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This book is built around ion channel research and, more specifically, ion channels as important therapeutic drug targets. Under the editorial leadership of Gary Stephens in academic research and Edward Stevens from industry, the aim is to bring these strands together to provide a cutting-edge translational reference on ion channel drug discovery. Exploiting our knowledge of ion channel structure and function has clear current and future potential to intervene and correct the pathophysiology associated with debilitating conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, pain, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders. Individual chapters have a disease focus, also providing a “case study story” that will also appeal to a clinical audience, while background information on a given ion channel is presented to provide a solid reference for undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Neurons are excitable cells. They use ions and electrical signaling to talk to each to other and when they talk to each other, neurons control behavior. The Oxford Handbook of Neuronal Ion Channels is an accessible reference describing the nature and properties of ion channels in neurons. The book explains how ion channels open and close, how they can be selective for specific ions, and how they give rise to action potentials. Included are in-depth chapters discussing specific classes of ion channels: potassium channels, sodium channels, neurotransmitter-gated ion channels and other specialized channels. Throughout the handbook, important insight is provided on the contribution ion channels make to neuronal excitability and to synaptic transmission. The handbook goes further to discuss channelopathies, a group of human diseases such as epilepsy, pain and migraines that can be caused by ion channel dysfunction. For neuroscientists, biophysicists and neuropharmacologists, this handbook is a valuable reference of ion channel biology and function.

The aim of the present book is to comprehensively review current advances in understanding of genetics, structural biology, pharmacology of potassium channels and their roles in disease as well as to identify current gaps in knowledge. The ultimate goal is to provide a scientific foundation for better understanding of modulatory mechanisms and pharmacology of potassium channels and to use this understanding to drive future drug discovery. This book will be a must-have for academic and industrial scientists interested in physiology, pharmacology, pathology and structure-functional relationships of ion channels. The book will also be helpful for lecturers and students in the college and university classrooms, as well as for anyone interested in the state-of-the art in modern cell biology, physiology and pharmacology.

This volume contains a unique selection of chapters covering a wealth of contemporary topics in this ubiquitous and diverse system of cell signaling. It offers much more than the accessibility and authority of a primary text book, exploring topics ranging from the fundamental aspects of calcium signaling to its varied clinical implications. It presents comprehensive discussion of cutting-edge research alongside detailed analysis of critical issues, at the same time as setting out testable hypotheses that point the way to future scientific endeavors. The contributions feature material on theoretical and methodological topics as well as related subjects including mathematical modeling and simulations. They examine calcium signaling in a host of contexts, from mammalian cells to bacteria, fruit fly and zebrafish. With much of interest to newcomers to the field as well as seasoned experts, this new publication is both wide-ranging and authoritative.The chapter “Calcium Signaling: From Basic to Bedside” is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This special book is conceived to highlight mitochondrial structural and functional integrity and how they are associated with several human diseases such as cardiovascular, cancer, renal, neurological disorder, and genetic disorders. The chapters contributed by leading mitochondrial researchers in the handbook will take us through the novel pharmacological strategies via mitochondria to understand their physiological and pathological role as well as present them as therapeutic targets.

Insect Hearing provides a broadly based view of the functions, mechanisms, and evolution of hearing in insects. With a single exception, the chapters focus on problems of hearing and their solutions, rather than being focused on particular taxa. The exception, hearing in Drosophila, is justified because, due to its ever growing toolbox of genetic and optical techniques, Drosophila is rapidly becoming one of the most important model systems in neurobiology, including the neurobiology of hearing. Auditory systems, whether insectan or vertebrate, must perform a number of basic tasks: capturing mechanical stimuli and transducing these into neural activity, representing the timing and frequency of sound signals, distinguishing between behaviorally relevant signals and other sounds and localizing sound sources. Studying how these are accomplished in insects offers a valuable comparative view that helps to reveal general principles of auditory function.

