Dementias

Dementias

Author: S. Govoni

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 311

ISBN-13: 8847021499

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To a certain extent the dementias have been forgotten diseases until just recen tly when they were brought to the attention of the general public and health authorities as a result of the increasing number of cases in the aging popula tion, especially among famous people, and because of the efforts of private foundations. The goals of the present volume are to present the dementias to health prac titioners, to provide some basic information on their epidemiology and biolo gical basis and to discuss the diagnostic and clinical problems that physicians and institutions face when caring for demented patients. This book explores the various types of dementias and is not limited to Alzheimer's disease although, as expected, more information is available and presented on this pathology. On the other hand, a few fundamental questions on dementia can only be answe red through a comparison of the various forms. Examples of such questions are the following: Is the loss of cerebral tissue sufficient to cause dementia? Are there thresholds or is there a continuous progression toward the irreversible development of dementia? Are there common pathways in the dementing pro cess? Are there common risk factors? Comparative analysis allows the common and distinctive patterns of the various dementias to be defined, ultimately lea ding to more focused therapeutic interventions.


Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer’s Disease

Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer’s Disease

Author: A.D. Roses

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 208

ISBN-13: 3642801099

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There is now considerable genetic evidence that the type 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene is a major susceptibility factor associated with late-onset Alzheimer's disease, the common form of the disease defined as starting after sixty years of age. The role of apolipoprotein E in normal brain metabolism and in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease are new and exciting avenues of research. This book, written by the most outstanding scientists in this new filed, is the first presentation of results concerning the implications of apolipoprotein E on the genetics, cell biology, neuropathology, biochemistry, and therapeutic management of Alzheimer's disease.


Alzheimer Disease

Alzheimer Disease

Author: Gérard Emilien

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2003-12-17

Total Pages: 318

ISBN-13: 9783764324261

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Alzheimer disease (AD) has become the most common form of dementia in industrialized countries and represents an increasing burden at the economic, social and medical level. In discussing both the biological aspects of AD as well as the cognitive functions involved, Alzheimer Disease - Neuropsychology and Pharmacology presents a comprehensive picture of the pathology and approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Basic research including animal models, molecular and genetic aspects is also taken into consideration. In part I, the biological correlates of AD are discussed. In part II the neuropsychological aspects such as cognitive impairment, loss of functional autonomy and emergence of neuropsychiatric disturbances of AD are outlined. In part III, strategies for effective treatment and prevention of AD are discussed. This book will be a useful source of information for clinicians as well as researchers in the area of neuropharmacology.


Astrocytes in (Patho)Physiology of the Nervous System

Astrocytes in (Patho)Physiology of the Nervous System

Author: Vladimir Parpura

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2008-12-11

Total Pages: 701

ISBN-13: 0387794921

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Astrocytes were the original neuroglia that Ramón y Cajal visualized in 1913 using a gold sublimate stain. This stain targeted intermediate filaments that we now know consist mainly of glial fibrillary acidic protein, a protein used today as an astrocytic marker. Cajal described the morphological diversity of these cells with some ast- cytes surrounding neurons, while the others are intimately associated with vasculature. We start the book by discussing the heterogeneity of astrocytes using contemporary tools and by calling into question the assumption by classical neuroscience that neurons and glia are derived from distinct pools of progenitor cells. Astrocytes have long been neglected as active participants in intercellular communication and information processing in the central nervous system, in part due to their lack of electrical excitability. The follow up chapters review the “nuts and bolts” of ast- cytic physiology; astrocytes possess a diverse assortment of ion channels, neu- transmitter receptors, and transport mechanisms that enable the astrocytes to respond to many of the same signals that act on neurons. Since astrocytes can detect chemical transmitters that are released from neurons and can release their own extracellular signals there is an increasing awareness that they play physiological roles in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic transmission. In addition to these physiological roles, it is becoming increasingly recognized that astrocytes play critical roles during pathophysiological states of the nervous system; these states include gliomas, Alexander disease, and epilepsy to mention a few.


