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Kalman Kafetz, Psychiatric Issues in Parkinson’s Disease. A Practical Guide Edited by Matthew Menza and Laura Marsh London and New York: Taylor & Francis, 2005. 340 pp, ISBN 1–84184–491–8. £55.00 Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Parkinson’s Disease DementiaEdited by John O’Brien, Ian McKeith, David Ames and Edmond Chiu London and New York: Taylor & Francis, 2005. 264 pp, ISBN 1–84184–395–4. £75.00, Age and Ageing, Volume 35, Issue 2, March 2006, Page 209, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afj037
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For those of us working on the border between medicine and psychiatry in elderly people, some of the most difficult patients are those with both rigidity and psychiatric symptoms. These two well-presented and up-to-date (some references from 2005) books offer a clear and comprehensive view of current knowledge about these patients and the scientific and clinical basis of their care.
Psychiatric Issues in Parkinson’s Disease covers more than its title suggests. It is effectively a comprehensive textbook of Parkinson’s disease suitable for trainees, specialist nurses and all physicians and psychiatrists except those with an intensive specialist interest. There are sections on neurology, cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric disturbances and special topics. The latter include disability, coping, personality issues, rehabilitation, long-term care, advocacy and care giving. There are details about psychiatric medications and a list of Web-based resources. The book is, for the most part, written by North American psychiatrists, but geriatricians and neurologists will feel comfortable with it. The emphasis, as in the title, is on practical aspects of what can be very complicated clinical situations. The chapters on cognitive dysfunction and on sleep disorders are particularly clear discussions of intricate matters. The chapter on coping concentrates refreshingly on coping strategies rather than respite care. There are no new ideas on dealing with the practical situations, but readers will gain an in-depth understanding of the full range of fascinating aspects of this complex disease. As well as clinical evidence, it is full of experience-based tips.
There is an obvious overlap with Dementia with Lewy bodies. This Anglo-Australian book is comprehensive enough for experts and clear enough, with short and relevant chapters, for generalists who want to know more about the subject. The editors feel, and the book makes the case, that there is enough knowledge, both consensus based and contentious, about the whole spectrum of the disorder to sustain a book worth reading. All the authors make what is agreed and what is not agreed quite clear. The chapters on neurochemistry and on nosological confusion regarding the boundaries of dementia with Lewy bodies are particularly intriguing. A chapter written by a carer was deliberately and fascinatingly provocative. A similar chapter would have been an advantage in the book on Parkinson’s disease.
The publisher is to be congratulated on two well-produced books that between them illuminate an important clinical area.
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