This comprehensive reference provides a detailed overview of current concepts regarding the cause of Parkinson's disease-emphasizing the issues involved in the design, implementation, and analysis of epidemiological studies of parkinsonism.

Parkinson's Disease: Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Pathology explores the molecular pathways at the basis of the cellular defects connected to Parkinson's disease, the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and the most common movement disorder. This book presents the latest research on the pathways and mechanisms that have been discovered to play a role in Parkinson's pathology. This focus on mechanisms rather than individual genes allows the contributors to elaborate on overlapping and joint functions of different causative genes. Readers will find descriptions of model systems that present parallels (and differences) between discoveries in different species, demonstrating the importance of multidisciplinary research that spans a broad array of technologies and model organisms. Written from both a cross-methodology and cross-species perspective, the book provides readers with the current state of knowledge on the molecular biology of Parkinson's. - Written by experts in the field that focus on pathways and mechanisms implicated in Parkinson's pathology - Draws parallels between multidisciplinary discoveries in different model organisms using an array of technologies - Provides a cross-methodology and cross-species approach to understanding the molecular biology of Parkinson's disease - Includes approximately 25 color Illustrations and diagrams to explain concepts and models - Focuses on key pathways and mechanisms (as opposed to model organism or gene) to provide a multidisciplinary approach to Parkinson's disease

The Neuroscience of Parkinson's Disease (two volume set) provides a single source of material covering different scientific domains of neuropathology underlying this condition. The book covers a wide range of subjects and unravels the complex relationships between genetics, molecular biology, pharmaceutical chemistry, neurobiology, imaging, assessments, and treatment regimens. The book also fills a much-needed gap as a "one-stop" synopsis of everything to do with the neurology and neuroscience related to Parkinson's disease—from chemicals and cells to individuals. It is an invaluable resource for neuroscientists, neurologists, and anyone in the field. - Offers the most comprehensive coverage of a broad range of topics related to Parkinson's disease - Serves as a foundational collection for neuroscientists and neurologists on the biology of disease and brain dysfunction - Contains in each chapter an abstract, key facts, mini dictionary of terms, and summary points to aid in understanding - Features preclinical and clinical studies to help researchers map out key areas for research and further clinical recommendations - Serves as a "one-stop" source for everything you need to know about Parkinson's disease

This newest volume of Advances in Neurobiology deals with the Neurochemistry of disease, with chapters covering both human diseases and animal “model” diseases.

The brain is the most complex organ in our body. Indeed, it is perhaps the most complex structure we have ever encountered in nature. Both structurally and functionally, there are many peculiarities that differentiate the brain from all other organs. The brain is our connection to the world around us and by governing nervous system and higher function, any disturbance induces severe neurological and psychiatric disorders that can have a devastating effect on quality of life. Our understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the brain has improved dramatically in the last two decades. In particular, the critical role of cations, including magnesium, has become evident, even if incompletely understood at a mechanistic level. The exact role and regulation of magnesium, in particular, remains elusive, largely because intracellular levels are so difficult to routinely quantify. Nonetheless, the importance of magnesium to normal central nervous system activity is self-evident given the complicated homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the concentration of this cation within strict limits essential for normal physiology and metabolism. There is also considerable accumulating evidence to suggest alterations to some brain functions in both normal and pathological conditions may be linked to alterations in local magnesium concentration. This book, containing chapters written by some of the foremost experts in the field of magnesium research, brings together the latest in experimental and clinical magnesium research as it relates to the central nervous system. It offers a complete and updated view of magnesiums involvement in central nervous system function and in so doing, brings together two main pillars of contemporary neuroscience research, namely providing an explanation for the molecular mechanisms involved in brain function, and emphasizing the connections between the molecular changes and behavior. It is the untiring efforts of those magnesium researchers who have dedicated their lives to unraveling the mysteries of magnesiums role in biological systems that has inspired the collation of this volume of work.