This is the first book on the market that explores the importance of curcumin for the treatment of neurological disorders. It has been estimated that 35.6 million people globally had dementia in 2010 and the prevalence of dementia has been predicted to double every 20 years. Thus, 115.4 million people may be living with dementia in 2050. Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia and is present in 60%–70% of people with dementia. Unless new discoveries are made in the prevention or treatment of AD, the number of cases in the US alone is estimated to increase threefold, to 13.2 million by the year 2050. Thus, it is important to focus on delaying and treating the onset of AD by curcumin may be an important step for controlling AD. Regular consumption of healthy diet containing curcumin enriched foods, moderate exercise, and regular sleep may produce beneficial effects not only on motor and cognitive functions, but also on memory deficits that occur to some extent during normal aging and to a large extent in AD. Delaying the onset and progression of AD and improving its symptoms by few years with regular consumption of curcumin may relieve some of the burden on health care systems. In service of this goal, this volume gives readers a comprehensive and cutting edge description of the importance of curcumin for the treatment of AD in cell culture and animal models in a manner that is useful not only to students and teachers but also to researchers, dietitians, nutritionists and physicians. It can be used as supplement text for a range of neuroscience and nutrition courses. Clinicians, neuroscientists, neurologists and pharmacologists will find this book useful for understanding molecular aspects of AD treatment by curcumin.

This volume presents the most current reviews on how cancer stem cells (CSCs) hypothesis dictates that the continued proliferation of a tumor is dependent on a sub-population of self-renewing and asymmetrically dividing neoplastic stem cells that supply a largely differentiated tumor. This volume provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of CSCs, their role in central nervous system (CNS) tumors, and the recent CSC-specific treatment modalities being used. The emerging focus on CSCs in brain tumors represents a paradigm shift in our understanding of the pathogenesis of these neoplasms. Importantly, the realization that a distinct sub-population of cells contributes disproportionately to the growth and sustenance of central nervous system tumors has important implications for the treatment of such tumors. To treat CNS tumors, there is now a growing need to treat CSCs to achieve adequate tumor control.

The New Benchmark for Understanding the Latest Developments of Ion ChannelsIon channels control the electrical properties of neurons and cardiac cells, mediate the detection and response to sensory stimuli, and regulate the response to physical stimuli. They can often interact with the cellular environment due to their location at the surface of ce

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND The use of genetic animal models in neuroscience and biomedical research is showing dramatic growth. The earliest application of these models to research on drug mechanisms was in the area of alcohol research. Mardones (1951) reported successful selective breeding of rats preferring and not preferring to drink alcohol under various conditions of dietary deficiency, suggesting genetic control of alcohol drinking. McClearn and Rodgers (1959, 1961) described differences among inbred mouse strains in preference for 10Ofo ethanol solutions versus tap water. Active exploration of this phenomenon continued until the early 1970s, eventually spawning the entire range of alcohol genetic research reviewed in Chapters 2 and 3 of this volume. Notably, oral alcohol self-administration has served as the basis for the development of several rat lines bred for preference or aversion, and these lines are very actively being investigated. The pioneering research of Dr. McClearn and others was very wide­ ranging in its conceptual scope and at least touched on all issues currently under intense investigation. The basic approach was to identify high and low preferrers among inbred strains of mice and to search for preference correlates in other traits. One major thrust of early research was to attempt to explain strain differences in preference as a function of underlying differences in patterns of caloric utilization. Reviews of these studies concluded that nutritional factors could not completely explain preference differences (Rod­ gers, 1966; McClearn, 1968).

Written by over 60 scientists and clincicians from the United States, mainland China, Germany, Australia, Japan, Sweden, Portugal and Hong Kong, Current Research in Acupuncture discusses recent advances in acupuncture research in a modern scientific language. The first 5 chapters investigate the basic mechanisms of acupuncture. Later chapters explore topics including acupuncture treatment and potential mechanisms for epilepsy, Parkinson's diseases, neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, vascular cognitive impairment, aging, anxiety, polycystic ovary syndrome, pain, nerve root cervical spondylosis, stroke, imflamation, myocardial ischemia and other cardiovascular diseases. Following the translational and clinical discussions, 4 chapters present new prospects for acupuncture theories and applications. The final chapter comments on the pitfalls and problems of the previous studies and suggests direction for future research towards in-depth understanding of acupuncture, along with better application of acupuncture in modern medicine. Each chapter is written by one or more experts in the field. This unique book provides a broad perspective on the principles of acupuncture for acupuncture researchers and neuroscientists. The laboratory and clinical investigations of various acupoints and optimal conditions provide unique clues to acupuncturists for improved clinical efficacy. For a medical student, this book is a modern course in ancient Traditional Chinese Medicine, especially acupuncture. Ying Xia, the chief editor, is Professor and Vice-Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery at The University of Texas Medical School in Houston, Texas, USA. Guanghong Ding is Professor in the Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science at Fudan University and Director of Shanghai Research Center for Acupuncture and Meridians, Shanghai, China. Gen-Cheng Wu is Professor of Neurobiology; Chairman,Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology; Director, Institute of Acupuncture Research; and Director, WHO Collaborating Center for Traditional Medicine, at Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

