The Blood Brain Barrier (BBB)


Book Description

Medicinal chemistry is both science and art. The science of medicinal chemistry offers mankind one of its best hopes for improving the quality of life. The art of medicinal chemistry continues to challenge its practitioners with the need for both intuition and experience to discover new drugs. Hence sharing the experience of drug research is uniquely beneficial to the field of medicinal chemistry. Drug research requires interdisciplinary team-work at the interface between chemistry, biology and medicine. Therefore, the topic-related series Topics in Medicinal Chemistry covers all relevant aspects of drug research, e.g. pathobiochemistry of diseases, identification and validation of (emerging) drug targets, structural biology, drugability of targets, drug design approaches, chemogenomics, synthetic chemistry including combinatorial methods, bioorganic chemistry, natural compounds, high-throughput screening, pharmacological in vitro and in vivo investigations, drug-receptor interactions on the molecular level, structure-activity relationships, drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, toxicology and pharmacogenomics. In general, special volumes are edited by well known guest editors.




Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies


Book Description

Jasper's Basic Mechanisms, Fourth Edition, is the newest most ambitious and now clinically relevant publishing project to build on the four-decade legacy of the Jasper's series. In keeping with the original goal of searching for "a better understanding of the epilepsies and rational methods of prevention and treatment.", the book represents an encyclopedic compendium neurobiological mechanisms of seizures, epileptogenesis, epilepsy genetics and comordid conditions. Of practical importance to the clinician, and new to this edition are disease mechanisms of genetic epilepsies and therapeutic approaches, ranging from novel antiepileptic drug targets to cell and gene therapies.




Glucocorticoid Signaling


Book Description

This timely volume provides a comprehensive overview of glucocorticoids and their role in regulating many aspects of physiology and their use in the treatment of disease. The book is broken into four sections that begin by giving a general introduction to glucocorticoids and a brief history of the field. The second section will discuss the effects of glucocorticoids on metabolism, while the third section will cover the effects of glucocorticoids on key tissues. The final section will discuss general topics, such as animal models in glucocorticoid research and clinical implications of glucocorticoid research. Featuring chapters from leaders in the field, this volume will be of interest to both researchers and clinicians.




Neurobiology of Steroids


Book Description

Steroid hormones are unique compounds in that they are active at the interface of peripheral endocrine events and neural mechanisms. Thus their effects present an important peripheral signaling system to alter brain function. This volume presents state-of-the-art and classical techniques for the study of steroid hormones and their receptors and their effects and actions. - Comprehensive protocols included for the study of Steroid kinetics and metabolism - Steroid receptors - Molecular and cellular effects of steroids - Steroid effects on integrated systems




Gene Regulation, Epigenetics and Hormone Signaling


Book Description

The first of its kind, this reference gives a comprehensive but concise introduction to epigenetics before covering the many interactions between hormone regulation and epigenetics at all levels. The contents are very well structured with no overlaps between chapters, and each one features supplementary material for use in presentations. Throughout, major emphasis is placed on pathological conditions, aiming at the many physiologists and developmental biologists who are familiar with the importance and mechanisms of hormone regulation but have a limited background in epigenetics.




Sex Hormones in Neurodegenerative Processes and Diseases


Book Description

The book provides chapters on sex hormones and their modulation in neurodegenerative processes and pathologies, from basic molecular mechanisms, physiology, gender differences, to neuroprotection and clinical aspects for potential novel pharmacotherapy approaches. The book contains 14 chapters written by authors from various biomedical professions, from basic researchers in biology and physiology to medicine and veterinary medicine, pharmacologists, psychiatrist, etc. Chapters sum up the past and current knowledge on sex hormones, representing original new insights into their role in brain functioning, mental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. The book is written for a broad range of audience, from biomedical students to highly profiled medical specialists and biomedical researchers, helping them to expand their knowledge on sex hormones in neurodegenerative processes and opening new questions for further investigation.




