Drugs and the brain /

A magnificent acquisition for undergraduate libraries. In Scientific American style the illustrations are numerous, colorful, and easy to understand. Readable without sacrifice in depth or scientific accuracy, the book presents a state-of-the-art explanation of psychopharmacology. Snyder (Johns Hopkins) has authored Uses of Marijuana (1971), Madness and the Brain (CH, May '74), Biological Aspects of Mental Disorder (1980), and the Handbook of Psychopharmocology, coedited with L.L. Iversen and S.D. Iversen (1983). He begins with an explanation of synaptic transmission and the action of neurotransmitters at the cellular and molecular levels. Subsequent chapters deal with the effects of opiates, neuroleptics for schizophrenia, antidepressants, stimulants, anxiolytics, and psychedelic drugs; here the organic chemistry involved is made palatable for undergraduates. In 1972, Scientific American first produced a book of readings titled Altered States of Awareness with the same illustrated format. Drugs and the Brain evidences a quantum leap in our knowledge since that time. Similarly, this text surpasses the well-known Altered States of Consciousness, ed. by C.T. Tart (1972). The current text is written for the general reader or undergraduate, although the book is useful at all levels of instruction. Highly recommended for undergraduate libraries.-L. Gillikin, Hampton Counseling Services