In this long-awaited 2nd edition of a classic book, leading neuroscientists critically review the latest advances made in our understanding of the fundamental molecular, biochemical, behavioral, and pharmacological properties of GABA receptors. The distinguished contributors clarify the approaches being taken to identify and develop new therapeutic agents for such neurological and psychiatric disorders as epilepsy, memory loss, affective illnesses, and psychosis. They also examine the therapeutic potential that remains in the cloning and expression of the GABA transporter, and in developing additional agents capable of regulating GABA receptor function. The book will play a key role in further expanding the list of drugs that interact with the GABA neurotransmitter system.

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In a world of 24-hour media saturation, sleep has become an increasingly fraught enterprise. The award-winning four-volume Encyclopedia of Sleep, Four Volume Set is the largest reference, either online or in print, on the subject of sleep. Written to be useful for the novice and the established researcher and clinician, Topic areas will include sleep across the life cycle and in other species, sleep and women, sleep and the elderly, pediatric sleep, sleep deprivation and loss, sleep mechanisms, sleep physiology and pathophysiology, sleep disorders, neurobiology, chronobiology, pharmacology, and impact of other disorders on sleep. Recognizing the many fields that are connected to sleep science, the editorial team has been carefully chosen to do justice to this highly interdisciplinary field of study. The steady growth of researchers and clinicians in the sleep field attests to the continued interest in the scientific study of sleep and the management of patients with sleep disorders, and anyone involved in this exciting field should find this work to be an invaluable reference. 2013 PROSE Award winner for Multivolume Reference in Science from the Association of American Publishers Thoroughly interdisciplinary: looks at sleep throughout the life cycle, with exceptional coverage of basic sleep concepts, the physiology of sleep as well as sleep disorders of all descriptions Excellent coverage of sleep and special populations, covering the lifespan, as well as gender and ethnic differences, among others Chapters focusing on sleep disorders are grouped under the broad categories classified in the ICSD-2 for clear organization so that the reader can effectively access the steps involved in diagnosing and treating these disorders Online version is linked both within the encyclopedia (to related content) and to external sources (such as primary journal content) so that users have easy access to more detailed information if needed

Highlighting the current developments and future directions in GABA and glycine research, this volume covers the major inhibitory neurotransmitters from the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction to their role in health and disease. It is of topical importance because these neurotransmitters are essential for brain function and therapy of diseases such as anxiety disorders, insomnias, epilepsy, depression, spasticity, and memory deficits. Distinguished scientists at the forefront of research contributed reviews on the role of these transmitters in governing neuronal networks, their signalling pathways, their receptors, the pharmacology of GABA A- and GABA B- and GABA C-receptors as well as of GABA- and glycine-transporters, and their role in disease. The volume serves as reference for pharmacologists/toxicologists, neuroscientists, neurologists and psychiatrists.

The first international symposium on brain edema was held in Vienna/ Austria in 1965 followed by altogether eight meetings since. The most recent was organized in Y okohama by the Department of Neurosurgery of the Musashino Red Cross Hospital, Tokyo. The continuing interest of both, clinicians and experimental scientists alike may be attributable to the fact that brain edema is a common denominator of many cerebral disorders, which under acute conditions threatens life and weIl-being of afflicted patients. Although progress in understanding as weIl as treatment can be recognized since 1965 many problems remain, particularly concerning the control of brain edema under acute conditions, as in trauma or ischemia. A quantum leap was the distinction of the cytotoxic and vasogenic brain edema prototypes as advanced by Igor Klatzo, providing for transition from a morphological to functional understanding now. The recent brain edema meetings were certainly benefiting from developments of both, molecular neurobiology on the one hand side and functional brain imaging at an ever-increasing resolution on the other, such as magnetic resonance imaging orpositron emission tomography. The international symposium in San Diego 1996 may witness further breakthroughs, hopefully also of effective treatment modalities. The symposium in Y okohama was dedicated to the'Legacy of 28 Years of Brain Edema Research'as a reminder of accomplishments as weIl as remaining challenges.

