NEUROENERGETICS: RELEVANCE IN FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING

Abstract

NEUROENERGETICS: RELEVANCE IN FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING By R. S. J. Frackowiak, P. J. Magistretti, R. G. Shulman, J. S. Altman and M. Adams 2002. Strasbourg: Human Frontier Science Program Organization ISBN 9291640107 Perhaps the major goal for cognitive neuroscience is to define the ways in which the activity of aggregates of neurones create phenomena of mind. Brain functional imaging is proving to be one of the most versatile tools for working towards this goal. Two of the most powerful approaches have been positron emission tomography (PET) and, more recently, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, both provide only indirect measures of neuronal activity. Instead, they measure local changes in brain metabolism and physiology that are associated with neuronal activity. As interest has developed in applying these methods quantitatively, it has become critically important to understand the nature of the signals being measured and thus, the specific mechanisms coupling metabolic and physiological changes to changes in neuronal activity. This slim volume leads the reader at an almost breathless pace from classical studies through to the most recent work concerning activity‐coupled brain energy metabolism. As a report of a workshop held between a small group of research leaders in different areas with expertise converging on common problems, it manages to be more current than recent textbooks. It is also comprehensive, despite its brevity. It gives the reader a very clear sense of the way in which our understanding is changing and identifies areas of continued uncertainty. The editors and co‐editors have done an excellent job in establishing a coherent style and in maintaining a consistent set of themes through the book. It may be surprising to readers unfamiliar with the area, but fundamental issues of brain energy metabolism still are being reformulated. It has long been recognized that the brain, only representing …