Neuroscience Biomarkers and Biosignatures


Book Description

Biomarkers, or biological markers, are quantitative measurements that offer researchers and clinicians valuable insight into diagnosis, treatment and prognosis for many disorders and diseases. A major goal in neuroscience medical research is establishing biomarkers for disorders of the nervous system. Given the promising potential and necessity for neuroscience biomarkers, the Institute of Medicine Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders convened a public workshop and released the workshop summary entitled Neuroscience Biomarkers and Biosignatures: Converging Technologies, Emerging Partnerships. The workshop brought together experts from multiple areas to discuss the most promising and practical arenas in neuroscience in which biomarkers will have the greatest impact. The main objective of the workshop was to identify and discuss biomarker targets that are not currently being aggressively pursued but that could have the greatest near-term impact on the rate at which new treatments are brought forward for psychiatric and neurological disorders.




Biomarkers of Brain Injury and Neurological Disorders


Book Description

This book explores the recent advances in the techniques and platforms used in biomarker research that have revolutionized the way we study, diagnose, and treat brain injury conditions. The contributors describe different biomarker studies pertaining to brain injury and other neurological disorders and analyze the different models and technologies used to identify these biological markers. The book includes findings from "Omics research" that have been utilized to decipher and identify such biomarkers. It discusses protein, microRNA, and altered gene profiles and reviews neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, and prion and Alzheimer’s disease.




Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury


Book Description

Due to injuries sustained in sports and in combat, interest in TBI has never been greater. Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury will fulfil a gap in our understanding of what is occurring in the brain following injury that can subsequently be detected in biological fluids and imaging. This knowledge will be useful for all researchers and clinicians interested in the biochemical and structural sequelae underpinning clinical manifestations of TBI and help guide appropriate patient management. Current and prospective biomarkers for the assessment of traumatic brain injury (TBI), particularly mild TBI, are examined using a multidisciplinary approach involving biochemistry, molecular biology, and clinical chemistry. The book incorporates presentations from outstanding researchers and clinicians in the area and describes advanced proteomic and degradomic technologies in the development of novel biomarker assays. For practical purposes, the focus of this volume is on detection of blood-based biomarkers to improve diagnostic certainty of mild TBI in conjunction with radiological and clinical findings. It represents contributions from internationally-recognized researchers at the forefront of traumatic brain injury many of whom are recipients of grants and contracts from the United States Department of Defense for research specifically on developing diagnostic tests for TBI. The book will be essential reading for scientists, pharmacologists, chemists, medical and graduate students.




Functional Neurologic Disorders


Book Description

Functional Neurologic Disorders, the latest volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, summarizes state-of-the-art research findings and clinical practice on this class of disorders at the interface between neurology and psychiatry. This 51-chapter volume offers an historical introduction, chapters on epidemiology and pathophysiolology, a large section on the clinical features of different type of functional neurologic symptoms and disorders (including functional movement disorders, non-epileptic seizures, dizziness, vision, hearing, speech and cognitive symptoms), and then concluding with approaches to therapy. This group of internationally acclaimed experts in neurology, psychiatry, and neuroscience represent a broad spectrum of areas of expertise, chosen for their ability to write clearly and concisely with an eye toward a clinical audience. This HCN volume sets a new landmark standard for a comprehensive, multi-authored work dealing with functional neurologic disorders (also described as psychogenic, dissociative or conversion disorders). - Offers a comprehensive interdisciplinary approach for the care of patients with functional disorders seen in neurologic practice, leading to more efficient prevention, management, and treatment - Provides a synthesis of research efforts incorporating clinical, brain imaging and neurophysiological studies - Fills an existing gap between traditional neurology and traditional psychiatry - Contents include coverage of history, epidemiology, clinical presentations, and therapy - Edited work with chapters authored by leaders in the field, the broadest, most expert coverage available




Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers


Book Description

This volume covers the latest methods used in clinical neurochemistry laboratories for both clinical practice and research. Chapters in this book discuss topics such as techniques for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection, pre-analytical processing, and basic CSF analysis; an examination of biomarkers including ELISA and automated immunochemical assays for amyloid and tau markers for Alzheimer’s disease; the analysis of neurofilaments by digital ELISA; and an example of successful novel immunoassay development. In the Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory. Cutting-edge and thorough, Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers is a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers to use in CSF labs and CSF courses.




