Over the past 10 years there have been many advances in the field of neurodevelopment and psychiatric illness, particularly as applied to schizophrenia. In this update of an earlier text (Reference Keshavan and MurrayKeshavan & Murray, 1997), the editors attempt to take stock of the literature from basic sciences and clinical studies and to incorporate information from psychology and that concerning the role of social and environmental factors. The book is written with the aim of informing and stimulating both researchers and clinicians.

The text is set out in four parts, beginning with ‘Basic aspects’, which concerns the determinants, trajectories and aberrations of normal cerebral and cognitive development. This section contains information on normal brain development rarely included in other texts, and continually links the information to a clinical context.

The second and longest part, ‘Etiological factors’, is a more heterogeneous mix. There are focused chapters on glucocorticoid involvement in psychiatric disorders and velo-cardio-facial syndrome as well as more general chapters on nutritional factors, early environmental risk factors, drug misuse and the social environment.

Part III, ‘Pathophysiology’, concerns the neurochemistry, neuropathology and neuroanatomy of schizophrenia. This section also includes information on neuro-degenerative models and addresses the diagnostic specificity of findings.

The final part, ‘Clinical implications’, provides a clinical context to the whole volume, with chapters on identification of individuals pre-schizophrenia, high-risk studies and early intervention. The brevity of this section reflects the relative scarcity of evidence in this field and suggests that the translation of basic science and clinical studies into clinically meaningful interventions is probably some time away.

This is a generally well-written, referenced and illustrated text of research in the field of neurodevelopment and schizophrenia. It tackles a considerable literature: from normal development to aetiology, pathophysiology and potential clinical applications. Diagnostic specificity is considered at several points throughout the book and the potential usefulness of alternative endophenotypes is also well deliberated. Unfortunately, the relative lack of current medical applications will probably limit the book's appeal to clinicians. Nevertheless, it is an excellent reference text for research in this rapidly developing field.