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.
Cyclin Dependent Kinase 5 provides a comprehensive and up-to-date collection of reviews on the discovery, signaling mechanisms and functions of Cdk5, as well as the potential implication of Cdk5 in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Since the identification of this unique member of the Cdk family, Cdk5 has emerged as one of the most important signal transduction mediators in the development, maintenance and fine-tuning of neuronal functions and networking. Further studies have revealed that Cdk5 is also associated with the regulation of neuronal survival during both developmental stages and in neurodegenerative diseases. These observations indicate that precise control of Cdk5 is essential for the regulation of neuronal survival. The pivotal role Cdk5 appears to play in both the regulation of neuronal survival and synaptic functions thus raises the interesting possibility that Cdk5 inhibitors may serve as therapeutic treatment for a number of neurodegenerative diseases.
This monograph describes the progress in neuropathological HD research made during the last century, the neuropathological hallmarks of HD and their pathogenic relevance. Starting with the initial descriptions of the progressive degeneration of the striatum as one of the key events in HD, the worldwide practiced Vonsattel HD grading system of striatal neurodegeneration will be outlined. Correlating neuropathological data with results on the functional neuroanatomy of the human brain, subsequent chapters will highlight recent HD findings: the neuronal loss in the cerebral neo-and allocortex, the neurodegeneration of select thalamic nuclei, the affection of the cerebellar cortex and nuclei, the involvement of select brainstem nuclei, as well as the pathophysiological relevance of these pathologies for the clinical picture of HD. Finally, the potential pathophysiological role of neuronal huntingtin aggregations and the most important and enduring challenges of neuropathological HD research are discussed.
Research into inflammatory mechanisms that may cause damage to the Alzheimer's disease (AD) brain has now been ongoing for nearly two decades. Some two dozen clinical studies have strongly suggested that conventional anti-inflammatory drugs may be useful to delay the onset or slow the progression of the disorder. Moreover, virtually all the major systems of the innate immune response appear to be present, and most are upregulated, in pathologically-vulnerable regions of the AD brain. These new findings are described in this volume - first in overview form, followed by chapters on topics of special interest. In many ways, to understand AD brain inflammation, one need only review a text on peripheral inflammation biology, leaving out the chapters on humoral medi ators and substituting microglia for macrophages. In several other key respects, however, AD brain inflammation is unique, due primarily to idiosyncratic interac tions of inflammatory mediators and mechanisms with classical AD pathology: amyloid ~ peptide(A~) deposits and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). For this reason, some key concepts about the inflammation that occurs in AD may warrant discus sion in preparation for the more detailed chapters that follow.
Alcohol and Its Biomarkers: Clinical Aspects and Laboratory Determination is a concise guide to all currently known alcohol biomarkers, their clinical application, and the laboratory methods used to detect them. Pathologists can use this resource to understand the limitations and cost factors associated with each method for determining certain alcohol biomarkers. In addition, interferences in these determinations are discussed, so that clinicians can understand the causes of falsely elevated biomarkers and pathologists and laboratory scientists can potentially eliminate them. The book focuses on the analytical methods used to detect alcohol in blood and urine, the limitations of alcohol determination using enzymatic methods, and the differences between clinical and forensic alcohol measurement. Chapters also cover cutting-edge alcohol biomarkers for potential use. - Focuses on the analytical methods used for detecting alcohol in blood and urine along with the pitfalls and limitations of alcohol determination using enzymatic methods - Explains the difference between clinical and forensic alcohol measurement - Includes a brief overview of the benefits of consuming alcohol in moderation and the hazards of heavy drinking
This foundational work comprehensively examines the current state of the genetics, genomics and brain circuitry of psychiatric and neurological disorders. It consolidates discoveries of specific genes and genomic regions associated with these conditions, the genetic and anatomic architecture of these syndromes, and addresses how recent advances in genomics are leading to a reappraisal of the biology underlying clinical neuroscience. In doing so, it critically examines the promise and limitations of these discoveries toward treatment, and to the interdisciplinary nature of understanding brain and behavior. Coverage includes new discoveries regarding autism, epilepsy, intellectual disability, dementias, movement disorders, language impairment, disorders of attention, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder. Genomics, Circuits, and Pathways in Clinical Neuropsychiatry focuses on key concepts, challenges, findings, and methods in genetics, genomics, molecular pathways, brain circuitry, and related neurobiology of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. - Provides interdisciplinary appeal in psychiatry, neurology, neuroscience, and genetics - Identifies key concepts, methods, and findings - Includes coverage of multiple disorders from autism to schizophrenia - Reviews specific genes associated with disorders - Discusses the genetic architecture of these syndromes - Explains how recent findings are influencing the understanding of biology - Clarifies the promise of these findings for future treatment
This practical guide to the diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases discusses modern molecular techniques, morphological classification, fundamentals of clinical symptomology, diagnostic pitfalls and immunostaining protocols. It is based on the proteinopathy concept of neurodegenerative disease, which has influenced classification and provides new strategies for therapy. Numerous high-quality images, including histopathology photomicrographs and neuroradiology scans, accompany the description of morphologic alterations and interpretation of immunoreactivities. Diagnostic methods and criteria are placed within recent developments in neuropathology, including the now widespread application of immunohistochemistry. To aid daily practice, the guide includes diagnostic algorithms and offers personal insights from experienced experts in the field. Special focus is given to the way brain tissue should be handled during diagnosis. This is a must-have reference for medical specialists and specialist medical trainees in the fields of pathology, neuropathology and neurology working with neuropathologic features of neurodegenerative diseases.
The editor of this volume, having research interests in the field of ROS production and the damage to cellular systems, has identified a number of enzymes showing ·OH scavenging activities details of which are anticipated to be published in the near future as confirmatory experiments are awaited. It is hoped that the information presented in this book on NDs will stimulate both expert and novice researchers in the field with excellent overviews of the current status of research and pointers to future research goals. Clinicians, nurses as well as families and caregivers should also benefit from the material presented in handling and treating their specialised cases. Also the insights gained should be valuable for further understanding of the diseases at molecular levels and should lead to development of new biomarkers, novel diagnostic tools and more effective therapeutic drugs to treat the clinical problems raised by these devastating diseases.
The second edition of Neuroimmune Pharmacology bridges the disciplines of neuroscience, immunology and pharmacology from the molecular to clinical levels with particular thought made to engage new research directives and clinical modalities. Bringing together the foremost field authorities from around the world, Neuroimmune Pharmacology will serve as an invaluable resource for the basic and applied scientists of the current decade and beyond.
A Comprehensive Guide to Toxicology in Nonclinical Drug Development, Second Edition, is a valuable reference designed to provide a complete understanding of all aspects of nonclinical toxicology in the development of small molecules and biologics. This updated edition has been reorganized and expanded to include important topics such as stem cells in nonclinical toxicology, inhalation and dermal toxicology, pitfalls in drug development, biomarkers in toxicology, and more. Thoroughly updated to reflect the latest scientific advances and with increased coverage of international regulatory guidelines, this second edition is an essential and practical resource for all toxicologists involved in nonclinical testing in industry, academic, and regulatory settings. Provides unique content that is not always covered together in one comprehensive resource, including chapters on stem cells, abuse liability, biomarkers, inhalation toxicology, biostatistics, and more Updated with the latest international guidelines for nonclinical toxicology in both small and large molecules Incorporates practical examples in order to illustrate day-to-day activities and the expectations associated with working in nonclinical toxicology