Neurobiology of Body Fluid Homeostasis


Book Description

A timely symposium entitled Body-Fluid Homeostasis: Transduction and Integration was held at Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil in 2011. This meeting was convened as an official satellite of a joint gathering of the International Society for Autonomic Neuroscience (ISAN) and the American Autonomic Society (AAS) held in Buzios, Rio de Janeiro. Broad international participation at this event generated stimulating discussion among the invited speakers, leading to the publication of Neurobiology of Body Fluid Homeostasis: Transduction and Integration. Drawn from the proceedings and filled with rich examples of integrative neurobiology and regulatory physiology, this volume: Provides updated research using human and animal models for the control of bodily fluids, thirst, and salt appetite Explores neural and endocrine control of body fluid balance, arterial pressure, thermoregulation, and ingestive behavior Discusses recent developments in molecular genetics, cell biology, and behavioral plasticity Reviews key aspects of brain serotonin and steroid and peptide control of fluid consumption and arterial pressure The book highlights research conducted by leading scientists on signal transduction and sensory afferent mechanisms, molecular genetics, perinatal and adult long-term influences on regulation, central neural integrative circuitry, and autonomic/neuroendocrine effector systems. The findings discussed by the learned contributors are relevant for a basic understanding of disorders such as heat injury, hypertension, and excess salt intake. A unique reference on the neurobiology of body fluid homeostasis, this volume is certain to fuel additional research and stimulate further debate on the topic.




Anabolic-Androgenic Steroids


Book Description

This volume was planned to provide a comprehensive survey of the role of the anabolic-androgenic steroids in the vital economy exclusive of the androgenic (sexual) functions. It seemed appropriate to bring together all of this information in an organized fashion in one volume at this time not only to serve as a source of information but also to indicate and suggest areas that need further exploration. The anabolic action of the steroid hormones has gone through a period of great activity in both basic and clinical research. A complete understanding of the manifold anabolic effects still remains to be elucidated and the art of clinical application is only gradually becoming apparent. This volume should be useful not only to the experienced investigator in both basic and clinical research but also for the novice. Furthermore, it should serve as a source of information for the careful use of these steroids in certain metabolic diseases. These steroids have had wide clinical application with variable results. In many instances further careful exploration is suggested. Other instances have demonstrated varying degrees of usefulness.




Dynamics of Brain Edema


Book Description

A workshop on Dynamic Aspects of Cerebral Edema was organized to pro vide an opport~nitY,for interdisciplinary and detailed consideration of this subject, so crucial in neurology and neurosurgery. The previ ous workshops were held in Vienna in 1965 and in Mainz in 1972. In the meantime, our ideas on mechanisms of resolution of cerebral edema had been changing drastically. Controversy had arisen regarding the role of biogenic amines in the development of edema. Active work in several centers had indicated the possibility of a reversible compo nent in edematous changes associated with ischemia, the control of which could be of therapeutic significance in the problem of stroke. It was felt that a thorough discussion, at this time, by those involv ed in these various studies should help to resolve the controversies, to crystallize the implications of the new findings, and to evaluate their application for patient care. In preparing the proceedings for publication we have edited the manu scripts and selected the discussions with an aim to highlight new find ings, to make this volume readable, and to eliminate duplication. We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the institutions and organizations previously listed. Many individuals contributed to the success of the workshop and the preparation of the proceedings for publication. Doctors J.B. Brierley, I. Klatzo, H.J. Reulen, and A.G.




An Introduction to Neuroendocrinology


Book Description

This book is designed as an introductory text in neuroendocrinology; the study of the interaction between the brain and endocrine system and the influence of this on behaviour. The endocrine glands, pituitary gland and hypothalamus and their interactions and hormones are discussed. The action of steroid and thyroid hormone receptors and the regulation of target cell response to hormones is examined. The function of neuropeptides is discussed with respect to the neuroendocrine system and behaviour. The neuroimmune system and lymphokines are described and the interaction between the neuroendocrine and neuroimmune systems discussed. Finally, methods for studying hormonal influences on behaviour are outlined. Each chapter has review and essay questions designed for advanced students and honours or graduate students with a background in neuroscience, respectively.