Glial cells are commonly viewed as subordinate players to the functional requirements of neighbouring neurons - in normal as well as pathological conditions. These neuron-glial interactions are crucial for the development, maintenance, plasticity and repair of the nervous system. They are also dependent upon and/or influenced by interactions between glial cells themselves.
This e-book will review special features of the cerebral circulation and how they contribute to the physiology of the brain. It describes structural and functional properties of the cerebral circulation that are unique to the brain, an organ with high metabolic demands and the need for tight water and ion homeostasis. Autoregulation is pronounced in the brain, with myogenic, metabolic and neurogenic mechanisms contributing to maintain relatively constant blood flow during both increases and decreases in pressure. In addition, unlike peripheral organs where the majority of vascular resistance resides in small arteries and arterioles, large extracranial and intracranial arteries contribute significantly to vascular resistance in the brain. The prominent role of large arteries in cerebrovascular resistance helps maintain blood flow and protect downstream vessels during changes in perfusion pressure. The cerebral endothelium is also unique in that its barrier properties are in some way more like epithelium than endothelium in the periphery. The cerebral endothelium, known as the blood-brain barrier, has specialized tight junctions that do not allow ions to pass freely and has very low hydraulic conductivity and transcellular transport. This special configuration modifies Starling's forces in the brain microcirculation such that ions retained in the vascular lumen oppose water movement due to hydrostatic pressure. Tight water regulation is necessary in the brain because it has limited capacity for expansion within the skull. Increased intracranial pressure due to vasogenic edema can cause severe neurologic complications and death.
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
Classically, manipulations of the cranium address the sutures, the membranes and the circulation of cerebral spinal fluid. The proper functioning of these elements requires not only the mechanical harmony of the craniosacral system, but relies also on the exchange of information organized around proprioceptors, baroreceptors and chemoreceptors. These receptors are extremely sensitive. It is the nervous system -cranial nerves and the autonomic nervous system - which transports this intelligence. Neural dysfunctions have, therefore the ability to disturb the fundamental components of the primary respiratory mechanism. Entirely new, original and abundantly illustrated, this book is an essential guide with which to visualize and become familiar with the cranial nerves. It will teach the practitioner manipulations of this delicate neural system as well as new techniques which permit one to have an effect on the most precious part of the cranium: the brain.
Atlas of Histology of the Juvenile Rat should be of interest to toxicologic pathologists, toxicologists, and other biological scientists who are interested in the histomorphology of juvenile rats. For several decades the laboratory rat has been used extensively in nonclinical toxicology studies designed to detect potential human toxicity of drugs, agrochemicals, industrial chemicals, and environmental hazards. These studies traditionally have involved young adult rats that are 8-10 weeks of age as studies are started. It is becoming increasingly apparent that children and young animals may have different responses to drug/chemical exposures, therefore, regulatory agencies are emphasizing toxicology studies in juvenile animals. While the histologic features of organs from young adult and aged laboratory rats are well known, less is known about the histologic features of organs from juvenile rats. Final histologic maturity of many organs is achieved postnatally, thus immature histologic features must be distinguished from chemical- or drug-related effects. While this postnatal organ development is known to exist as a general concept, detailed information regarding postnatal histologic development is not readily available. The Atlas includes organs that are typically sampled in nonclinical toxicology studies and presents the histologic features at weekly intervals, starting at birth and extending through postnatal day 42. - Written and edited by highly experienced, board-certified toxicologic pathologists - Includes more than 700 high-resolution microscopic images from organs that are typically examined in safety assessment toxicology studies - Detailed figure legends and chapter narratives present the salient features of each organ at each time interval - Figures are available for further study via Elsevier's Virtual Microscope, which allows viewing of microscopic images at higher magnification - Valuable resource for toxicologic pathologists who are confronted with interpretation of lesions in juvenile rats in situations where age-matched concurrent controls are not available for comparison, e.g., with unscheduled decedents - Figures are available for further study on ScienceDirect with Virtual Microscope, which allows viewing of microscopic images at higher magnification
This volume discusses current research on glial-neuronal interactions in several neuroendocrine systems. Glial-neuronal bidirectional transmission represents one of the fastest-growing areas of investigation in neuroscience today. Unraveling the interactions and signaling synergy between glial cells and neurons is critical to advancing our understanding of brain function. Consequently, this book summarizes the latest findings on the roles of astrocytes, microglia and tanycytes in the control of synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, blood-brain signaling, neuroinflammation and immune signaling. In addition, leading experts in the field discuss how reproductive function, the stress response and energy homeostasis are regulated by glial-neuronal communication. Given its scope, the book is essential reading for undergraduate and graduate students in the neurosciences, as well as postdoctoral fellows and established researchers who are looking for a comprehensive overview of glial-neuronal crosstalk in neuroendocrine systems. This is the eleventh volume in the International Neuroendocrine Federation (INF) Masterclass in Neuroendocrinology series (Volumes 1-7 published by Wiley), which aims to illustrate the highest standards and highlight the latest technologies in basic and clinical research, and aspires to provide inspiration for further exploration into the exciting field of neuroendocrinology.
