Astrocytes: Development, Morphology, and Regional Specialization of Astrocytes, Volume 1 provides an overview of the development and diversity of astrocytes in the whole central nervous system and serves as a guide to the members of the astrocyte family. This volume discusses the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development, the origin, differentiation, and topographical distribution of astrocytes. The text deals mainly with astrocytes in the brains of birds and mammals because of the maximum diversity and specialization of glial cells found in these vertebrates. The book will be of great use to cellular biologists, developmental neurobiologists, pediatric neurologists, neurochemists, neurologists, and neuropathologists.
Astrocytes: Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pharmacology of Astrocytes, Volume 2 focuses on the physiological and pharmacological aspects of astrocytes. This volume gives specific attention to intracellular metabolic activity; membrane components and functions; responses to neurotransmitters and other intrinsic factors; and neuronal-glial interactions. Studies in this text establishe the astrocyte as an essential neuronal partner in the neuronal-glial interrelationship throughout the life-span of the neuron and also further explain the potential roles of astrocytes in brain function. Cell physiologists, neurophysiologists, neuropharmacologists, pediatric neurologists, and gerontologists will find the book interesting.
Astrocytes: Cell Biology and Pathology of Astrocytes, Volume 3 deals with the involvement of astrocytes in neurological and neuropathological states of brain function. This volume discusses the expression of astrocyte-specific immunological markers and plasma membrane structures; the dynamics of the cytoskeleton and cell cycle; and the reactivity to injury and response of astrocytes in selected pathological and genetic states. The text also aims to inspire new ideas and research on astrocyte functions as well as on the pathogenesis of neurological disorders. Neuroscientists, cell biologists, clinicians, neuropathologists, and pediatric neurologists will find the book invaluable.
This book seeks to unravel the mysteries of wolfberry, and systematically introduces its mechanisms in preventing aging-associated diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, inflammation, liver and neurodegenerative diseases. Wolfberry, the dried fruit of Lycium barbarum, is an anti-aging herbal medicine. There have been numerous reports investigating the underlying mechanisms of its anti-aging effects and its role in preventing pathological changes in many aging-associated diseases. Its holistic effects on the body can attenuate liver toxicity and combat the spread of cancer; it also prevents degeneration in the central nervous system, and can even positively affect the skin. As such, wolfberry has become a very popular food supplement around the world. This book will serve as an excellent reference source for researchers and graduate students studying herbal medicine and aging-associated diseases, while also providing insights for the pharmaceutical industry with regard to developing potential drugs for these diseases.
An explosion of new techniques with vastly improved visualization and sensitivity is leading a veritable revolution in modern neuroanatomy. Basic questions related to cell types, input localization, and connectivity are being re-visited and tackled with significantly more accurate and higher resolution experimental approaches. A major goal of this e-Book is thus to highlight in one place the impressive range of available techniques, even as these are fast becoming routine. This is not meant as a technical review, however, but rather will project the technical explosion as indicative of a field now in a vibrant state of renewal. Thus, contributions will be mainly research articles using the newer techniques. A second goal is to showcase what has become the conspicuous interdisciplinary reach of the field: neuroanatomical standards and the close association of structure-function and underlying circuitry mechanisms are increasingly relevant to investigations in development, physiology, and disease. Another feature of this Research Topic is that it includes a breadth of cross-species contributions from investigators working with rodent, nonhuman primate, and human brains. This is important since most of our current knowledge of brain structure has been obtained from experimental animals. However, recent technical advances, coupled with researcher willingness to use the human tissue available, will undoubtedly lead to major advances in the near future regarding human brain mapping and connectomes. Thus, of particular interest will be the methods that can help to define general wiring principles in the brain, both structural and functional. Overall, the state of the field is: exciting.
A collection of selected works presented by Spanish research teams at the establishment and consolidation of the Spanish Glial Network in February 1997. Includes: morphology and ontogeny, molecular and biochemical properties, pathology, and involvement in damage and regeneration. For researchers, clinicians, students, and teachers.
It is well established that glial cells represent more than mere passive cytoskeletal support elements of the central and peripheral nervous system. A reciprocal relationship exists between neurons and glia that is vital for mutual differentiation, development, and functioning of both cell types. It also has become apparent that perturbations in glial function may lead to deleterious consequences in juxtaposed neurons. It is therefore possible that neuronal damage induced by chemicals or neuropathic disease involves dissociation of glial-neuronal interactions. The Role of Glia in Neurotoxicity brings together experts in the neurosciences to provide a more complete understanding of the effects of chemicals on nervous system function. This book explores potential sites of glial-neuronal interactions both in the central and peripheral nervous system, focusing on potential sites of neurotoxicant actions. Text introduces basic aspects of neuroscience, the first step toward understanding the mechanisms at work in normal physiology. The ways in which these processes are disturbed in pathological conditions are discussed. Distinguished authors examine the functional interactions between glial cells and neurons during development, adulthood, and senescence. The roles of glia in the normal CNS and PNS are described. The book offers specific, in-depth examples of directly (via diffusive and cell surface signals) or indirectly (via effects on the extracellular fluid or the blood-brain barrier) mediated glial neurotoxicity. This reference includes different techniques, conceptual frameworks, and approaches that are currently used in the study of the role of glia in neurotoxicity. This timely review not only presents an excellent overview of the state of the science but also provides direction for future research into the consequences of an altered glial-neuronal unit.
Although many studies have established the connections of the inferior olivary complex, there have been relatively few studies on the morphology of this nuclear complex. On the base of the similar topographic relations and connections with the cerebellum, the inferior olivary complex is regarded as homologous in all vertebrates. We present comprehensive light microscopical qualitative and quantitative analysis of the inferior olivary complex of different representatives of submammalian and mammalian vertebrates, including human. A detailed comparison was made at the structural level. Cytoarchitecture and cellular morphology of the inferior olivary complex have been studied in several submammalian (carp, frog, lizard, tortoise, pigeon) and mammalian species (rat, cat, and for the first time ground squirrel Citellus citellus L), including human.
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.
