The numerous ways in which man and animals are affected by their physical environment, and the inborn and adaptive responses to change in the "milieu exterieur" have fascinated curious minds since the earliest days of recorded history. Development of the scientific method with its emphasis on evidence obtained through experimentation-perhaps best illustrated in this field by Paul Bert's encyclopedic work-allowed several generations of our predecessors to establish firmly some facts and reject erroneous beliefs, but it was only during the early 1940s that environmental physiology put on its seven-league boots. In 1941, a young physiologist named Hermann Rahn was recruited by Wallace O. Fenn, then Chairman of the Department of Physiology at the University of Rochester, who was engaged in a study of the effects of altitude on human performance. The years that followed witnessed some of Hermann Rahn's early achievements not only in the area of altitude, but in other aspects of environmental physiology as well. In particular, he participated in the definitive studies of human adaptive mechanisms in arid climates which formed the basis of Edward Adolph's classic "Physi­ ology of Man in the Desert" (Wiley/Interscience, NY 1947). During those golden years, environmental physiology flourished, and important dis­ coveries were reported in a seemingly endless stream from many labora­ tories.

From the reviews:

"This is a well written and beautifully illustrated book which has the ambitious aim of illustrating 'the role of MRI in diagnosis, follow-up, therapy monitoring and research on dementia in all its manifestations'. The text is well written, illustrated and laid out and is comprehensive in its scope. ? this is an excellent book, both as reference text for specific diseases and as a general overview of dementia and its imaging. It is highly recommended to neuroradiologist, neurologists, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons and others ? ." (British Journal of Neurosurgery, Vol. 17 (6), 2003)

"This book is relevant to anyone interested in the care of patients with dementia ? . The MRI illustrations are lavish and of high quality ? . References are to be found at the end of each subsection and are comprehensive and up to date. The index is good. ? This is an interesting, very readable book with excellent coverage of its subject. It is recommended reading for any individuals interested in this field." (S. Barker, Neuroradiology, Vol. 45 (8), 2003)

"The idea behind this book was to bring together clinical, genetical, pathologic and radiological information, as well as historical details, research perspectives and therapeutic suggestions, in order to provide a comprehensive view of the many disorders that lead to dementia. ? The quality of the illustrations is excellent with many color figures of histological specimens, PET studies and diagrams. ? It should be present in every neuroradiological department. ? this new publication will become a standard reference book." (M. Savoiardo, European Radiology, Vol. 13 (4), 2003)

"The frequent use of several figures on almost every page - with more than 900 original high-quality figures - helps to organize the material and to illustrate the content of the text. ... The information is made clear and is accurate. The target audience is neurologists,psychiatrists, geriatricians, and radiologists. The length of the book and its level of details make it ideal for both residents looking for a practical knowledge on this subject and trained specialists." (Didier Leys, European Neurology, Vol. 48 (4), 2002)

"The authors ? present an extremely useful, readable, and well-structured reference book for radiologists, geriatricians, neurologists, and psychiatrists who have to deal with dementia patients. ? The clearly structured, highly didactical presentation of the various diseases makes it also a textbook for beginners in the field. ? The carefully selected and well-presented magnetic resonance images do not only illustrate well the cases in point, but make reading the book also an intellectual and an aesthetic pleasure. It can be highly recommended ? ." (H.B. Stähelin, Gerontology, Vol. 48 (6), 2002)