Early-Onset Dementia: A Multidisciplinary Approach. Edited by John R. Hodges. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2001. 478 pp. £75.00 (hb). ISBN 0 19263034 2

Early-onset dementia is an important area for clinical practice and research and tests the mettle and resources of both old age and general adult psychiatrists. The impact of early-onset dementia on sufferers and their families can be devastating. All the more reason to be practised and knowledgeable in approaching its diagnosis and treatment.

John Hodges's book consists of 20 multi-authored chapters on different aspects of early-onset dementia, from epidemiology through assessment and diagnosis to management. Each chapter ends with a number of key points. A comprehensive synthesis of clinical and basic aspects of early-onset dementia is presented. The reference list is comprehensive in relation to early-onset dementia as contrasted with Alzheimer's disease or dementia in general. The text is amply augmented by tables, images and illustrations. The chapter on clinical assessment and bedside tests is particularly useful. Other outstanding chapters are on neuropsychological assessment and neuroimaging.

The book does have some gaps. An area that I would like to have seen covered is the clinic model and how it works in a truly multi-disciplinary fashion. In this regard, Hodges refers us to another textbook but a critical appraisal of the Cambridge model and alternatives could have pointed providers setting up early-onset dementia clinics in the right direction. Also, a chapter on service provision beyond the memory clinic model and how we should be moving forward in this direction would have been helpful in informing opinion in this much neglected area. Carer burden can be extreme in early-onset dementia and some consideration of this topic and advice on management from a multi-disciplinary perspective would also have added to the value of the book.

However, this is a book that I expect to use regularly and profitably. I would recommend it to anyone with an interest in dementia and to those of us who work in memory clinics and continue to be challenged by our early-onset dementia cases.