The first edition of this highly acclaimed reference work was published in 1980. Since then no other book has approached the breadth, scholarship and the balance of this book. For this long-awaited second edition, the original editors have been joined by Albert Ludolph, who brings in expertise in biological neurotoxicology.
In the introductory chapters, an overview of the biological basis of neurotoxicity provides the groundwork for discussing the scope of human and veterinary neurotoxic disease. The bulk of the text is devoted to an encyclopaedic treatment of chemicals with neurotoxic potential. This consists of tightly written overviews of the properties, actions and mechanisms of all manner of substances, whether natural or synthetic. The neurotoxic mechanisms of experimental agents and adverse effects of therapeutic and abused drugs are covered extensively. Environmental pollutants, workplace contaminants, personal-use products, food additives and agents harboured by plants, animals and humans for use against their respective enemies are all included. Each substance is rated on a three-point scale for the weight of evidence indicating a specific neurotoxic effect in humans, animals, or laboratory models. These effects are summarised and cross-referenced in a series of appendices and an extensive index.
This book will be indispensable to experimental neuroscientists, toxicologists, and practitioners of human and animal medicine. It also provides an authoritative, critical and pithy reference work for public health specialists and those within the legal profession.