This is the first ebook I have been sent for review since I resumed the book review editorship of International Psychogeriatrics. Such ebooks may be the way of the future, though the price of this one does not seem that low considering that one then has to print the book and put it in some sort of binder for long term reference use.

The editors, who also publish in areas of pharmacology other than CNS disorders, have assembled 11 chapters by scientists with expertise in such matters as developing treatments for prion disorders, neural stem cells for neurodegenerative diseases, essential polyunsaturated fatty acids as new treatments for neurodegenerative disorders, and subjects with less immediate relevance to old age psychiatry such as epigenetic modifications as novel targets for drug addiction. The chapters seem well written, but I lack the detailed expertise to judge their accuracy or the extent to which they are up to date in these rapidly developing areas, though the ebook format should lend itself to rapid dissemination of new knowledge far better than the older hard copy book formats. Frankly, I think the contents will be far too technical for 99% of the readers of International Psychogeriatrics, but if you really want to know about the use of zebrafish to identify new nicotinic and dopaminergic drugs, this is the place to look (though I don't think the excitable lady who was yelling ‘torturer’ at the Camden council's stray cat collecting van as I waited for a bus to come down to University College and write this review today, would be in favour of such activity!). Some libraries might want a copy as may some of our laboratory based pharmacologist colleagues, and judging by the well designed and well organised Bentham Science website (www.benthamscience.com), if you have the money and a desire to own it, the book can be yours very quickly indeed.