairach realized that angiography could<br/>be used effectively to define “non-invasively” the sulcal anatomy of the brain. This<br/>led to the development of the “Talairach Atlas”, which even today, can be applied<br/>practically. Equally important, however, was the collaboration of Talairach with<br/>Bancaud that established functional correlations of the anatomical studies of<br/>Talairach. These pioneer studies of Talairach and Bancaud certainly led to significant contributions of our understanding of human anatomy and its physiological<br/>correlates. Unfortunately, the studies had only a limited impact in the general<br/>clinical neurosciences since they were only applicable to a very selected number<br/>of patients.<br/>Recent neuroimaging developments, particularly high resolution MRI, provided the tools necessary to make detailed brain anatony available to all neuroscientist on a routine basis. This availability, and the expanded understanding of human anatomo-neurophysiological correlates, has led to a resurgence of<br/>the interest of clinical neurophysiologist in gross human brain anatomy and its<br/>functional corre1ates.<br/>Tamraz and Comair’s book on regional anatomy of the human brain using<br/>MRI, is certainly a welcome addition that fulfills our growing need for books  correlating anatomy, function and MRI. There are two facts that make this book<br/>particularly appealing for clinicians. Both authors are busy clinicians who, on a<br/>daily basis, apply the information provided in the book to their clinical practice.<br/>This assures that all the information provided has immediate clinical relevance.<br/>In addition, the book is greatly influenced by Professor Tamraz and Professor<br/>Comair’s exposure to the Paris and Montreal’s schools, respectively, both stressing brain anatomy and its relationship to neurophysiology. The immediate clinical practicality of the book and the stress on correlating anatomy and function,<br/>make this book a unique and valuable contribution to the clinical neuroscience<br/>community, and should become a standard textbook for trainees in the clinical<br/>neurosciences. The clinical neurosciences will greatly profit from the practical<br/>approach to gross neuroanatomy, neuroimaging and correlative neurophysi ology<br/>offered in this book. 
<br/><br/><label>ISBN: </label>3-540-27876-1  978 3-540-27876-4 
<br/><br/><label>Subjects--Facted Index Terms: </label>--1. Brain--anatomy & histology--Atlases. 2. Magnetic Resonance Imaging--Atlases.