GABAergic neurons provide most of the inhibitory drive of adult networks and play major roles in the integrative properties of brain networks. Alterations of GABAergic signals are associated with major neurological disorders and GABA mimetic drugs are widely used as comfort molecules and to treat several brain disorders. Thus, the inhibitory drive is altered in epilepsies, infantile developmentally related disorders but also Parkinson disease, and anoxo-ischemic insults to just name a few. From the developmental stand point, GABAergic neurons mature before principal neurons and provide an important source of early activities and are thus instrumental in activity dependent modulation of the construction of cortical functional units. The goal of this Research Topic is to bring together experts studying GABA signals at the molecular, cellular and network levels in physiological and pathological conditions and to examine the fate of GABA signals along transversal ideas linking these diverse domains. A particular emphasis is brain maturation as it is now clear that alteration of developmental sequences -notably of GABA signals- impairs brain development leading to life long deleterious neurological sequels. While this Frontiers Research Topic originated as a repository of work presented at CNCR Amsterdam, papers are invited from researchers continuing to work on this topic as the field expands.

Jasper's Basic Mechanisms, Fourth Edition, is the newest most ambitious and now clinically relevant publishing project to build on the four-decade legacy of the Jasper's series. In keeping with the original goal of searching for "a better understanding of the epilepsies and rational methods of prevention and treatment.", the book represents an encyclopedic compendium neurobiological mechanisms of seizures, epileptogenesis, epilepsy genetics and comordid conditions. Of practical importance to the clinician, and new to this edition are disease mechanisms of genetic epilepsies and therapeutic approaches, ranging from novel antiepileptic drug targets to cell and gene therapies.

In the past several years, there has been an exciting body of new research that links impairments in the expression or function of neuronal chloride transporters to a growing number of diseases spanning from autism to brain aging. This book introduces the core concepts and highlights the recent advances in understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of the KCC and NKCC families of neuronal chloride transporters. Neuronal chloride transporter biology is reviewed, including roles in setting the transmembrane chloride gradient and the chloride transport-independent functions, such as regulating excitatory neurotransmission. Chapters are also dedicated to addressing the structure, post-translational modification, membrane trafficking, and protein interaction partners of neuronal chloride transporters, as well as the genetic and environmental factors that regulate their expression in neurons and the novel therapeutic approaches that target neuronal chloride transporters to treat neurological diseases. This new volume will provide readers with an up-to-date summary of the recent advances in neuronal chloride transporter research, with particular emphasis on some of the key emerging topics in the field. - Summarizes roles of KCCs and NKCCs in regulating inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission - Reviews the molecular and cellular biology of neuronal chloride transporters - Links neuronal chloride transporter deficiencies to autism, epilepsy, depression, and more - Identifies role of transporter deficiencies in pain as well as brain and spinal cord injury - Discusses drug research targeting neuronal chloride transporters for nervous system diseases

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.