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This volume provides an up-to-date survey of current thinking concerning the actions of chemical factors in the regulation of neuronal behaviour under normal and pathological conditions. The book is divided into four sections, dealing with chemical factors involved with the formation of axon pathways, factors involved with neuronal survival and specialization during normal development, factors involved in normal maintenance and repair of adult neurons and, finally, factors that have been implicated as mediators of degenerative changes in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
The pharmacology of neurotrophic factors is part of the general field called neuroprotection or neurodegeneration, which has emerged during the past two decades. This new broad research area has identified molecular mechanisms that regulate the morphological plasticity of the nervous system and, in con sequence, discovered novel pharmacological approaches to manipulate these processes in disease states. The new, structural neuropharmacology as de scribed in this volume attempts to regulate the anatomic aspects of the nervous system and is perhaps comparable to hardware manipulation in computer systems. In contrast, classical neuropharmacology identified multiple ways to modify the function of existing synapses or ion channels in the nervous system, comparable to software manipulations in the computer field. The pharmacol ogy of neurotrophic factor is at an early stage and has not produced any major drugs yet. However, the first quintessential clinical trials have been carried out in the past two years or are currently in progress. Rapid further advances can be expected. The discovery of nerve growth factor (NGF), the first protein known to promote survival and growth of nerve cells, led to the discovery of a family of related proteins, the neurotrophins and their receptors. This concept was generalized to incorporate many other protein families that are included in the functional definition of neurotrophic factors, i. e. , proteins able to regulate survival and differentiation of neurons.
Growth Factors and Receptors: A Practical Approach provides comprehensive protocols for studies of growth factors and their interactions with receptors. It covers a wide range from simple analytical techniques to sophisticated in vivo applications including: RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry for detection of growth factors and receptors; production and purification of recombinant growth factors and receptors; labelling of growth factors for binding studies; in vivo mutagenesis; the yeast two-hybrid assay of proteinprotein interactions; phage display of factors; application of factors to wound-healing processes using the gene gun; treatment of cancers with factor/toxin chimeras; and analysis of important factor domains using chimeric proteins. This book updates and extends the current literature and describes important novel approaches to the study of growth factors and their receptors, including the use of RNA aptamers as receptor antagonists, and the development of receptor superantagonists. It will be of tremendous value to both researchers and teachers, and, through an appendix that lists a large number of growth factors and receptors, will serve as a handy reference text.
"The Handbook is intended to be a service to the neuroscience community, to help in finding available and useful information, to point out gaps in our knowledge, and to encourage continued studies. It represents the valuable contributions of the many authors of the chapters and the guidance of the editors and most important, it represents support for research in this discipline. Based on the rapid advances in the years since the second edition."--Publisher's website.
Despite enormous advances made in the development of external effector prosthetics over the last quarter century, significant questions remain, especially those concerning signal degradation that occurs with chronically implanted neuroelectrodes. Offering contributions from pioneering researchers in neuroprosthetics and tissue repair, Indwel
Degeneration and Regeneration in the Nervous System brings together an international team of contributors to produce a series of critical reviews appraising key papers in the field. The pace of research on brain and spinal cord injury quickened considerably in the last ten years and there is much that is new and important that is covered in this book. However, there is still a long way to go before our knowledge will explain fully why the central nervous system has such a limited capacity for regeneration, and before experimental solutions can be applied to the patient. With emphasis on actual and therapeutic importance of the work reviewed, Degeneration and Regeneration in the Nervous System is a useful overview for graduate students, their teachers and researchers working in this field.
The brain ... There is no other part of the human anatomy that is so intriguing. How does it develop and function and why does it sometimes, tragically, degenerate? The answers are complex. In Discovering the Brain, science writer Sandra Ackerman cuts through the complexity to bring this vital topic to the public. The 1990s were declared the "Decade of the Brain" by former President Bush, and the neuroscience community responded with a host of new investigations and conferences. Discovering the Brain is based on the Institute of Medicine conference, Decade of the Brain: Frontiers in Neuroscience and Brain Research. Discovering the Brain is a "field guide" to the brainâ€"an easy-to-read discussion of the brain's physical structure and where functions such as language and music appreciation lie. Ackerman examines: How electrical and chemical signals are conveyed in the brain. The mechanisms by which we see, hear, think, and pay attentionâ€"and how a "gut feeling" actually originates in the brain. Learning and memory retention, including parallels to computer memory and what they might tell us about our own mental capacity. Development of the brain throughout the life span, with a look at the aging brain. Ackerman provides an enlightening chapter on the connection between the brain's physical condition and various mental disorders and notes what progress can realistically be made toward the prevention and treatment of stroke and other ailments. Finally, she explores the potential for major advances during the "Decade of the Brain," with a look at medical imaging techniquesâ€"what various technologies can and cannot tell usâ€"and how the public and private sectors can contribute to continued advances in neuroscience. This highly readable volume will provide the public and policymakersâ€"and many scientists as wellâ€"with a helpful guide to understanding the many discoveries that are sure to be announced throughout the "Decade of the Brain."
International Review of Cytology presents current advances and comprehensive reviews in cell biology--both plant and animal. Articles address structure and control of gene expression, nucleocytoplasmic interactions, control of cell development and differentiation, and cell transformation and growth. Authored by some of the foremost scientists in the field, each volume provides up-to-date information and directions for future research.
Hypo- or hypersecretion, alteration in storage, release, catabolism, and post-translational processing of neuropeptides are associated with the etiology of many diseases affecting the central nervous system (CNS). Various peptides native to the brain and the spinal cord, as well as various synthetic peptides, peptide analogues and peptidomimetics developed as their agonists or antagonists could be useful in the treatment of these CNS maladies. However, peptides face a formidable obstacle in reaching the intended site of action due to the existence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), a vital element in the regulation of the internal environment of the brain and the spinal cord. After reviews on the role and neuropharmaceutical potential of peptides, properties of the BBB in the context of peptide transport in the CNS and potential transport mechanisms to cross the BBB, this volume discusses the development, present state-of-the-art and future trends of various strategies to overcome this major obstacle to peptide pharmacotherapy involving the CNS. Chapters are devoted to cover invasive approaches that circumvent the BBB by direct administration into the brain or the spinal cord and by transiently opening the tight junctions of or permeabilizing the endothelial cells separating the systemic circulation from the interstitial fluid of the CNS. Subsequently, physiologically based strategies that utilize biological carriers to gain access to the CNS are discussed in detail, followed by methods encompassing prodrug and chemical delivery/targeting strategies, which aim at altering the properties of the peptide to enhance BBB transport, and drug delivery strategies based on peptide vectors. Finally, a comparative evaluation on the present status and perspectives of the techniques is presented.
A world list of books in the English language.