Handbook of Clinical Neurology

The first volume of The Handbook of Clinical Neurology under the editorship of George Bruyn and Pierre Vinken was published in 1968. In 1982, the series was brought to an interim conclusion with the publication of the cumulative index volume (Volume 44). By that stage, the Handbook had come to represent one of the largest scientific works ever published. It enjoys a high reputation in specialist media circles throughout the world.

After the series was concluded in 1982, it was realized that an update of the material was imperative. Accordingly, a revised series was planned and published over the following years, concluding with the publication of another cumulative index to both series (Volume 76-78) in 2002. Since then, George Bruyn has passed away and Pierre Vinken has retired, but the need for a further new series, incorporating advances in the field, again become necessary.

Professors Michael J. Aminoff, François Boller and Dick F. Swaab have with enthusiasm taken on the responsibility of supervising the preparation of a third series, the first volumes of which were published in 2003.

Advances have occurred in both clinical neurology and neurosciences, and these have led to a broader understanding of neurological disorders and have a significant impact on the patient care. Such advances will be covered in the new third series. In addition, new topics that were not considered in the earlier series will also be covered. Systematic inclusion of neurobiological aspects of the nervous system in health and disease will be requested, in order to clarify physiological and pathogenic mechanisms and provide new therapeutic strategies for neurological disorders. Furthermore, each volume in the new series should include data related to epidemiology, imaging, genetics, and therapy.