A Verkhratsky AB Wiley ISBN 978-0-470-51740-6

Glial cells have been neglected for a long time, but more recently, the importance of glial cells in normal cortical function has been re-evaluated. In addition to their traditional roles in neuronal migration and inflammatory processes, glia are now accepted to have roles in providing trophic support to neurons, neuronal metabolism and the formation of synapses and neurotransmission. Consequently, reduced cortical glial cell numbers could be responsible for some of the pathological changes in major neuropsychiatric diseases. Additionally, as astrocytes provide some of the energy requirements of neurons, deficient astrocyte function could account for aspects of the functional magnetic imaging abnormalities found in these disorders. An accessible and affordable textbook by two of the leading authors in this field is therefore more than welcome. The book consists of three parts, in which the first part provides a general introduction to the morphology and development of glial cells. In the second part, the interactions of glial cells with the surrounding brain are reviewed and the last part gives a brief introduction in nervous system pathology. The book is well written, illustrated with well-conceived drawings and some photographs. The number of references is scant, although this is not a major shortcoming in this type of introductory text. I would heartily recommend this book to neuroscience students and fellows and to any clinician looking for a concise and authoritative introduction in glial neurobiology.