Advances in Comparative and Environmental Physiology helps biologists, physiologists, and biochemists keep track of the extensive literature in the field. Providing comprehensive, integrated reviews and sound, critical, and provocative summaries, this series is a must for all active researchers in environmental and comparative physiology.

This monograph provides a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the field of vasopressin and oxytocin. In the summer of 1997, scientists from over 20 countries congregated in Montreal for the 1997 World Congress of Neurohypophysial Hormones, a conference that united the fields of vasopressin, neurohypophysis and oxytocin in a single joint meeting that gave rise to the present book. The organization of a joint meeting was prompted by several recent developments. Specifically the molecular characterization of the vasopressin/oxytocin receptor family made it mandatory to adopt an integrated view and to discuss the vasopressin/oxytocin ligand/receptor family as a whole. To ensure em­ phasis on novelty, the conference focused on advances made over the last two years and also included important contributions by scientists that had not previously been associated with the vasopressin/oxytocin field. Vasopressin and oxytocin are two neurohormones that exert a wide spectrum of cen­ tral and peripheral actions. Accordingly, the vasopressin/oxytocin field embraces a large number of different domains, ranging from neuroscience, endocrinology, and oncology to renal, reproductive, and cardiovascular physiology and pathology.

The book is a sequel of a similar book, edited by Randolf Menzel and Alison Mercer, “Neurobiology and Behavior of Honeybees”, published in 1987. It is a “Festschrift” for the 70th birthday of Randolf Menzel, who devoted his life to the topic of the book. The book will include an open commentary for each section written by Randolf Menzel, and discussed with the authors. The written contributions take their inspiration from a symposium on the topic, with all the authors, that was held in Berlin in summer 2010

This selection of articles from the Encyclopedia of the Eye covering retina, optics/optic nerve and comparative topics constitutes the first reference for scientists, post docs, and graduate students with an interest beyond standard textbook materials. It covers the full spectrum of research on the retina - from the basic biochemistry of how nerve cells are created to information on neurotransmitters, comparisons of the structure and neuroscience of peripheral vision systems in different species, and all the way through to injury repair and other clinical applications. - The first single volume to integrate comparative studies into a comprehensive resource on the neuroscience of the retina - Chapters are carefully selected from the Encyclopedia of the Eye by one of the world's leading vision researchers - The best researchers in the field provide their conclusions in the context of the latest experimental results

As the first comprehensive reference for the eye, its support structures, diseases, and treatments, Encyclopedia of the Eye is an important resource for all visual scientists, ophthalmologists, and optometrists, as well as researchers in immunology, infectious disease, cell biology, neurobiology and related disciplines. This four-volume reference is unique in its coverage of information on all tissues important for vision, including the retina, cornea and lens. It also covers the physiological and pathophysiologic processes that affect all eye tissues. This Encyclopedia is invaluable for graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are seeking an introduction to an area of eye research. Each chapter explains the basic concepts and provides references to relevant chapters within the Encyclopedia and more detailed articles across the wider research literature. The Encyclopedia is also particularly useful for visual scientists and practitioners who are researching a new area, seeking deeper understanding of important research articles in fields adjacent to their own, or reviewing a grant outside their immediate area of expertise. - Written by experts at a level that permits students to grasp key elements of a specific subject - Provides an entryway into the major features of current eye research - No other source puts this much information, so well-indexed and with so many helpful full color figures and graphics, in the hands of the ophthalmic scientist

Comprehensive Overview of Advances in OlfactionThe common belief is that human smell perception is much reduced compared with other mammals, so that whatever abilities are uncovered and investigated in animal research would have little significance for humans. However, new evidence from a variety of sources indicates this traditional view is likely

