The book is composed of 19 chapters, well balanced between basic and clinical science. They contain information relevant to cerebral energy metabolism including anoxia, hypoxia, and ischemia. Particularly important and basic are the introductory chapter of R. Hawluns on cerebral energy metabolism, G . Gibson's chapter on hypoxia, and J. Passonneau et al's section on ischemic encephalopathy. All sections are well written, clear, and carry many useful references. The problem of heavy metal toxicity is treated with great competence by J. O'Neil and D. Holtzman. This is one of the best chapters both for clarity and documentation. In general, the authors are successful in combining information on clinical problems and animal models. Effects on the developing brain or neurotransmitters and resistance to toxic effect are also discussed in depth. Particularly useful to clinicians is the last chapter of the book devoted to viral infections in the CNS. The illustration material is of good quality throughout and includes a few color figures of pathological changes in the brain. Some chapters, however, are rather scarce in illustrations (e.g., Gibson, McCandless, Abel, and Hawkins chapters). The index is comprehensive and helpful. All together, this is a very useful publication with excellent chapters. Most of the authors should be commended for their effort to review the material available in the literature rather than presenting only their own results. A special chapter on amino-and imino-acids neurotoxicity would have added to the book. This information is now scattered around in many chapters and not well organized.