Three-Dimensional Neuroimaging

teacher or the practitioner in a referral institution who is looking for extensive background information and literature citations. Rapid advances in biomedical research technology have helped elucidate the structure and function of many components of the human body. Much of brain function, however, still remains enigmatic. Recent advances in computer and engineering technology might help to change that, and it is this new, exciting field of research that is the focus of this book. When I first saw the title, Three-Dimensional Neuroimaging, I expected discussion of some of the conventional methods of structural (such as MRI and CT) and functional (PET and SPECT) brain imaging. That, very specifically, is not the focus of this book. To quote the preface, "Some of the most difficult decisions ... dealt with limiting coverage of the neuroimaging field .... MRI and PET do not share the same issues inherent to those methodologies that physically slice nervous tissue .... this book concentrates on topics most pertinent to the imaging of data derived from serial sectioning." The book is divided into three sections. The first deals with the basics of neuroimag-ing. These chapters contain fairly detailed and highly technical discussions of the general computer and engineering issues involved in the development of neuroimaging systems (i.e., resolution, sensing devices, image enhancement, graphic representations). Each chapter is written by a different group of people; consequently, there is variability in the depth of the discussions. Sometimes, concepts are illustrated through descriptions of programs/systems which have been developed, often with more emphasis on the programs than on the concepts. While not all of the discussions are equally detailed, all chapters contain excellent references for further reading. Though the writing is generally clear, the discussions may not be entirely understandable to the lay reader with no computer/engineering background. The second section of the book discusses applications of neuroimaging technology. These chapters contain descriptions of some ongoing or completed projects in neuroim-aging, including projects to develop three-dimensional computerized atlases, imaging of brain function, and neuronal receptor mapping. There is also an interesting discussion of a project for computerized neuronal arbor mapping in the first section of the book, which might be more appropriately placed in this section. In this section, too, the authors of the chapters vary considerably in their styles of presentation. Some authors stress neurophysiology, while others emphasize the design considerations and/or implementation of their systems. These sections considerably expanded …