Astrocytes were the original neuroglia that Ramón y Cajal visualized in 1913 using a gold sublimate stain. This stain targeted intermediate filaments that we now know consist mainly of glial fibrillary acidic protein, a protein used today as an astrocytic marker. Cajal described the morphological diversity of these cells with some ast- cytes surrounding neurons, while the others are intimately associated with vasculature. We start the book by discussing the heterogeneity of astrocytes using contemporary tools and by calling into question the assumption by classical neuroscience that neurons and glia are derived from distinct pools of progenitor cells. Astrocytes have long been neglected as active participants in intercellular communication and information processing in the central nervous system, in part due to their lack of electrical excitability. The follow up chapters review the “nuts and bolts” of ast- cytic physiology; astrocytes possess a diverse assortment of ion channels, neu- transmitter receptors, and transport mechanisms that enable the astrocytes to respond to many of the same signals that act on neurons. Since astrocytes can detect chemical transmitters that are released from neurons and can release their own extracellular signals there is an increasing awareness that they play physiological roles in regulating neuronal activity and synaptic transmission. In addition to these physiological roles, it is becoming increasingly recognized that astrocytes play critical roles during pathophysiological states of the nervous system; these states include gliomas, Alexander disease, and epilepsy to mention a few.

A single volume of 31 articles, Mechanisms of Hormone Actions on Behavior is an authoritative selection of relevant chapters from the Hormones Brain and Behavior 2e MRW, the most comprehensive source of neuroendocrinological information assembled to date (AP June 2009). The study of hormones as they impact the brain and, subsequently, behavior is a central topic in neuroscience, endocrinology and psychiatry. This volume offers an overview of neuroendocrinological topics, approaching the subject from the perspective of the mechanisms which control hormone actions on behavior. Female, male and stress hormones are discussed at the cellular, behavioral and developmental level, and sexual differentiation of the development of hormone-dependent neuronal systems, neuropeptides/neuromodulators, and steroid-inducedneuroplasticity are addressed. There is simply no other current single-volume reference with such comprehensive coverage and depth.Authors selected are the internationally renowned experts for the particular topics on which they write, and the volume is richly illustrated with over 175 figures (over 50 in color). A collection of articles reviewing our fundamental knowledge of the mechanisms of neuroendocrinology, the book provides an essential, affordable reference for researchers, clinicians and graduate students in the area. - The most comprehensive single-volume source of up-to-date data on the mechanisms behind neuroendocrinology, with review articles covering x,y z - Chapters synthesize information otherwise dispersed across a number of journal articles and book chapters, thus saving researchers the time consuming process of finding and integrating this information themselves - Offering outstanding scholarship, each chapter is written by an expert in the topic area and approximately 35% of chapters are written by international contributors - Provides more fully vetted expert knowledge than any existing work with broad appeal for the US, UK and Europe, accurately crediting the contributions to research in those regions - Heavily illustrated with 175 figures, approximately 54 in color - Presents material in most visually useful form for the reader

Over the past 25 years the amount of data pertaining to the GABAergic function in the basal ganglia has increased dramatically. GABA and the Basal Ganglia - From Molecules to Systems is a comprehensive review of the current state-of-the-art of knowledge about the neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology and neurophysiology of the basal ganglia, focusing on its GABAergic microcircuitry. It serves as a complete reference to the body of knowledge about the basal ganglia, its constituent neurons, and their interconnections. This volume is designed to serve as a convenient all-in-one review and reference for experienced basal ganglia researchers as well as an introduction to the functional organization of the basal ganglia and its GABAergic circuitry for students and researchers new to the field.• Reviews the anatomy, physiology and pharmacology of the basal ganglia itself in addition to focusing on the GABAergic circuitry of the basal ganglia• Authors of each chapter leading internationally acclaimed experts in basal ganglia research

Ion channels are biological nanotubes that are formed by membrane proteins. Because ion channels regulate all electrical activities in living cells, understanding their mechanisms at a molecular level is a fundamental problem in biology. This book deals with recent breakthroughs in ion-channel research that have been brought about by the combined effort of experimental biophysicists and computational physicists, who together are beginning to unravel the story of these exquisitely designed biomolecules. With chapters by leading experts, the book is aimed at researchers in nanodevices and biosensors, as well as advanced undergraduate and graduate students in biology and the physical sciences. Key FeaturesPresents the latest information on the molecular mechanisms of ion permeation through membrane ion channelsUses schematic diagrams to illustrate important concepts in biophysicsWritten by leading researchers in the area of ion channel investigations

