Illustrations by Lorie M. Gavulic, MFA Sponsored by the American Society for Neurochemistry.

Traditionally, intercellular communication and the regulation of biological functions of the body have been considered the role of two major and distinct systems: the nervous system and the endocrine system. The classic nervous system transmitted its signal rapidly by using electrical currents, whereas the signals used by the endocrine system were hormones produced by endocrine glands which reached the target tissues via the blood stream. During the past few decades, it has become apparent that these systems of intercellular com munication are not distinct and the signal messenger molecules are not unique to one or the other system. Many classic endocrine hormones are found in and act on nervous tissues and evidence exists for their de novo synthesis by neural related tissues. An exciting development in this area is the possibility that insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGF) are not only produced by neural tissues but also exert profound physiological and biochemical effects on these tissues. The area of investigation of CNS insulin and IGF has been expanding rapidly and the availability of this book complete with up-to-date reviews on the subject by leaders in the field allows other scientists to utilize the knowledge in planning and adapting the latest ideas for future experiments. In addition, the book provides a collection of up-to-date articles for teachers to be used for the latest instructional material. The first section of the book covers general aspects of insulin receptors and insulin action.

This cutting-edge book brings advances in genetics, neurobiology, and psychopharmacology to the clinic to enhance treatment for neurodevelopmental disorders. Significant progress has been made in identifying the neurobiological mechanisms of several disorders and targeted treatments are modifying the outcome of these disorders. However, the ability to utilize this knowledge has not been summarized in one place for the practicing clinician. This book will fill that gap by providing the theoretical underpinnings and the latest advances in targeted treatments. Several neurodevelopmental disorders are reviewed in detail including clinical features and behavioral phenotypes, standard treatments and new targeted treatments based on the latest advances in neurobiology and the animal model studies that have lead to new treatments. The disorders covered include psychiatric disorders: schizophrenia, depression, autism and ADHD; single gene disorders including Tuberous Sclerosis, Fragile X Syndrome and fragile X- associated disorders, Angelman Syndrome, PKU, and Muscular Dystrophies; and complex genetic disorders such as Down syndrome. This book also highlights the commonalities across disorders and new genetic and molecular concepts in an easy to read format. This is a very exciting time for new targeted treatments and this volume is a landmark treatise on this new age of treatment.

This Special Issue of Cells on “Insulin-Like Growth Factors in Development, Cancers and Aging” provides a collection of modern articles dealing with the role of insulin-like growth factors (IGF1) in cancer biology, aging and development. Featured articles explore basic and clinical aspects of the IGF1 system, including post-genomic analyses as well as novel approaches to target the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) in oncology.

This book devotes a chapter to each RTK family and the multiple receptors within each family, thoroughly covering all of the RTKs. The chapters all follow the same structure, presenting this essential information in an accessible and user-friendly format. Each chapter covers one specific family of receptors and begins with a general introduction to that family and a comprehensive discussion of that receptor’s family in development and human disease. Following are in-depth analyses of each family’s receptors with discussions on the gene, protein, ligands, activation, and signaling pathways along with discussion of receptor processing and signal attenuation. Further, cross talk with other receptors systems, post-translational modification and specific unique characteristics to each RTK are discussed. Because it isolates and explains each family, this book is an essential companion volume to Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Structure, Functions and Role in Human Disease, by the same authors, which talks about RTKs more generally and without the family-by-family detail.

First published in 1943, Vitamins and Hormones is the longest-running serial published by Academic Press. The Editorial Board now reflects expertise in the field of hormone action, vitamin action, X-ray crystal structure, physiology, and enzyme mechanisms. Under the capable and qualified editorial leadership of Dr. Gerald Litwack, Vitamins and Hormones continues to publish cutting-edge reviews of interest to endocrinologists, biochemists, nutritionists, pharmacologists, cell biologists, and molecular biologists. Others interested in the structure and function of biologically active molecules like hormones and vitamins will, as always, turn to this series for comprehensive reviews by leading contributors to this and related disciplines.This volume focuses on insulin and IGFs. - Longest running series published by Academic Press - Contributions by leading international authorities

"The Handbook is intended to be a service to the neuroscience community, to help in finding available and useful information, to point out gaps in our knowledge, and to encourage continued studies. It represents the valuable contributions of the many authors of the chapters and the guidance of the editors and most important, it represents support for research in this discipline. Based on the rapid advances in the years since the second edition."--Publisher's website.