Brain–endocrine connection – for good or ill

Hypothalamic–Pituitary Development. Genetic and Clinical Aspectsedited by Raphael Rappaport and Serge Amselem. Karger, 2001. CHF188.00/k124.76/US$163.50 (x + 180 pages) ISBN 3805572395Endocrine disorders were first described as primarily clinical and/or anatomical entities with limited understanding of their pathogenesis. Gradually, as biochemical and neuroradiological techniques became more sophisticated, insight was gained into hormone physiology and regulation. We are now moving into an era characterized by a greater appreciation of the underlying molecular and genetic bases of normal and abnormal endocrine function. This book is a comprehensive update of the etiologies of congenital hypothalamic–pituitary defects and developmental endocrinology (i.e. the relationships of such defects to clinical disorders).The book opens with a succinct introduction to normal hypothalamic–pituitary development, structure and function, concluding with a list of 27 currently known genetic mutations responsible for various abnormalities in development. The remainder of the text details varying aspects of normal and abnormal development and function. Topics include pituitary embryogenesis, the molecular basis of developmental defects, growth hormone releasing receptors, pituitary transcription factors and magnetic resonance imaging. Chapters are also devoted to the morphological and molecular bases of several clinical entities that originate from central nervous system disorders, including septo-optic dysplasia, Kallmann Syndrome, hypothalamic–pituitary hypogonadism and central diabetes insipidus.The authors succeed in their stated goal to ‘integrate complex knowledge from various scientific and medical fields’. However, a clinician in a busy pediatric or endocrine practice might find the information in this text to have little immediate impact on patient care. Rather, the ideas presented here will provide a much greater appreciation of underlying pathogenesis and should stimulate further clinical and laboratory research. This text belongs in the library of academic endocrinologists and others interested in this emerging field.