Many recent discoveries in both laboratory and clinical settings have greatly increased our understanding of sleep medicine and the relevant psychopharmacology. This timely book serves to present updated information about the neuropsychopharmacology of sleep as this field enters mainstream psychiatry, neurology and medicine This volume has assembled articles that summarize and review carefully, a chosen selection of the latest discoveries concerning sleep medicine, sleep physiology and sleep pharmacology. Outstanding contributions have been sought from acknowledged experts in their respective fields. The goal of the volume is to present the more recent developments and advances in the fields of sleep and neuropsychopharmacology, as well as to provide a context for considering them both in depth and from multidisciplinary perspectives. This volume brings together the collective expertise of clinicians and basic researchers who represent a range of interests in neuroscience, neuropharmacology, sleep physiology, and biological rhythms. Presenting a thoughtful balance of basic experimental and clinical facts and viewpoints, this book will serve as a foundation for understanding, and ultimately treating, sleep disorders.

New findings in brain research are being revealed on an almost daily basis, and the focus of this book is the fields of breathing, neuroprotection, and higher brain functions. An unresolved issue within respiration research and hence a topic of much interest is Where and how respiratory rhythm is generated in the brainstem, detailed analysis of which is presented herein. Chapters on neuroprotection examine the functional significance of the blood – brain barrier as an interface of blood and the central nervous system; other chapters look at health and disease in relation to the hypothalamic and limbic systems. In addition to animal experiments, research on the human brain is included, with a focus on the recently developed EEG/dipole tracing method. This book will be an invaluable reference for researchers in neuroscience and related fields.

Taking a comprehensive approach in which all aspects of the vagal afferent system are considered, this extensive text reviews the development, neurochemistry, anatomy, biophysics, pharmacology, and physiology of the vagal afferent nerves. The authors present experimental techniques used to investigate the development, morphology, electrophysiology and reflex function of the vagal afferent nerves, and include state-of-the-art reviews of vagal afferent neurobiology by some of the world's leading experts in these fields.

The Superior Colliculus: New Approaches for Studying Sensorimotor Integration discusses new experimental and theoretical approaches to investigating how the brain transforms sensory signals into the motor commands that are used to shift the direction of gaze. The material includes the potential models for sensorimotor integration in the primate bra

Glial Neuronal Signaling fills a need for a monograph/textbook to be used in advanced courses or graduate seminars aimed at exploring glial-neuronal interactions. Even experts in the field will find useful the authoritative summaries of evidence on ion channels and transporters in glia, genes involved in signaling during development, metabolic cross talk and cooperation between astrocytes and neurons, to mention but a few of the timely summaries of a wide range of glial-neuronal interactions. The chapters are written by the top researchers in the field of glial-neuronal signaling, and cover the most current advances in this field. The book will also be of value to the workers in the field of cell biology in general. When we think about the brain we usually think about neurons. Although there are 100 billion neurons in mammalian brain, these cells do not constitute a majority. Quite the contrary, glial cells and other non-neuronal cells are 10-50 times more numerous than neurons. This book is meant to integrate the emerging body of information that has been accumulating, revealing the interactive nature of the brain's two major neural cell types, neurons and glia, in brain function.

The ubiquitous presence of glutamate and GABA receptors in the nervous system makes these receptor systems pivotal to our understanding of neurotransmission. Cloning of the molecular components of these receptor systems has provided insights to the selectivity of many drugs and detailed characterisation at the molecular level is emerging. Moreover,

A distinguished panel of internationally recognized neuroscientists comprehensively review the involvement of and changes in glial cells both during the normal aging process and in the major disorders of old age. Topics range from the cellular and molecular changes that occur with aging-especially aging-associated activation of astrocytes and microglia and its relation to neuronal injury and repair-to neuron-glia intercommunication. The contributors show how glial signals may be modulated by hormones, growth factors, neurotransmitters, intracellular metabolism, and intercellular exchanges, as well as by aging of the blood-brain barrier.