Brain Neurotrauma


Book Description

With the contribution from more than one hundred CNS neurotrauma experts, this book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account on the latest developments in the area of neurotrauma including biomarker studies, experimental models, diagnostic methods, and neurotherapeutic intervention strategies in brain injury research. It discusses neurotrauma mechanisms, biomarker discovery, and neurocognitive and neurobehavioral deficits. Also included are medical interventions and recent neurotherapeutics used in the area of brain injury that have been translated to the area of rehabilitation research. In addition, a section is devoted to models of milder CNS injury, including sports injuries.




MicroRNAs in Diseases and Disorders


Book Description

From pathology to treatment, MicroRNAs in Diseases and Disorders highlights the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development and progression of a variety of diseases, including cancer, neurological disease, endocrine disease and autoimmune disease, and underscores the utilization of miRNA targets in the treatment of these conditions. Providing a comprehensive account, this book also includes the identification of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for disease, as well as evaluates translational value from clinical trials using synthesized and functionalized miRNA mimics and inhibitors. With a global contribution list and chapters from leading experts across the field, MicroRNAs in Diseases and Disorders is an invaluable reference to miRNA researchers and health professionals in a variety of disease areas in government, academia and industry. The book will also appeal to pharmaceutical and medicinal chemists with an interest in miRNA targeting therapeutics, as well as to advanced students in chemical biology and drug discovery.




The Neurobiology of Aging and Alzheimer Disease in Down Syndrome


Book Description

The Neurobiology of Aging and Alzheimer Disease in Down Syndrome provides a multidisciplinary approach to the understanding of aging and Alzheimer disease in Down syndrome that is synergistic and focused on efforts to understand the neurobiology as it pertains to interventions that will slow or prevent disease. The book provides detailed knowledge of key molecular aspects of aging and neurodegeneration in Down Syndrome by bringing together different models of the diseases and highlighting multiple techniques. Additionally, it includes case studies and coverage of neuroimaging, neuropathological and biomarker changes associated with these cohorts. This is a must-have resource for researchers who work with or study aging and Alzheimer disease either in the general population or in people with Down syndrome, for academic and general physicians who interact with sporadic dementia patients and need more information about Down syndrome, and for new investigators to the aging and Alzheimer/Down syndrome arena. - Discusses the complexities involved with aging and Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome - Summarizes the neurobiology of aging that requires management in adults with DS and leads to healthier aging and better quality of life into old age - Serves as learning tool to orient researchers to the key challenges and offers insights to help establish critical areas of need for further research




Brain and Spinal Cord Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis


Book Description

Intended for general neurologists as well as specialists in multiple sclerosis (MS) and imaging, this book provides comprehensive discussion of central nervous system (CNS) atrophy involving the brain and spinal cord, and both the chapter authors and topics have been selected to provide state-of-the-art reviews. Key issues covered in the book include pathogenesis and its mechanisms, technical aspects of MRI measurement, the relationship between CNS atrophy and other MRI metrics, clinical relevance, the association with neurobehavioral and genetic-immunologic components of MS, and the effects of disease-modifying therapies on tissue atrophy. Pros and cons of different technical approaches are discussed critically. Special attention is devoted to CNS atrophy as a clinically relevant biologic marker of the MS disease process.




Neuro-Geriatrics


Book Description

This manual takes a multidisciplinary approach to neurological disorders in the elderly. Comprehensive and practical, it includes the most recent diagnostic criteria and immediately accessible visual care paths including the latest pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions. Covering a range of modalities, from the importance and impact of each disease to diagnostic criteria, genetics, laboratory and imaging findings, treatment and care paths, this book focuses on neurological conditions that occur commonly in older persons or which have a striking effect on their lives. The common types of dementias, Parkinson’s disease and related disorders, rapidly progressive diseases, seizure disorders and multiple sclerosis are covered. Issues commonly affecting this population, such as neurobehavioral symptoms and caregiver issues, are discussed. Neuro-Geriatrics: A Clinical Manual is aimed at any physician who treats the elderly with neurological disorders: neurologists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists, both specialists and general practitioners.