Niedermeyer’s Electroencephalography, Basic Principles, Clinical Applications, and Related Fields, 6th ed

Despite the advent of modern neuroimaging, electroencephalography (EEG) has retained its usefulness for the evaluation of brain masses and headaches, and it is indispensable for the proper management of paroxysmal episodes and for the surgical evaluation of intractable epilepsy. Recent research has dug up more treasures concerning EEG (eg, ultrafast and ultraslow potentials, direct current potentials, and high-frequency oscillations), and there are ongoing attempts at increasing the accuracy of source localization and automated seizure detection. Moreover, intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring has become, to a large extent, a part of the EEG specialty. Other emerging techniques, such as magnetoencephalography, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and the brain-computer interface, have deep roots in EEG. Thus, the modern electroencephalographer has much more to master today than in years past.

The sixth edition of Niedermeyer's Electroencephalography successfully addresses these needs and continues to be one of the electroencephalographer's most valuable references. Since 1982, subsequent editions have kept the reader up to date with the forefront of standard clinical and investigational EEG. The contents of the current edition continue to be concordant with the book's title, with adequate emphasis on EEG basics, clinical applications, and related fields (including, among others, fast frequencies, evoked potentials, source localization, and automated EEG reading). The editors of this edition have done a remarkable job organizing the book and making it easier to navigate. The chapters are arranged to fit nicely in 9 parts, which is comforting to the reader, facilitating prompt access to needed information.

One part of the book contains activation methods, artifacts, and normal EEG patterns. Separate chapters deal with normal EEG findings in separate age groups, from neonates to the elderly. Another part is devoted to EEG in common neurological disorders, including tumors, stroke, headaches, dementia, anoxia, and metabolic derangements. A third part deals with EEG in epilepsy. Like the normal EEG part, separate chapters in this part are appropriately devoted to different age groups. There are useful chapters on convulsive and nonconvulsive status epilepticus, where EEG characterizations are combined with pathophysiological and epidemiological backgrounds, which helps the reader to better integrate the information and understand specific patient presentations. This part also contains a well-written chapter on anticipation of seizures based on EEG. The chapter on nonepileptic episodes covers some psychogenic and physiologic etiologies and is appropriately brief in an EEG book. The remaining 5 parts constitute the other half of the book. These are devoted to complimentary techniques (including an outstanding chapter on intracranial monitoring that contains many useful intracranial EEG samples), drug effects, evoked potentials, neurocognition, and computer-assisted analysis.

All the chapters are written by members of an international faculty who are leading experts in EEG and related fields. The book is very well organized and easy to navigate. Most chapters are highly readable and contain very informative illustrations. The writing is excellent and often succinct, and the headings and subheadings help the reader keep track of the enormous amount of data. The book has a companion Web site that allows navigation through the fully searchable text and figures. This facilitates access to the book from computers and portable electronic devices, enhancing its usefulness for the contemporary electroencephalographer.

Prose ★★★★
Illustrations ★★★★
Science ★★★★
Usefulness ★★★★