This book is the result of the 20th International Summer School in Brain Research, organized in August 1997 in Amsterdam, by the Netherlands Institute for Brain Research at the Royal Netherlands Academy of Sciences. It is the first book that provides a complete overview of the field of neurodegeneration and regeneration including spinal cord injury, neurodegenerative diseases and therapy. Divided into five sections, the first two sections give an overview of fundamental research on nerve cell death, neuronal survival, neurite outgrowth and guidance. Extensive attention is given to the role of neurotrophins, their receptor tyrosine kinases and cell-adhesion molecules in development and regeneration of the nervous system. The third section of the book is devoted to research involving human neurodegenerative diseases and emerging treatment strategies. Section four focusses on recent advances in the understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases along with prion diseases. Novel insights into the neuropathological hallmarks of these diseases, as well as into transgenic animal models, the involvement of environmental factors, and genomic and mRNA changes that can cause neurodegeneration. The final section of this volume reveals recent developments in the use of cell and gene therapy to treat neurodegenerative disease and lesion-related deficits. Implantation of genetically modified cells, direct gene transfer with viral vectors and the first clinical trials with encapsulated genetically modified cells in patients suffering from amyotrophic lateral scelerosis are examples of new therapeutic strategies treating neurodegenerative diseases. The book is of particular interest to departments of neuroscience, neurological clinics and departments, the pharmalogical industry and medical libraries.

Degeneration and Regeneration in the Nervous System brings together an international team of contributors to produce a series of critical reviews appraising key papers in the field. The pace of research on brain and spinal cord injury quickened considerably in the last ten years and there is much that is new and important that is covered in this book. However, there is still a long way to go before our knowledge will explain fully why the central nervous system has such a limited capacity for regeneration, and before experimental solutions can be applied to the patient. With emphasis on actual and therapeutic importance of the work reviewed, Degeneration and Regeneration in the Nervous System is a useful overview for graduate students, their teachers and researchers working in this field.

Dahlem Workshop Reports Life Sciences Research Report 51 Neurodegenerative Disorders Mechanisms and Prospects for Therapy Edited by D.L. Price, H. Thoenen and A.J. Aguayo Neurological disorders, particularly the neurodegenerative diseases involving the central nervous system, are characterized by dysfunction and death of specific populations of nerve cells. Cellular and molecular neurobiological strategies have begun to clarify the mechanisms of neuronal degeneration and have led to the design of new approaches to prevent cell degeneration, promote cell survival, and restore the functions of diseased nerve cells. This book provides new information concerning these processes. Background papers review exciting new developments concerning: (a) the mechanisms of neuronal degeneration caused by genetic factors, excitotoxins, and calcium; (b) the molecular pathology leading to abnormalities in Alzheimer’s disease and the spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases; (c) the biological substrates of cell differentiation, axon guidance, and target recognition during development, repair, and recovery; and (d) the potential therapeutic efficacies of growth factors and grafted cells in re-establishing circuits essential for the restoration of function. The group discussions and background papers in this Dahlem Workshop Report communicate both the excitement and enthusiasm of the participants facing the scientific challenges that are part of this important area of neurobiological research. This volume will be of special interest to professionals in the fields of molecular/cell biology, genetics, neuroanatomy, neurochemistry, developmental neurobiology, and neuropathology as well as clinicians working in neurology and psychiatry. Goal of this Dahlem Workshop: to understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurological disease and to explore new approaches to treatment.