Cerebral Signal Transduction

A team of leading experts comprehensively review and synthesize the most recent advances in our understanding of the role of cerebral signaling in neuronal and cerebral function. The authors emphasize the functional role of the various signaling pathways in memory, apoptosis and degeneration, depression, and drug dependence in both health and diseased states. By taking full advantage of the newfound ability to selectively remove, reduce, or enhance specific components of the signaling pathways, the investigators writing here illuminate the varied signaling cascades, their crosstalk, and the many possibilities for changes in gene expression underlying long-term changes in brain function. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Cerebral Signal Transduction: From First to Fourth Messengers advances our understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of complex behavioral processes and clinically relevant brain diseases. A major contribution to the development of the novel pharmacotherapeutics targeting downstream events in the cascade of second, third, and fourth messengers, it will serve experimental and clinical neuroscientists as the best and most complete guide to neuronal signaling.

The book contains black-and-white illustrations.

A team of leading experts comprehensively review and synthesize the most recent advances in our understanding of the role of cerebral signaling in neuronal and cerebral function. The authors emphasize the functional role of the various signaling pathways in memory, apoptosis and degeneration, depression, and drug dependence in both health and diseased states. By taking full advantage of the newfound ability to selectively remove, reduce, or enhance specific components of the signaling pathways, the investigators writing here illuminate the varied signaling cascades, their crosstalk, and the many possibilities for changes in gene expression underlying long-term changes in brain function. Cutting-edge and comprehensive, Cerebral Signal Transduction: From First to Fourth Messengers advances our understanding of the mechanistic underpinnings of complex behavioral processes and clinically relevant brain diseases. A major contribution to the development of the novel pharmacotherapeutics targeting downstream events in the cascade of second, third, and fourth messengers, it will serve experimental and clinical neuroscientists as the best and most complete guide to neuronal signaling.

Konstantin V. Slavin

This book is a summary of recent progress in understanding the process of signal transduction on the molecular level, starting with neurotransmitters and progressing all the way to fourth and fifth messengers, as it takes place in normal and pathological brain tissue. The editor states the goal is to offer a comprehensive picture of recent advances made in the signaling field as it relates to neuronal and cerebral function. Since information in this field has increased significantly during the last several years (primarily due to development of new biochemical research techniques and molecular tools), the need for this type of book is tremendous. The editor and the contributors accomplished their goal remarkably well. This volume is intended for scientists and graduate and advanced undergraduate students looking for a comprehensive overview of cerebral signaling. In addition, neurologists and psychiatrists may also find the information both interesting and somewhat applicable to their practice. Chapters are written by leading authorities in the field from seven European and North American countries. The chapters are arranged so that clinical and laboratory investigations on depression, bipolar disorder, and drug dependence follow more basic research on memory, apoptosis, and degeneration. Each chapter is extremely well referenced, making this a valuable reference source. Multiple black-and-white illustrations, drawings, and microphotographs enhance the text quality. This new volume in the series Contemporary Neuroscience may serve as an excellent overview of current knowledge in the field of cerebral signaling and transduction. Main aspects of the latest research on this topic arepresented and our understanding of inner mechanisms of the information transmission and their relevance to certain pathological conditions are summarized. Obviously, this research may eventually yield new therapeutic approaches and pharmacological agents that will affect second and further messengers, therefore increasing their effectiveness and specificity.

Reith, Maarten E.A. (Univ of Illinois at Peoria)