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Experimental methods for the mapping of nervous pathways are based partlyon the study of retrograde processes in the perikaryon, partlyon the demonstration of degenerative processes along the peripheral part of a transected axon. For this purpose, the Marchi method by which a selective staining of degenerating myelin is obtained has been extensively used. However, when this method is used the non-myelinated terminals of the transected axons are not stained. The introduction, about two decades ago, of silver impregnation as a means of tracing degenerating axons (especially the Glees and Nauta methods) by which also terminal boutons can be demonstrated, led therefore to revolutionary progress in the investigation of interneuronal connections. Notwithstanding, there are weH known difficulties involved in this kind of research. The capriciousness of the silver methods not seldom results in failure of impregnation with loss of valuable experimental animals. But even when well impregnated sections are used, other fundamental difficulties exist. One of the major problems is to prove beyond doubt that the impregnated structures are degenerating boutons and not merely fragments of non-terminal fibres passing the area under examination. Furthermore, only on occasion will silver impregnation permit one to accurately define the specific part of the receiving neuron on which the impregnated fibres end, i. e. , whether the bouton makes contact with soma, dendrite or spine.
Advances in axon biology are so rapid that every year provides us with a wealth of new facts and observations; hence, this conference cannot reasonable be expected to answer all questions. Rather, its purpose must be to take stock of the available data, to communicate advances and new concepts, and to help us to formulate the goals and approaches for future research. To this end, ample time was allotted during the symposium for discussion, but these exchanges of thoughts cannot, unfortunately, be included in the printed text. We hope that publication of the presentations will provide a valuable source of information on the present state of knowledge on this most important borderland between neuro pathology, neurophysiology and neurochemistry. We would like to express our gratitude to all participants of the symposium for contributing their efforts and for their enthusiasm. We are also indebted to Springer Verlag and Bergmann Verlag for publication of the symposium and for their appreciation of the editorial concerns.
Dynamics of Degeneration and Growth in Neurons is a collection of papers presented at the International Symposium on the Dynamics of Degeneration and Growth in Neurons, held in Stockholm, Sweden, on May 16-18, 1973. Contributors explore the dynamics of degeneration and growth of central and peripheral neurons, touching on a wide range of topics such as the neurotoxic action of 6-hydroxy-dopa on central catecholamine neurons; axonal transport of proteins in growing and regenerating neurons; and collateral reinnervation in the central nervous system. Comprised of 50 chapters, this volume begins with an overview of degeneration processes in central and peripheral neurons. Results of microfluorimetric and neurochemical studies on degenerating and regenerating adrenergic nerves are presented. The next section is devoted to axoplasmic transport as a mechanism for axonal support and growth and includes chapters dealing with the effects of degeneration and axoplasmic transport blockade on synaptic ultrastructure, function, and protein composition; the role of axoplasmic flow in trophism of skeletal muscle; and proximodistal transport of acetylcholine in peripheral cholinergic neurons. The remaining chapters discuss the nerve growth factor receptor and its specific binding in sympathetic ganglia; the noradrenergic innervation of cerebellar Purkinje cells; and the possible role of brain and peripheral monoamines in the ontogenesis of normal and drug-induced responses in the immature mammal. This book will be of interest to physiologists and neurologists.
These books are the result of a conviction held by the editors, authors, and publisher that the time is appropriate for assembling in one place information about functions of the hippocampus derived from many varied lines of research. Because of the explosion of research into the anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and behavioral aspects of the hip pocampus, some means of synthesis of the results from these lines of research was called for. We first thought of a conference. In fact, officials in the National Institute of Mental Health suggested we organize such a conference on the hippocampus, but after a few tentative steps in this direction, interest at the federallevel waned, probably due to the decreases in federal support for research in the basic health sciences so keenly feit in recent years. However, the editors also had co me to the view that conferences are mainly valuabIe to the participants. The broad range of students (of all ages) of brain behavior relations do not profit from conference proceedings unless the proceedings are subsequently published. Furthermore, conferences dealing with the functional character of organ systems approached from many points of view are most successful after participants have become acquainted with each other's work. Therefore, we believe that a book is the best format for disseminating information, and that its publication can be the stimulus for many future conferences.
I received my first introduction to the brain sciences in 1936 and 1937, for me the second and third years of the 7-year medical school curriculum at the University of Leiden. During those years my interest in the subject was aroused in particular by the brilliant lectures of the physiologist G. C. Rademaker - a prominent former member of the Rudolf Magnus school - and the neurohistologist S. T. Bok, noted especially for his histometric studies of the cerebral cortex. Fascinated as I was by everything I learned about the brain from these outstanding teachers, toward the end of their courses I began to notice conspicuous gaps that separated neurophysiology from neuroanatomy. In fact, I could (or thought I could) detect a reasonable concordance between the two sciences only in case of some sensory and somatic-motor systems. For most other functions anatomical substrates seemed either poorly defined or, as in the case of the central viscero-endocrine system, hardly recognized at all. With all the arrogance of which a 20-year old student is capable I concluded that what the brain sciences needed was a new and more complete anatomy that emphasized in particular the continuity of, and convergences or interconnections between individual conduction systems. And I wistfully mused that perhaps at some time in the future I could make such an endeavour part of my own career.