This book is the first definitive overview on adenosine receptor antagonists and their application to the treatment of Parkinson's Disease. The effect of these novel non-dopamine drugs on vitro and in vivo systems clearly shows their potential for the treatment of this debilitating disease. This book covers how the Parkinson's disease antagonist drug, A2A, has been researched, developed, and tested. It is an essential book for researchers interested in the basal ganglia, purine biology, and Parkinson's Disease. Discusses the discovery and development of a novel non-dopaminomimetic agent for Parkinson's disease Provides the first definitive overview of adenosine antagonists and their role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease Presents a new mechanism of action of adenosine A2A receptor antagonists in motor function Proposes a hypothesis of adenosine A2A receptor function in the striatum Comprehensive overview of adenosine, its receptor subtypes, their antagonists/agonists from biochemistry, molecular biology, medicinal chemistry, physiology, pharmacology, and neurochemistry viewpoints

This book traces the history of adenosine receptor research from molecular biology to medicinal chemistry to behavior, including their implications in disease and potential strategies as therapeutic targets. It provides the reader with a comprehensive overview of the adenosine receptors that includes information on all subtypes - A1, A2A, A2B and A3. Aspects addressed include the most up to date information on their functional distribution in the nervous and peripheral systems, behavioral roles in inflammation, cancer, pain and neurological diseases such as Huntington’s disease, Epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

This report from the Committee on Military Nutrition Research reviews the history of caffeine usage, the metabolism of caffeine, and its physiological effects. The effects of caffeine on physical performance, cognitive function and alertness, and alleviation of sleep deprivation impairments are discussed in light of recent scientific literature. The impact of caffeine consumption on various aspects of health, including cardiovascular disease, reproduction, bone mineral density, and fluid homeostasis are reviewed. The behavioral effects of caffeine are also discussed, including the effect of caffeine on reaction to stress, withdrawal effects, and detrimental effects of high intakes. The amounts of caffeine found to enhance vigilance and reaction time consistently are reviewed and recommendations are made with respect to amounts of caffeine appropriate for maintaining alertness of military personnel during field operations. Recommendations are also provided on the need for appropriate labeling of caffeine-containing supplements, and education of military personnel on the use of these supplements. A brief review of some alternatives to caffeine is also provided.

Since their discovery approximately 25 years ago, adenosine receptors have now emerged as important novel molecular targets in disease and drug discovery. These proteins play important roles in the entire spectrum of disease from inflammation to immune suppression. Because of their expression on a number of different cell types and in a number of different organ systems they play important roles in specific diseases, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, stroke, cancer, sepsis, and obesity. As a result of intense investigations into understanding the molecular structures and pharmacology of these proteins, new molecules have been synthesized that have high specificity for these proteins and are now entering clinical trials. These molecules will define the next new classes of drugs for a number of diseases with unmet medical needs.

This book, with its 16 chapters, documents the present state of knowledge of the adenosine A receptor. It covers a wide range of information, including data from 3 studies of theoretical, molecular and cellular pharmacology, signal transduction, integrative physiology, new drug discoveries and clinical applications. It fills an important gap in the literature since no alternative source of such information is currently available. Although the A receptor is increasingly being recognized for 3 its increasing number of biological roles throughout the body and many A receptor 3 ligands have proven useful in elucidating peripheral and central pathologies, many issues remain unresolved. Moreover, research activity in this field continues to grow exponentially, resulting in a constant flow of new information. The chapters in this book cover both basic science and the relevant applications and provide an authoritative account of the current status of the field. They have enabled my goal as editor to make “A Adenosine Receptors from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and 3 Therapeutics” an up to date, scientifically excellent, reference source, attractive to basic and clinical scientists alike, a reality. Detailed understanding of the physico-chemical aspects and molecular biology of the A receptor provides a solid basis for its future development as a target for 3 adenosine-based pharmacotherapies (Chapters 2 and 3).

Adenosine Receptors in Neurodegenerative Diseases covers the role of adenosine receptors in brain function, also focusing on related methodologies and perspectives in therapeutics. The book provides an up-to-date overview by the best specialists in the field, helping readers consider the importance of adenosine and expand the global impact and visibility of adenosine research in the CNS field. Chapters include adenosine biology and signaling, gene regulation, control of motor function, and novel adenosine-based therapies in the CNS. It is an ideal resource for researchers, advanced graduate students, clinicians, and industry scientists working in the fields of clinical neuroscience and molecular and cellular neuroscience.

This well-established international series examines major areas of basic and clinical research within neuroscience, as well as emerging and promising subfields. This volume concentrates on adenosine receptor science, providing insights useful for actual drug discovery/development in neurology and psychiatry areas. - Expertise of contributors - Subject including practical drug development from basic science, as translational research taste - Structure of contents focusing on two CNS areas for diseases (neurology and psychiatry)

Numerous phenomenal advances have been made towards understanding the role of neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of neurological disorders, and these have resulted in a large number of novel molecules with the potential to revolutionize the treatment and prevention of such disorders. This book provides a comprehensive and detailed explanation of brain neurotransmitters and their receptors and associated channels. It includes a basic introduction, and also discusses the functions and recent advances and their pharmacology, highlighting the role of various computer aided drug design (CADD) strategies for the development of therapeutic ligands to modulate these receptors/ion channels. Written in an easy-to-read style, it is intended for neuroscience and pharmaceutical students and researchers working in the area of brain neurotransmitters.

The psychobehavioral effects of caffeine on humans is analyzed in this book from an experimental approach. Caffeine and Behavior: Current Views and Research Trends is unique in its emphasis on empirical research and its inclusion of articles concerning the addictive potential of caffeine. Topics covered include addiction, neurotransmission

Advances in the Biosciences, Volume 82: Presynaptic Receptors and Neuronal Transporters documents the proceedings of the Official Satellite Symposium to the IUPHAR 1990 Congress held in Rouen, France on June 26-29, 1990. The first part of this book deals with the extensive and still increasing list of presynaptic release-modulating auto and heteroreceptors, emphasizing the various subtypes of presynaptic receptors that are characterized by functional studies, both in vitro and in vivo, using a number of experimental approaches. The next chapters are devoted to the molecular pharmacology of presynaptic receptors, of which can interfere with G proteins and modify the activity of adenylate cyclase, guanylate cyclase, or protein kinase C. The purification and molecular biology of transporter systems, including cloning and sequencing of the neuronal sodium-ion coupled GABA transporter are also discussed. This compilation concludes with insights on the function of presynaptic receptors and neuronal transporters both in the periphery and in the CNS, as well as their ubiquitous locations and physiological roles. This publication is a good reference for students and individuals researching on the presynaptic autoreceptors and neurotransmitters.