Kaufman's Clinical Neurology for Psychiatrists (9th edn) By David Kaufman, Howard Geyer, Mark Milstein and Jillian Rosengard Elsevier. 2022. 700pp. £122.99 (hb). ISBN: 978-0323796804

Currently in its ninth edition, Kaufman's Clinical Neurology for Psychiatrists has deservedly become a classic in its field. The authors of this collaborative effort are experienced neurologists based in the USA, and the book beautifully summarises the knowledge needed to master the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and other examinations. Most importantly, this book prepares its readers – both psychiatry trainees and consultants – for clinical work in the 21st century. Despite its size, depth and scope, it is still succinct enough to be read and studied from cover to cover.

The book has two sections. Section I reviews basic clinical neuroanatomy and describes the approach to patients with a suspected neurological disorder, with focus on the neurological examination and the localising value of neurological signs. In addition to a chapter dedicated to the ‘hot topic’ of psychogenic neurological deficits, the authors cover areas that might be less familiar to psychiatrists, such as cranial nerve and peripheral nerve pathologies, as well as muscle disorders. Section II addresses the most common and clinically relevant neurological conditions, emphasising aspects a psychiatrist may encounter. For each condition, the authors explain neurological and psychiatric features, bedside examinations, appropriate tests, differential diagnosis and treatment options. They also correlate and contrast current (DSM-5) psychiatric diagnostic criteria to neurologists’ classification systems. The ninth edition of this classic, translated into Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Korean, was written 5 years after the eighth edition, thus ensuring that the content is constantly updated and timely. Together with new content (for example, the new classification of seizures and epilepsy), this new edition features high-quality illustrations and nearly 2000 multiple-choice questions – both in print and online.

Kaufman's Clinical Neurology for Psychiatrists has proven highly popular, as over 60 000 individuals have purchased a copy of its previous editions. What is the secret of this success? It all started with a course, ‘Clinical Neurology for Psychiatrists’, held at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. What happened next is apparently due to the first author's wife and best friend of 50 years. In Kaufman's own words, ‘she acted as my muse by originally suggesting writing this book by expanding the syllabus for my course’. Over 40 years later it can be agreed that the authors’ caveat stood the test of time: ‘readers should find this book, like the practice of medicine, complex and challenging, but at the same time rich and fulfilling’.