Crustacean preparations have been successfully used for more than 50 years to investigate the principles which enable nerve cells and neural circuitry to perform in a wide variety of functions. The proud record of information of general significance obtained from crayfish and lobster nervous systems testifies that the use of an experimental system precisely matching theoretical and experimental requirements ofa measurement is an essential part of the success. In some respects, the secondarily diversified vertebrate and mammalian nervous systems pose severe obstacles to experimentation and measurement, whereas the crustacean nervous system recommends itself by being composed of individual neurons of unique morphology and physiology, which can be used repeatedly in several preparations. Moreover, a restricted number of invariantly displayed behaviors enable the experimenter to correlate neuron activity with parts of the behavior easier. Experts use these advantages to focus on a well-defined neuron and mechanism and to take a convincing measurement within a minimum amount oftime. In this book distinguished neurobiologists, the leading experts in the field, have joined efforts to present research using crustacean experimental systems. Thus they have contributed comprehensive information regarding a nervous system other than that ofvertebrates and mammalians, that ofcrustaceans. The accumulated knowledge on the crustacean nervous system shows that it is clearly divergent in evolution but functions in a similar way to neuronal circuitry found in the vertebrate system and can be used to interpret it.

Nothing tends so much to the advancement of knowledge as the application of a new instrument. - Sir Humphry Davy, 1778-1829 Neuroscience has become a rapidly expanding endeavor that relies on a number of other sciences, such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer sci­ ence, general biology and medicine, genetics etc. In fact, many of its recent success­ es result from the application of ideas and methods borrowed from these fields. In­ sofar, it is a true interdisciplinary undertaking. This convergence of influences ac­ counts for part of its enormous attractiveness and fascination to students and re­ searchers from diverse walks of life, or science, for that matter. It is probably fair to say that a great number of neuroscience's most creative and productive proponents have been lured into this field not only by the excitement about the possibility to un­ mask the secrets of the human mind, but also by the appeal of a vast unknown land needing cultivation and tools to cultivate it. Danger may arise for any science if it is dominated by methods and techniques of investigation rather than by problems to be solved and concepts to be developed. This might concentrate efforts onto the technically feasible and doable, rather than On the real issues. But, On the other hand, especially the young and growing sciences are heavily dependent on the development and application of methods, often even before a problem relying on these methods may become apparent.

The idea for this book has evolved from our desire to present a conceptual approach to the study of neurotransmitters in epilepsy. Such an approach requires an understanding of the function of neurotransmitter systems in various experimental models of epilep­ sy. Toward this goal we have included in this book chapters on neurotransmitter systems in nine different epilepsy models. To com­ plete the coverage of this topic, there is a chapter on the role of selected neurotransmitters in the various types of human epilep­ sies. In the final chapter the editors integrated the neurotransmit­ ter data from the various epilepsy models into a matrix from which a better understanding of the function of these neurotransmitters in modulating epileptogenesis may be obtained. The information found in this book is not the result of a sym­ posium on this topic, but rather a review of available information on neurotransmitters in each of the experimental models. The evi­ dence is presented by knowledgeable researchers using these models. This approach gives a current, broader, and more thorough presentation of each of the topics. We therefore feel that this is not just a glimpse at the subject matter, but a panoramic view of the topic.

Advances in Brain Vasopressin elucidates the functions of the regulatory peptide vasopressin in the nervous system, and reviews the current status of this field at different levels. It deals with the cell biology and anatomy of the neurons that produce vasopressin in the brain, and provides an overview on the receptors of vasopressin and the signal transduction pathways that they activate, including the cellular responses that are triggered by vasopressin. Reviews are presented on the modulation of behavior induced by vasopressin in a number of different contexts, such as sex-linked and steroid-dependent behaviors, social behaviors, and learning and memory. Furthermore, the volume deals with several controversial issues in the field by presenting overlapping chapters from different research groups in order to provide the reader with current views. Highly relevant and useful, for those working on this'first'neuropeptide, and for young investigators entering the field, and in addition, shows how important a multidisciplinary approach is to unravelling the function of a neuropeptide in the brain.