Bücher der Reihe Neuromethods

With its complex anatomical, molecular, electrophysiological and behavioral components, epilepsy provides the neuroscientist with nearly boundless opportunities to examine basic neurobiological mechanisms. In Animal Models of Epilepsy: Methods and Innovations , prominent investigators in the field examine several novel models of epilepsy in mice as well as in genetically tractable "simple" species such as Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies), Caenorhabditis elegans (worms), Xenopus laevis (tadpoles) and Danio rerio (zebrafish). While covering some traditional models, the volume also explores the newest innovations like modeling seizure activity in silica and advanced strategies for seizure detection and gene therapy. As a volume in the successful Neuromethods (TM) series, the chapters provide clear, step-by-step protocols and thought-provoking reviews of the most recent advancements in the field. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, Animal Models of Epilepsy: Methods and Innovations is an ideal guide for scientists who wish to expand our understanding of the pathogenesis of this neurological disorder.

With an ever-increasing elderly population and the resultant rising levels of dementia-related disorders, preclinical research based on animal models is pivotal to our knowledge of underlying molecular mechanisms and drug discovery aiming at the development of therapeutic strategies alleviating or preventing the neurological devastation.

As the presence of genetically modified animal models in research laboratories has multiplied, the role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of brain disorders has become particularly important.

Playing an important role in the treatment of neurological disorders, the delivery of drugs to central nervous system (CNS), both administered directly and administered systematically for targeted action, encounters a major challenge in the form of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits the access of drugs to the brain substance.

Preclinical research related to mood and anxiety disorders relies extensively upon mouse behavioral tests and models, the use of which continues to increase as a greater number of underlying susceptibility genes are discovered, new targets for medications are identified, and clinical studies reveal novel neurobiological risk factors.

This volume describes different computational methods encompassing ligand-based approaches (QSAR, pharmcophore), structure-based approaches (homology modeling, docking, molecular dynamics simulation), and combined approaches (virtual screening) with applications in anti-Alzheimer drug design.

This volume discusses the importance of imaging, fluid, and genetic biomarkers in detecting the earliest pre-symptomatic stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Parts four and five talk about technological advancements in AD diagnosis and ethical considerations in AD research.

This volume discusses techniques to synthesize and functionalize nanoparticles, monitor their delivery and uptake, and identify and evaluate their lethal and non-lethal effects on the metabolic activity of the nervous system.

This volume presents the latest methods and approaches used to better characterize the properties of the structural human brain, and also explores various dysfunctional and non-dysfunctional neuroanatomical variations. This book is divided into 3 parts: methods, non-clinical applications, and clinical applications.

Providing a spectrum of models that is reflective of the various species that can be utilized in experimentation on disorders across a broad range of developmental disabilities, this volume collects expert contributions involved in investigation of the causes, outcomes, treatment, and prevention.

This volume provides current methods to analyze the properties of designer receptors exclusively activated by designer drugs (DREADDs) in vitro and to measure the biological responses of DREADD activation in different neuronal populations in vivo.

Applying neurophysiological methods to the study of brain-behavior relationships proved to be a major advance in the early days of neuroscience research.

Societal, ethical, and cost-related issues, not to mention the need for sound scientific methods, have led to new and refined methods for the evaluation of health risks associated with neurotoxic compounds, relevant and predictive of exposure, relatively inexpensive, and ideally amenable to high throughput analysis and a reduction in animal use.

This volume covers methodologies, ranging from the molecular level to the network level, used to study receptor-receptor interactions in heteroreceptor complexes inside the central nervous system.

This volume describes techniques to make synaptosomes, and discusses numerous ways that synaptosomes are used to study and answer diverse questions about synapses.After examining the history that led to making synaptosomes, the chapters delved into its important as a tool to explore synaptic connections.

This volume discusses the latest techniques and methodologies used in the neurotrophin field to study the physiology of the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF).

This volume covers various aspects of co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) methods and its relevant use in studying protein-protein interactions (PPIs) in health and diseases of the Central Nervous System.

The second edition of this volume provides up-to-date methods on the main methodological aspects of functional MRI (fMRI), applying fMRI to the study of central nervous system, and future evolutions of fMRI techniques.

This volume presents classical approaches to in vivo neuropharmacology and neurophysiology, such as c-fos, electrochemistry, microdialysis microstimulation, and push-up superfusion. It also explores exciting new methods for behavioral analysis, and techniques based on optogenetics and non-invasive magnetic resonance imaging. The chapters of this book cover topics such as principles of stereotaxy, pharmaco-based fMRI and neurophysiology in humans and non-human primates, electrical nerve stimulation and central microstimulation, involvement of neurotransmitters in mnemonic processes, the impact of cannabinoids on motor activity, as well as the involvement of nitric oxide in neurotoxicity produced by psychostimulant drugs. Each chapter also discusses difficulties, tips, tricks, and precautions to take. Neuromethods series style chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your own laboratory.Cutting-edge and practical, In Vivo Neuropharmacology and Neurophysiology is a valuable resource for experienced and less experienced investigators of brain function and brain disorders.