Multiple sclerosis. A comprehensive text. Cedric S Raine, Henry F McFarland, Reinhard Hohlfeld, editors. Edinburgh: Saunders Elsevier, 2008 (xii + 474 pp). ISBN 978 0 7020 2811 3.

Multiple sclerosis is one of the most common chronic neurological diseases affecting younger age groups, predominantly women. In Australia, about 8000 people suffer from the condition — the prevalence has increased threefold over the past 35 years. Intensive research and a new textbook are well justified.

The editors have assembled 56 contributors from North America, Europe and the United Kingdom, covering a wide range of topics including history, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, immunopathogenesis, genetics, epidemiology and the possible role of infectious agents. Immunotherapy for the disease has evolved in recent years; many forms of treatment have undergone clinical trials, and effective therapy that modifies the course of relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis is now available, although no cure has yet been found. The field is rapidly changing and this thorough review of the subject is welcome.

Multiple sclerosis. A comprehensive text achieves its aim of providing a comprehensive up-to-date text of the whole field of multiple sclerosis, linking science and clinical aspects. It will be a valuable source of reference for both clinicians and research workers.