Bücher der Reihe Journal of Neural Transmission. Supplementa

Experts in the fields of neurology, neuroscience, neurobiology and psychiatry review and present novel findings of basic and clinical research on extrapyramidal disorders and allied conditions. New insights on the nature of extrapyramidal dysfunction and its therapy in the fields of neurology, psychiatry and neuroscience are presented.

Substance-related disorders pose an increasing challenge not only to the field of psychiatry but also to public health. In this volume international experts present reviews of the latest research covering many areas ranging from neurobiology to psychological management, as well as different drugs, from alcohol to ecstasy.

Proceedings of the 5th International Symposium of the Research Initiative Ebewe, held Oct. 17-19, 1997 in Graz.

Includes the papers that were presented at the 7th International Symposium in Graz, September 2001, and gives an overview of the various concepts of pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment strategies of pathological brain ageing and dementias, early recognition of mild cognitive impairment and the possibilities of prevention of dementing processes.

Recent studies suggest that pathology of Parkin son's disease now ranks second to Alzheimer's disease as the commonest sub strate of dementia in elderly patients. : The language of the basal ganglia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia in the elderly people and Parkinson's disease is one of the major neurologic disorders with the prevalence between 1 and 2/1 000 population in advanced countries. even in Parkinson's disease, still it is impossible to slow down the disease process with the currently available treatment.

This book provides a unique and timely multidisciplinary synthesis of our current knowledge of the anatomy, pharmacology, physiology and pathology of the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) dopaminergic neurons.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) has been used for a decade in psychiatric research to study regional brain glucose metabolism, and the results seem to be inconsistent.

Schizophrenia has been the subject of intense research interest in recent years, as investigators have explored the biological bases for the disorder and for various approaches to its diagnosis and treatment.

Monoamine oxidase plays a major role in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric disorders including depressive illness, Parkinsons disease and Alzheimers disease. The new generation of selective monoamine oxidase inhibitors, devoid of major side effects, has found a prominent place in the treatment of these diseases.

MARSDEN, London Preface Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disorder charac terized clinically by the appearance of a supranuclear gaze palsy and extra pyramidal features which include bradykinesia and axial dystonia.

Monoamine oxidase (MAO) is linked to psychiatric and neurological disorders, because inhibitors of the enzyme are used clinically for treatment of affective disorders and Parkinson's disease. Other sections of the book deal with the neuroprotective action of MAO inhibitors and their pharmacology, especially the pharmacology of new MAO-B inhibitors.

Available therapeutic strategies require considerable refinement and the development of new therapeutic strategies need input from basic research.

This multidisciplinary book includes current research papers and reviews in the areas of basic neuroscience, neural mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders. It further includes new approaches for neuroprotective treatments, clinical, neurobiological and treatment aspects of psychiatric disorders.

The 10th International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration (lWCN) has taken place from February 14-16,2002, at the lovely "SchloB Ziethen", an old prussian manor (in Prussia, 'faute de mieux', called 'SchloB', i. e. cas­ tle or residence). This place is 20 km off Tegel Airport, Berlin's main airport, and has been beautifully restored by baroness Edith von Thiingen (nee von BUlow, i. e. of historical Prussian aristocracy); it lends itself rather perfectly for the IWCN type of small interdisciplinary workshops on neurodegenera­ tion which combine short lectures with plenty of discussion. In this context, we could quote Alexander von Humboldt's famous opening words for one of the first international scientific meetings held at Berlin, on September 18, 1828: "The main purpose . . . does not consist in a mutual reading of manuscripts all to be printed after at least one year in specialised publications, but in the personal communication amongst those who work in similar scientific fields; the oral and thus more stimulating exchange of ideas, might they represent facts, opinions or doubts; the foundation of friendly relations which convey illumination to our sciences, serene grace to our lives and tolerance and mildness to our habits . . . Berlin, Sept. 18, 1828 Alexander von Humboldt To the IWCN aficionado, it may come as a little surprise that this is the pub­ lication of the 10th Winter Conference as this might mean that they must have missed number 9.

Highlights developments in the research of neurodegenerative processes and cell death. This volume also elucidates the role of inflammation in neurodegenerative processes. It contains articles which deal with neuroprotective/neuroregenerative strategies.