The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex neural network embedded in the gut wall that orchestrates the reflex behaviors of the intestine. The ENS is often referred to as the “little brain” in the gut because the ENS is more similar in size, complexity and autonomy to the central nervous system (CNS) than other components of the autonomic nervous system. Like the brain, the ENS is composed of neurons that are surrounded by glial cells. Enteric glia are a unique type of peripheral glia that are similar to astrocytes of the CNS. Yet enteric glial cells also differ from astrocytes in many important ways. The roles of enteric glial cell populations in the gut are beginning to come to light and recent evidence implicates enteric glia in almost every aspect of gastrointestinal physiology and pathophysiology. However, elucidating the exact mechanisms by which enteric glia influence gastrointestinal physiology and identifying how those roles are altered during gastrointestinal pathophysiology remain areas of intense research. The purpose of this e-book is to provide an introduction to enteric glial cells and to act as a resource for ongoing studies on this fascinating population of glia. Table of Contents: Introduction / A Historical Perspective on Enteric Glia / Enteric Glia: The Astroglia of the Gut / Molecular Composition of Enteric Glia / Development of Enteric Glia / Functional Roles of Enteric Glia / Enteric Glia and Disease Processes in the Gut / Concluding Remarks / References / Author Biography
Glial Physiology and Pathophysiology provides a comprehensive, advanced text on the biology and pathology of glial cells. Coverage includes: the morphology and interrelationships between glial cells and neurones in different parts of the nervous systems the cellular physiology of the different kinds of glial cells the mechanisms of intra- and inter-cellular signalling in glial networks the mechanisms of glial-neuronal communications the role of glial cells in synaptic plasticity, neuronal survival and development of nervous system the cellular and molecular mechanisms of metabolic neuronal-glial interactions the role of glia in nervous system pathology, including pathology of glial cells and associated diseases - for example, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's, Alexander disease and Parkinson's Neuroglia oversee the birth and development of neurones, the establishment of interneuronal connections (the 'connectome'), the maintenance and removal of these inter-neuronal connections, writing of the nervous system components, adult neurogenesis, the energetics of nervous tissue, metabolism of neurotransmitters, regulation of ion composition of the interstitial space and many, many more homeostatic functions. This book primes the reader towards the notion that nervous tissue is not divided into more important and less important cells. The nervous tissue functions because of the coherent and concerted action of many different cell types, each contributing to an ultimate output. This reaches its zenith in humans, with the creation of thoughts, underlying acquisition of knowledge, its analysis and synthesis, and contemplating the Universe and our place in it. An up-to-date and fully referenced text on the most numerous cells in the human brain Detailed coverage of the morphology and interrelationships between glial cells and neurones in different parts of the nervous system Describes the role of glial cells in neuropathology Focus boxes highlight key points and summarise important facts Companion website with downloadable figures and slides
This book provides a comprehensive reference to major neural interfacing technologies used to transmit signals between the physical world and the nervous system for repairing, restoring and even augmenting body functions. The authors discuss the classic approaches for neural interfacing, the major challenges encountered, and recent, emerging techniques to mitigate these challenges for better chronic performances. Readers will benefit from this book’s unprecedented scope and depth of coverage on the technology of neural interfaces, the most critical component in any type of neural prostheses. Provides comprehensive coverage of major neural interfacing technologies; Reviews and discusses both classic and latest, emerging topics; Includes classification of technologies to provide an easy grasp of research and trends in the field.
The use of animal models is a key aspect of scientific research in numerous fields of medicine. This book vigorously examines the important contributions and application of animal models to the understanding of human movement disorders and will serve as an essential resource for basic neuroscientists engaged in movement disorders research. Academic clinicians, translational researchers and basic scientists are brought together to connect experimental findings made in different animal models to the clinical features, pathophysiology and treatment of human movement disorders. A vital feature of this book is an accompanying DVD with video clips of human movement disorders and their corresponding animal models. The book is divided into sections on Parkinson disease, Huntington disease, dystonia, tremor, paroxysmal movement disorders, ataxia, myoclonus, restless legs syndrome, drug-induced movement disorders, multiple system atrophy, progressive supranuclear palsy/corticobasal degeneration and spasticity. This book serves as an essential resource for both clinicians interested in the science being generated with animal models and basic scientists studying the pathogenesis of particular movement disorders.* Provides a single comprehensive resource on animal models of movement disorders that academic clinicians, translational researchers, and basic neuroscientists can refer to* Includes contributions by expert movement disorder clinicians and top-level researchers in the field* Features a DVD containing over 170 video clips of human movement disorders and the corresponding animal models
