This publication focuses on the neuroendocrine functions of excitatory neurotransmitters in the brain known as the excitatory amino acid transmitters (EAAs). EEAs, such as glutamate and aspartate, regulate the release of pituitary hormones which in-turn effect most of the physiological systems in the body. This book gives detailed coverage of the role of EAAs in reproduction, growth, the stress axis, seasonal breeding, puberty, learning, and memory.
The symposium on Acoustical Signal Processing in the Central Auditory System which was held in Prague on September 4--7, 1996 was the third in a series organized in Prague, after the Neuronal Mechanisms of Hearing symposium in 1980 and Auditory Pathway - Structure and Function symposium in 1987. Approximately 100 scientists regis tered for the symposium and presented 82 separate papers and posters. The present vol ume contains 53 of these contributions, mostly presented at the symposium as invited review papers. Several essential changes occurred since the previous meeting in 1987. In auditory neuroscience, recently developed methods opened new horizons in the investigation of the structure and function of the central auditory pathway. Methods like c-fos tracing tech niques and monoclonal antibodies for neurotransmitters and their receptors, like the intro duction of electrophysiological recording from brain slices have made possible new insights into the function of individual neurons and their interconnections, particularly in the cochlear nuclei and in the superior olivary complex. Integrative approaches towards understanding the central auditory function started to dominate in the field. It is not easy at the present time to differentiate between purely morphological and neurochemical ap proaches; similarly electrophysiological approaches are accompanied inevitably by behav ioral and psychophysical studies. The understanding of human brain function advanced significantly during the last several years. mainly due to the contribution of magneto encephalography. positron emission tomography and functional nuclear magnetic reso nance imaging.
Glutamate receptors (GluRs) in the central nervous system have been the subject of intense investigations for several decades, providing new avenues for the understanding of excitatory neurotransmission, excitotoxicity, mechanisms of injury, and therapeutics for several acute neurological conditions, such as brain trauma, and for neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders including addictions, Alzheimer disease, etc. Evidences of GluRs beyond the central nervous system were first reported in the early 1990s. When the idea of this book was conceived, the knowledge, specificity, and functional significance of GluRs in peripheral tissues was still in its embryonic stage. From our perspective, the idea of GluRs in peripheral tissues arose from our research on seafood toxins (see Chapter 1), and has now been reinforced by the results of other scientists working in similar areas. In this book, we have invited some of the leading authorities in the field to summarize their findings and to provide a framework for further investigations. The book is divided into three sections— Part I is on general concepts and concentrates on the distribution and cell-specific localiza tion of glutamate receptors, their transporters, and the pharmacology in peripheral tissues and organs. Part II emphasizes the presence and implications of these receptors in specific target tissues, organs, and systems, including liver, lungs, endocrine tissues, bone, immune system, etc. Part III focuses on glutamate receptors in plants to illustrate their presence beyond the animal kingdom.
A comprehensive survey of recent advances made in characterizing neurotransmitter transporters-including their imaging in the living brain-and in elucidating the processes underlying biological transport. The expert contributors present up-to-date findings on the molecular cloning of transporters and on neurotransmitter families both in plasma membranes and in storage vesicles. They also provide essential information on the structure-activity relationships for a multitude of recently synthesized dopamine uptake blockers, on transporter changes in the context of human drug abuse, and on the role of transporters in the action of uptake blockers in vivo. The book opens the new frontier of transporters research, authoritatively presenting new insights into their roles in such diseases as brain ischemia and ALS, and into their involvement as targets for antidepressants, antiepileptics, drugs of abuse, and neurotoxins.
First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines. This volume focuses on sleep hormones. Contributions from leading authorities Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field
GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is the main neurotransmitter regulating sleep. The majority of drugs presently in use for the treatment of sleep disorders act by enhancing GABAergic neuronal inhibition. The GABA system is, therefore, of prime clinical relevance for the therapy of insomnia. The focus of this volume is on the neuropsychopharmacology and the clinical impact of the GABA system in regulating sleep and wakefulness. It presents molecular, neuropharmacological, systems-biological and clinical approaches to the understanding of the mechanism of action of GABA and GABAergic drugs. It also explores the role of GABA in the basic drives that affect sleep, and the influences that adapt sleep and wakefulness to external events.
The Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors provides the first detailed survey of the biochemical, physiological, and pharmacological properties of recombinant ionotropic glutamate receptors. The distinguished contributors show how the molecular characteristics of these receptors account for many of the properties of native ionotropic glutamate receptors. They also examine in detail the properties of glutamate receptor subunits, including receptor modulation by phosphorylation and the anatomical localization of specific glutamate receptor subunits as determined by in situ hybridization and immunochemistry. The Ionotropic Glutamate Receptors conveys the first clear insights into the molecular bases underlying the wealth of pharmacological and physiological data on these receptors.
The volume presents a comprehensive and up-to-date treatise of the glutamatergic synapse and its environment. Particular emphasis is on the localizations of the molecular constituents of the synaptic machinery. Immunogold and other high-resolution methods are used extensively. Each chapter presents new data that have not previously been reviewed. The material presented forms the basis for work directed to understanding the functional properties of excitatory synapses in greater depth, to discover mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders and novel methods for treatment. Chapter 1 deals with the transmitter molecule itself, mechanisms of release and pathways for glutamate synthesis. The anatomy of glutamatergic nerve projection pathways in different brain regions is dealt with. In Chapter 2, focus is on aspartate, the enigmatic congener of glutamate, and its possible role in excitatory neurotransmission. Chapters 3 through 6 deal with glutamate receptors. Metabotropic glutamate receptors are presented in Chapter 3. Chapter 4 presents an in situ hybridization atlas of the different classes of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The localizations of these receptors at the regional and synaptic level are presented in Chapter 5. The ways in which the receptors are brought to the synapse and held in position are the subject of Chapter 6. Chapter 7 deals with the enzymes responsible for formation and catabolism of glutamate. In Chapter 8, the regulation of extracellular glutamate levels by glutamate transporters is discussed. The final two chapters of the volume focus on two "model synapses" that, due to special features, lend themselves particularly well to demonstrating properties of glutamatergic synapses. The hair cell-to-afferent nerve terminal synapses in the inner ear (Chapter 9), with their supporting cells, share essential properties with glutamatergic synapses in the central nervous system. The salient features of the latter are illustrated by the synapses of the giant reticulo-spinal axons of the lamprey, used to unravel molecular mechanisms of the cycling of synaptic vesicles (Chapter 10).
Min Li and a panel of hands-on experimentalists detail state-of-the-art molecular techniques for studying NMDA ligand-gated ion channels and developing assays for nontherapeutic lead selection. The topics range from cDNA cloning to in vitro and in vivo investigation of the channel complex in the mammalian brain. Additional topics include the biochemical analysis of the channel protein and the construction of various heterologous systems for both basic research and high throughput screens (HTS) for pharmaceutical chemicals. Although the focus is on NMDA receptors, the methods are applicable to other ligand-gated ion channels and with some modification may be extended to related membrane signaling receptors. NMDA Receptor Protocols offers today's scientists powerful methods for basic research on NMDA receptor structure and function, as well as enormous opportunities for clinical investigation toward the development of novel bioactive compounds.
