Learning and memory functions as well as many neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, drug addiction and schizophrenia are caused by dysregulation of cell signaling mechanisms in the brain. This issue of Frontiers will provide evidence for signal transduction alterations implicated in cognitive and non cognitive behaviors, as investigated by means of pharmacological and genetic approaches. Specialists in the field will be invited to contribute articles covering the impact on behavior of manipulations of neurotransmitter systems, intracellular signaling cascades and gene expression.

Intended for use by advanced undergraduate, graduate and medical students, this book presents a study of the unique biochemical and physiological properties of neurons, emphasising the molecular mechanisms that generate and regulate their activity.

From simple reflexes to complex movements, all animal behavior is governed by a nervous system. But what kind of government is it—a dictatorship or a democracy? Ari Berkowitz explains the variety of structures and strategies that control behavior, while providing an overview of thought-provoking debates and cutting-edge research.

Neural Surface Antigens: From Basic Biology towards Biomedical Applications focuses on the functionalrole of surface molecules in neural development, stem cell research, and translational biomedical paradigms.With an emphasis on human and rodent model systems, this reference covers fundamentals of neural stemcell biology and flow cytometric methodology. Addressing cell biologists as well as clinicians working in theneurosciences, the book was conceived by an international panel of experts to cover a vast array of particularsurface antigen families and subtypes. It provides insight into the basic biology and functional mechanisms ofneural cell surface signaling molecules influencing mammalian development, regeneration, and treatments. - Introduces early phase clinical trials of neural stem cells - Outlines characterization of surface molecule expression and methods for isolation which open unprecedented opportunities for functional study, quantitation & diagnostics - Highlights the role of stem cells in neural surface antigen and biomarker analysis and applications

Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide is the first volume to be written on the neuropeptide PACAP. It covers all domains of PACAP from molecular and cellular aspects to physiological activities and promises for new therapeutic strategies. Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide is the twentieth volume published in the Endocrine Updates book series under the Series Editorship of Shlomo Melmed, MD.

This book focuses on neuron signaling in the regulation of metabolism and body weight, and especially on methods used in these studies. Obesity and related metabolic syndromes have reached epidemic status, but still are no effective strategies for prevention and treatment. Body weight homeostasis is maintained by balanced food intake and energy expenditure, both of which are under the control of brain neurons. In the recent years, significant progress has been made in identifying specific neurons, neural pathways, and non-neuron cells in feeding regulation, as well as in delineating autonomic nervous systems targeting peripheral metabolic tissues in the regulation of energy expenditure and metabolism. This book reviews recent progress on important neuron signaling for body weight and metabolic regulation and the state-of-the-art methods that has been applied in this field, ranging from animal models with neuron-specific manipulations, pharmacology, optogenetics, in vivo Ca2+ imaging, and viral tracing. Readers will be exposed to latest research frontiers on neuron regulation of metabolism. Key Features Explores the role signaling between neurons plays with respect to metabolism Documents how neurotransmitters affect the regulation of feeding Describes various methods and technologies used to study the neuronal control of metabolism Includes contributions from an international team of leading researchers. Related Titles Lim, W. & B. Mayer. Cell Signaling: Principles and Mechanisms (ISBN 978-0-8153-4244-1) Feltz, A. Physiology of Neurons (ISBN 978-0-8153-4600-5) Zempleni, J. & K. Dakshinamurti, eds. Nutrients and Cell Signaling (ISBN 978-0367-39307-6)

During the development of the brain growing nerves send out neuronal processes (axons and dendrites) that connect them to other nerve cells, sensory organs, and muscle tissue. Correct targeting of these is the basis for wiring of the entire nervous system and depends on attractive and repulsive molecular cues that guide the developing neurons to the appropriate destination. Written and edited by experts in the field, this collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology examines the mechanisms underlying neuronal guidance and branching and their roles in the development and function of the nervous system. The contributors examine the major guidance cues and their receptors, the intracellular signaling pathways they activate, and their function in the context of important phenomena such as laminar organization and dendrite spacing. Other chapters consider the roles of guidance cues in development of neuronal circuits dedicated to the processing of particular sensory stimuli, such as the visual and olfactory systems. In addition, they cover the roles played by guidance cues and their receptors in neuronal regeneration and human genetic disorders, revealing important clinical implications of work in this field. The book also contains chapters discussing the function of guidance molecules in other processes, such as neuronal cell body migration, axon pruning, and regulation of neuronal cell death. In addition, it explores their roles outside the nervous system for example, in development of the vasculature. This volume is thus of general interest to cell and developmental biologists, as well as all neurobiologists interested in how the nervous system develops and functions.

Includes photographs which capture the detail of the behaviour.

This solid introduction uses the principles of physics and the tools of mathematics to approach fundamental questions of neuroscience.