Stroke Genomics: Methods and Reviews

Although numerous genomic studies of stroke have examined such factors as stroke inheritance, chromosomal loci of risk, preclinical models of stroke, and differential gene expression of brain injury, repair, and recovery, much work to determine the precise role of gene function in human neurological pathophysiology remains ahead. In Stroke Genomics: Methods and Reviews, leading experts in the field explore the pragmatic application of the tools of genomic and molecular biology research to the treatment of stroke. Providing the reader with cutting-edge reviews of clinical and preclinical genomics, the authors relate changes in gene expression to physiological end points-such as functional imaging paradigms-to produce a more holistic approach in which molecular biology goes hand in hand with stroke pathophysiology. Topics of special interest include stem cell transplantation, gene therapy, clinical gene/gene interaction studies, and cytokine drug discovery. Readily reproducible techniques are provided, along with ancillary methods (imaging, animal models, human genetic study design, and transgenic animal production) that can be effectively applied to gene discovery. The protocols follow the successful Methods in Molecular Biology™ series format, each offering step-by-step laboratory instructions, an introduction outlining the principle behind the technique, lists of the necessary equipment and reagents, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Cutting-edge and highly practical, Stroke Genomics: Methods and Reviews shows how to successfully design, execute, and interpret preclinical and clinical molecular biological studies of stroke, work that will greatly advance its understanding, as well as rapid development of the next generation of stroke therapeutics.

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Reviewer:Celso Agner, MD, MSc(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description:Stroke diagnostics has gone beyond the description of the phenomenon. Current understanding suggests that not only the clinical scenario but also the etiology of stroke are necessary to determine the best possible treatment for each individual patient. The study of the genes involved in the manifestation of vascular diseases may shed some light on novel therapies for acute stroke and a review of the current knowledge is needed.
Purpose:The purpose is to address the other, sometimes forgotten, aspects of stroke pathogenesis: the genetic code and inheritance patterns in stroke. Albeit complex, these are worthy objectives that the authors have met.
Audience:Neurologists, neurosurgeons, and neuroscientists are the main audiences for this book.
Features:The 26 authors contribute 15 chapters. The book's structure resembles a laboratory manual, following the format of Methods in Molecular Medicine, in which step-by-step procedures are reported with the projected pitfalls and disadvantages of each approach. The first part of the book develops the background for the current genetic studies, whereas the second and third sections deal with the development of new models of genetic stroke investigation and how to establish a relationship between what is known now to what can be done for victims of what has been called "cryptogenic stroke." Would those and only those be linked to genetic alterations or do all strokes have a genetic basis? This is a hard question that remains partially unanswered. Overall, the book is very good, but too specific for a general practitioner. Probably the best audience would be stroke neurologists. The pictures are appropriate and so are the references. It's well worth the price.
Assessment:This is a good book for general medical and neurological libraries. It may be of interest to particular stroke neurologists who may consider novel forms of therapy for their patients.