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.

A superb collection of time-tested, key techniques for investigating nervous system function, as well as the actions of drugs on the nervous system. The methods range from authoritative treatment of such well-established techniques as recording electrical activity in the brain, to practical coverage of state-of-the-art methods, including neural transplantation and antisense technology. The techniques described are particularly suitable for studying the mechanisms of action of psychotropic drugs and drugs of abuse, as well as the etiology and pharmacotherapy of neuropsychiatric diseases and neurodegenerative disorders. Several of the methods detailed are highly useful in screening potential drugs for the treatment of depression, anxiety disorders, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease.

Imaging Drug Action in the Brain is an outstanding reference that provides detailed methodological information and presents a current review of information obtained using various methods to delineate the neuroanatomy of drug action. It presents material covering selective lesioning and intracranial injections in intact animals. It examines various applications of receptor binding techniques and their importance in pharmacology. In vivo metabolic mapping studies to delineate the distributions of action of psychoactive drugs in animals are reviewed in detail. Imaging Drug Action in the Brain presents recent advances in extending these types of studies to human investigations, using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and electrophysiological imaging techniques. Applications of immunocytochemical and molecular biology techniques in studies of drug action are explained. Imaging Drug Action in the Brain is the only book that encompasses all of these techniques with up-to-date examples of their applications. It is an essential resource for researchers in the fields of neuropharmacology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and nuclear medicine.

In Vitro Neurochemical Techniques is one of three volumes that rep- sent an update of the original Volume 1 of Neuromefkods, General Neu- chemical Techniques The expansion to three volumes was necessitated by the rapidly increasing number of techniques being used by neuroscrentists and the general tendency of neuroscience research to become more multidisciplrnary and collaborative in recent years. The two companion volumes are concerned primarily with In Vwo Neurometkods in one case, and with Cell Neurobiology Techniques in the other case. Even with three volumes, the coverage of General Neuvometkods is obviously not exhaustive. We have attempted to cover those techniques that seem particularly popular in multidisciplinary neuroscience research. Though some important techniques may have been omitted, we believe that most of these have been covered in detail in other recent volumes of Neurometkods or will be the subjects of upcommg volumes The editors anticipate that these volumes will prove unusually useful to neuroscientists across a wide range of fields-e.g., neurochemistry, neuropsychopharmacology, neurology, psychiatry, and neuroanatomy. Each chapter has been written by well-known neuroscientists with - tive research programs. Experienced researchers in the specific areas treated will appreciate the present updates on those topics, and neuros- entists expecting their research programs to become more multidisciplinary or to expand into new areas of research should find these volumes of enormous value, particularly those sections offering protocols with u- ful hints about the advantages and potential pitfalls of a particular te- nique.

This book is a review of studies on the physiopharmacology of the peripheral fibres involved in nociception. It examines the substances that are directly or indirectly capable of modifying the activity of these fibres, paying special attention to the part played by physicochemical factors and the sympathetic nervous system. Drawing on the conclusions of eminent pharmacologists, the book not only considers fundamental aspects of the problem but also suggests approaches for research into developing new analgesic molecules. It will be of interest to researchers, pharmacologists, physiologists, physicians and the pharmaceutical industry.

Imaging Drug Action in the Brain is an outstanding reference that provides detailed methodological information and presents a current review of information obtained using various methods to delineate the neuroanatomy of drug action. It presents material covering selective lesioning and intracranial injections in intact animals. It examines various applications of receptor binding techniques and their importance in pharmacology. In vivo metabolic mapping studies to delineate the distributions of action of psychoactive drugs in animals are reviewed in detail. Imaging Drug Action in the Brain presents recent advances in extending these types of studies to human investigations, using positron emission tomography (PET) scanning and electrophysiological imaging techniques. Applications of immunocytochemical and molecular biology techniques in studies of drug action are explained. Imaging Drug Action in the Brain is the only book that encompasses all of these techniques with up-to-date examples of their applications. It is an essential resource for researchers in the fields of neuropharmacology, neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and nuclear medicine.

First Published in 1992, Marijuana/Cannabinoids: Neurophysiology and Neurobiology is the first book to specifically address the effects of marijuana and cannabinoids on the physiology and behavior of the brain. The book discusses the dramatic effects of marijuana use on brain chemistry, pharmacology, and behavior. It also examines the isolation of natural cannabinoids and the synthesis of new cannabinoid-like compounds that have been important in research leading to the discovery and function of the cannabinoid receptor in the brain. Up-to-date research findings and in-depth reviews on marijuana and cannabinoids in the brain and their potential therapeutic value make Marijuana/Cannabinoids: Neurophysiology and Neurobiology essential for students, practitioners, and researchers involved in researching drugs of abuse.

The cutting-edge techniques detailed here include those that are particularly popular in multidisciplinary neuroscience research. There are readily reproducible methods for establishing neural cell cultures, measuring enzymes and their inhibitors, and using quantitative autoradiography to study monoamine uptake sites and receptors in the brain. Additional methods cover the use of flow cytometry to study developmental neurobiology, applications of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) to human brain metabolism, and the study of drug metabolism. Together with its companion volumes, In Vivo Neuromethods and In Vitro Neurochemical Techniques, all three cutting-edge works will prove exceptionally useful to those basic and clinical neuroscientists who want to expand the range of their current research or develop competence in complementary methods.

This one-stop reference is the first to present the complete picture -- covering all relevant organisms, from single cells to mammals, as well as all major disease areas, including neurological disorders, cancer and infectious diseases. Addressing the needs of the pharmaceutical industry, this unique handbook adopts a broad perspective on the use of animals in the early part of the drug development process, including regulatory rules and limitations, as well as numerous examples from real-life drug development projects. After a general introduction to the topic, the expert contributors from research-driven pharmaceutical companies discuss the basic considerations of using animal models, including ethical issues. The main part of the book systematically surveys the most important disease areas for current drug development, from cardiovascular to endocrine disorders, and from infectious to neurological diseases. For each area, the availability of animal models for target validation, hit finding and lead profiling is reviewed, backed by numerous examples of both successes and failures among the use of animal models. The whole is rounded off with a discussion of perspectives and challenges. Key knowledge for drug researchers in industry as well as academia.