The bulk of this newly updated reference work is comprised of two parts, roughly equal in length. The first half is an alphabetical listing of terms dealing with Alzheimer’s disease itself, along with definitions/explanations of concepts in many related areas, such as treatments (“Chelation Therapy”), drugs (Memantine”), brain anatomy/physiology (“Hypothalamus”), notable individuals involved in research ( “Alzheimer, Alois,”), organizations (“National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center”) and other pertinent subjects.
Entries contain much useful, solid and up-to-date information, however, readers should be aware that there is a fair amount of “medicalese” to contend with. The article on “Brain,” for example, contains the following passage: “Similar to the spinal cord, the brain is surrounded by three meninges, the dura mater, the arachnoid mater, and the pia mater” (page 35). For anyone lacking medical training, this type of language only serves to confuse, rather than enlighten. While the reader may flip to the entry entitled “Meninges of the Brain” on page 116 to discover that the previous article was discussing the three separate membranes that envelop and protect the brain, it is time-consuming and frustrating to have to consult multiple articles when looking for a quick answer to a question. Clearer explanations of purely medical terminology would be greatly appreciated for any future editions. To this book’s credit, numerous well-drawn black-and-white sketches illustrate physical/anatomical items covered herein.
The second half of this volume consists of a directory of “Long Term and Day Care Treatment Centers, By State,” i.e., “…a list of nursing homes in the United States that accommodate individuals with Alzheimer’s disease” (page 183). Full contact information is given for each facility, along with the number of beds, current licensure, level of care provided and other details. Entries are alphabetically arranged by state, and then by city within each state.
Rounding out this volume is a listing of health care and academic institutions involved in Alzheimer’s research, such as clinical trials, and a very helpful “Resources” section, which is a bibliography of print/electronic material regarding not only Alzheimer’s disease itself, but also attendant issues, such as diet and nutrition, care for the caregiver, legal assistance and much else of value.
Elaine Moore is a freelance medical writer and laboratory consultant with over three decades of experience in writing and research and this is reflected in the authoritative tone of the articles in this volume. While perhaps more recondite than the Facts on File entry in this field, The Encyclopedia of Alzheimer’s Disease, 2<sup>nd</sup> ed., by Turkington, Mitchell and Galvin of 2010, the McFarland title is nevertheless the most current and comprehensive and is therefore recommended for purchase by all public and academic libraries.
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