Foreword
Although neurology and psychiatry are closely linked specialties, many neurologists see their specialty as part of internal medicine. Indeed, neurology departments in the United States often began as divisions within departments of internal medicine, attesting to their special relationship. With the evolution of neurology as an independent discipline, it has become particularly important for its practitioners to remain familiar with the neurologic aspects of systemic diseases as well as with the systemic aspects of neurologic disorders. This has been recognized since the Handbook of Clinical Neurology was founded by Pierre Vinken and George Bruyn, with volume 1 appearing in December 1968. That first series concluded in 1982 and was followed by a second series, edited by them, that concluded—in turn—in 2002. We then took over as editors of the current third series, with volume 79 appearing in late 2003 and several volumes appearing annually since then. Two volumes (38 and 39) were published in the first series of the Handbook, focusing on the neurologic manifestations of systemic diseases. The second series included a further three volumes (63, 70, and 71) on the same topic, published in 1993 and 1998, with one of us (MJA) serving as an editor of those volumes. Advances in the field, but especially in immunology, genetics, imaging, pharmacotherapeutics, and intensive care, since that time have necessitated a reappraisal of the field and the publication of three new volumes on the topic. We are therefore particularly delighted at the publication of this scholarly contribution to the medical and neurologic literature and welcome it as part of the Handbook. We believe that it will appeal not only to neurologists but to physicians in all specialties, helping in their interactions with each other and with their patients. Professors Jose´ Biller and Jose´ M. Ferro have together produced an authoritative, comprehensive, and up to date account of the topic and have assembled a truly international group of authors with acknowledged expertise to contribute to these important multifaceted volumes. We are grateful to them and to all the contributors for their efforts in creating such an invaluable resource. We are confident that clinicians in many different disciplines will find much in these volumes to appeal to them. It is a pleasure, also, to thank Elsevier, our publishers – and in particular Tom Stone, Michael Parkinson, and Kristi Anderson – for unfailing and expert assistance in the development and production of these volumes. Michael J. Aminoff Franc¸ois Boller Dick F. Swaab
Although neurology and psychiatry are closely linked specialties, many neurologists see their specialty as part of internal medicine. Indeed, neurology departments in the United States often began as divisions within departments of internal medicine, attesting to their special relationship. With the evolution of neurology as an independent discipline, it has become particularly important for its practitioners to remain familiar with the neurologic aspects of systemic diseases as well as with the systemic aspects of neurologic disorders. This has been recognized since the Handbook of Clinical Neurology was founded by Pierre Vinken and George Bruyn, with volume 1 appearing in December 1968. That first series concluded in 1982 and was followed by a second series, edited by them, that concluded—in turn—in 2002. We then took over as editors of the current third series, with volume 79 appearing in late 2003 and several volumes appearing annually since then. Two volumes (38 and 39) were published in the first series of the Handbook, focusing on the neurologic manifestations of systemic diseases. The second series included a further three volumes (63, 70, and 71) on the same topic, published in 1993 and 1998, with one of us (MJA) serving as an editor of those volumes. Advances in the field, but especially in immunology, genetics, imaging, pharmacotherapeutics, and intensive care, since that time have necessitated a reappraisal of the field and the publication of three new volumes on the topic. We are therefore particularly delighted at the publication of this scholarly contribution to the medical and neurologic literature and welcome it as part of the Handbook. We believe that it will appeal not only to neurologists but to physicians in all specialties, helping in their interactions with each other and with their patients. Professors Jose´ Biller and Jose´ M. Ferro have together produced an authoritative, comprehensive, and up to date account of the topic and have assembled a truly international group of authors with acknowledged expertise to contribute to these important multifaceted volumes. We are grateful to them and to all the contributors for their efforts in creating such an invaluable resource. We are confident that clinicians in many different disciplines will find much in these volumes to appeal to them. It is a pleasure, also, to thank Elsevier, our publishers – and in particular Tom Stone, Michael Parkinson, and Kristi Anderson – for unfailing and expert assistance in the development and production of these volumes. Michael J. Aminoff Franc¸ois Boller Dick F. Swaab
