This title acts as a primer, giving students and newcomers to the field an opportunity to learn about the breadth of the CNS drug discovery. The book outlines the core processes in drug discovery and development for CNS disorders, from evaluating drugs for desirable efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic features in preclinical (using in vitro and in vivo models) and clinical experimentation to identifying future drug targets. Containing up-to-date experimental evidence and detailing the main impediments in the pipeline of CNS drug discovery and development, this is a key reference for those involved in all stages of CNS drug discovery. Key Features: Discusses in detail the key stages of CNS drug discovery, outlining the particular requirements and obstacles for CNS drugs Addresses safety concerns and future drug targets Provides succinct background information about the major CNS diseases Examples of specific drugs are used throughout to describe the development of a new drug from conception to clinical use and post-market surveillance Primary reasons for drug failure are given for each stage

Neurological Disorders is written for researchers in both academia and the pharmaceutical industry who use animal models in research and development of drugs for neurological disorders such as neurofibromatosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington disease, ALS, and the epilepsies. Neurological Disorders has introductory chapters expressing the view of the role and relevance of animal models for drug discovery and development for the treatment of psychiatric disorders from the perspective of (a) academic basic neuroscientific research, (b) applied pharmaceutical drug discovery and development, and (c) issues of clinical trial design and regulatory agencies limitations. Each volume examines the rationale, use, robustness and limitations of animal models in each therapeutic area covered and discuss the use of animal models for target identification and validation. The clinical relevance of animal models is discussed in terms of major limitations in cross-species comparisons, clinical trial design of drug candidates, and how clinical trial endpoints could be improved. The aim of this series of volumes on Animal and Translational Models for CNS Drug Discovery is to identify and provide common endpoints between species that can serve to inform both the clinic and the bench with the information needed to accelerate clinically-effective CNS drug discovery. This is the second volume in the three volume-set, Animal and Translational Models for CNS Drug Discovery 978-0-12-373861-5, which is also available for purchase individually. - Clinical, academic, government and industry perspectives fostering integrated communication between principle participants at all stages of the drug discovery process - Critical evaluation of animal and translational models improving transition from drug discovery and clinical development - Emphasis on what results mean to the overall drug discovery process - Exploration of issues in clinical trial design and conductance in each therapeutic area

This book illustrates, in a comprehensive manner, the most current areas of importance to Safety Pharmacology, a burgeoning unique pharmacological discipline with important ties to academia, industry and regulatory authorities. It provides readers with a definitive collection of topics containing essential information on the latest industry guidelines and overviews current and breakthrough topics in both functional and molecular pharmacology. An additional novelty of the book is that it constitutes academic, pharmaceutical and biotechnology perspectives for Safety Pharmacology issues. Each chapter is written by an expert in the area and includes not only a fundamental background regarding the topic but also detailed descriptions of currently accepted, validated models and methods as well as innovative methodologies used in drug discovery.

Presents the complicated process of CNS drug development in a way that is engaging and informative for professionals and students.

The development of new CNS drugs is notoriously difficult. Drugs must reach CNS target sites for action and these sites are protected by a number of barriers, the most important being the blood –brain barrier (BBB). Many factors are therefore critical to consider for CNS drug delivery, e.g. active/passive transport across the BBB, intra-brain distribution, and central/systemic pharmacokinetics, to name a few. Neurological disease and trauma conditions add further complexity because CNS barriers, drug distribution and pharmacokinetics are dynamic and often changed by disease/trauma. Knowledge of all these factors and their interplay in different conditions is of utmost importance for proper CNS drug development and disease treatment. In recent years much information has become available for a better understanding of the many factors important for CNS drug delivery and how they interact to affect drug action. This book describes small and large drug delivery to the brain with an emphasis on the physiology of the BBB and the principles and concepts for drug delivery across the BBB and distribution within the brain. It contains methods descriptions for studying drug delivery, routes and approaches of administering drugs into the brain, the influence of disease, and drug industry perspectives. Therewith, it contributes to an in-depth understanding of the interplay between brain (patho)-physiology and drug characteristics. Furthermore, the content is designed to be both cutting-edge and educational, so that the book can be used in high-level training of academic and industry scientists with full references to original publications. ​

Glutamate is the most pervasive neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Despite this fact, no validated biological markers, or biomarkers, currently exist for measuring glutamate pathology in CNS disorders or injuries. Glutamate dysfunction has been associated with an extensive range of nervous system diseases and disorders. Problems with how the neurotransmitter glutamate functions in the brain have been linked to a wide variety of disorders, including schizophrenia, Alzheimer's, substance abuse, and traumatic brain injury. These conditions are widespread, affecting a large portion of the United States population, and remain difficult to treat. Efforts to understand, treat, and prevent glutamate-related disorders can be aided by the identification of valid biomarkers. The Institute of Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders held a workshop on June 21-22, 2010, to explore ways to accelerate the development, validation, and implementation of such biomarkers. Glutamate-Related Biomarkers in Drug Development for Disorders of the Nervous System: Workshop Summary investigates promising current and emerging technologies, and outlines strategies to procure resources and tools to advance drug development for associated nervous system disorders. Moreover, this report highlights presentations by expert panelists, and the open panel discussions that occurred during the workshop.

This book provides medical professionals and researchers with a comprehensive overview of fundamental concepts and recent advances in neurochemistry, and offers new perspectives for all those involved with research in related disciplines. As drug discovery for neurodegenerative diseases is one of the largest subspecialties in the field of medicine, the book addresses topics that transcend the borders between disciplines, and presents a wealth of investigations into and discussions on critical questions relevant to the entire field of CNS drug research. It summarizes the available data on the fundamentals of neurotransmitters, treatment of and advanced care for neurodegenerative diseases; and outlines current and future research directions in this field. Combining both conventional and innovative approaches to the topic, the book offers a valuable guide for readers working in medicinal chemistry, the life sciences and allied fields.