Iron Physiology and Pathophysiology in Humans

Iron Physiology and Pathophysiology in Humans

Author: Gregory J. Anderson

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-01-14

Total Pages: 705

ISBN-13: 1603274855

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Iron Physiology and Pathophysiology in Humans provides health professionals in many areas of research and practice with the most up-to-date and well-referenced volume on the importance of iron as a nutrient and its role in health and disease. This important new volume is the benchmark in the complex area of interrelationships between the essentiality of iron, its functions throughout the body, including its critical role in erythropoiesis, the biochemistry and clinical relevance of iron-containing enzymes and other molecules involved in iron absorption, transport and metabolism, he importance of optimal iron status on immune function, and links between iron and the liver, heart, brain and other organs. Moreover, the interactions between genetic and environmental factors and the numerous co-morbidities seen with both iron deficiency and iron overload in at risk populations are clearly delineated so that students as well as practitioners can better understand the complexities of these interactions. Key features of the volume include an in-depth index and recommendations and practice guidelines are included in relevant chapters. The volume contains more than 100 detailed tables and informative figures and up-to-date references that provide the reader with excellent sources of information about the critical role of iron nutrition, optimal iron status and the adverse clinical consequences of altered iron homeostasis. Iron Physiology and Pathophysiology in Humans is an excellent new text as well as the most authoritative resource in the field.


Pharmacogenomics in Drug Discovery and Development

Pharmacogenomics in Drug Discovery and Development

Author: Qing Yan

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2022-09-06

Total Pages: 618

ISBN-13: 107162573X

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This new edition offers a state-of-the-art and integrative vision of pharmacogenomics by exploring new concepts and practical methodologies focusing on disease treatments, from cancers to cardiovascular and neurodegenerative disorders and more. The collection of these theoretical and experimental approaches facilitates problem-solving by tackling the complexity of personalized drug discovery and development. Written by leading experts in their fields for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, the book aims to provide across-the-board resources to support the translation of pharmacogenomics into better individualized health care. Authoritative and up-to-date, Pharmacogenomics in Drug Discovery and Development, Third Edition aims to aid researchers in approaching the challenges in pharmacogenomics and personalized medicine with the introduction of these novel ideas and cutting-edge methodologies.


Lysosomes

Lysosomes

Author: Frederick R. Maxfield

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2016-06-22

Total Pages: 586

ISBN-13: 1118978315

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Discussing recent findings, up-to-date research, and novel strategies, the book integrates perspectives from pharmacology, toxicology, and biochemistry to illustrate the potential of lysosomes in drug discovery and development. • Explores basic principles and properties of lysosomes that allow them to act as regulators of cell metabolism, therapeutic targets, and sites for activation of drug conjugates • Discusses the role of lysosomes in metabolism, drug targeting, apoptosis, cancer, aging, inflammation, autophagy, metabolism, toxicity, and membrane repair • Introduces new pathways in therapeutic development and new mechanisms in drug development


Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Health and Disease

Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Health and Disease

Author: Patrizia Agostinis

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-08-13

Total Pages: 448

ISBN-13: 9400743513

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The Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) is an organelle with extraordinary signaling and homeostatic functions. It is the organelle responsible for protein folding, maturation, quality control and trafficking of proteins destined for the plasma membrane or for secretion into the extracellular environment. Failure, overloading or malfunctioning of any of the signaling or quality control mechanisms occurring in the ER may provoke a stress condition known as ‘ER stress’. Accumulating evidence indicates that ER stress may dramatically perturb interactions between the cell and its environment, and contribute to the development of human diseases, ranging from metabolic diseases and cancer to neurodegenerative diseases, or impact therapeutic outcome. This book primarily focuses on the pathophysiology of ER stress. It introduces the molecular bases of ER stress, the emerging relevance of the ER-mitochondria cross-talk, the signaling pathways engaged and cellular responses to ER stress, including the adaptive Unfolded Protein Response (UPR), autophagy as well as cell death. Next the book addresses the role of ER stress in physiology and in the etiology of relevant pathological conditions, like carcinogenesis and inflammation, neurodegeneration and metabolic disease. The last chapter describes how ER stress pathways can be targeted for therapeutic benefit. Altogether, this book will provide the reader with an exhaustive view of ER stress biology and the latest insights in the role of ER stress in relevant human diseases.