Neuronal and Glial Proteins: Structure, Function, and Clinical Application focuses on the basic and clinical information relating to a number of proteins that are either enriched in or unique to nervous tissue. This book discusses the structural and functional characteristics of cell-specific proteins, which provide a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in processes that are specific to glia or neurons. Organized into three sections encompassing 15 chapters, this book starts with an overview of the fundamental principles and strategies involved in studying the anatomical, structural, functional, and immunological aspects of brain protein. This text then discusses the techniques, including the preparation of brain tissues as well as the preparation of neural and glial cells in purified form. Other chapters review the two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, which is recognized as a significant technique for discovering brain molecules. The final chapter deals with the membrane-associated nervous system proteins. Neurochemists and clinical researchers will find this book useful.

With the contribution from more than one hundred CNS neurotrauma experts, this book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date account on the latest developments in the area of neurotrauma including biomarker studies, experimental models, diagnostic methods, and neurotherapeutic intervention strategies in brain injury research. It discusses neurotrauma mechanisms, biomarker discovery, and neurocognitive and neurobehavioral deficits. Also included are medical interventions and recent neurotherapeutics used in the area of brain injury that have been translated to the area of rehabilitation research. In addition, a section is devoted to models of milder CNS injury, including sports injuries.

Intermediate Filament Proteins, the latest volume in the Methods in Enzymology series covers all the intermediate filaments in vertebrates and invertebrates, providing a unique understanding of the multiple different tissue-specific intermediate filaments. This volume also covers the latest methods that are currently being used to study intermediate filament protein function and dynamics. It will be an important companion for any experimentalist interesting in studying this protein family in their cell or organism model system.

The enteric nervous system (ENS) is a complex neural network embedded in the gut wall that orchestrates the reflex behaviors of the intestine. The ENS is often referred to as the “little brain” in the gut because the ENS is more similar in size, complexity and autonomy to the central nervous system (CNS) than other components of the autonomic nervous system. Like the brain, the ENS is composed of neurons that are surrounded by glial cells. Enteric glia are a unique type of peripheral glia that are similar to astrocytes of the CNS. Yet enteric glial cells also differ from astrocytes in many important ways. The roles of enteric glial cell populations in the gut are beginning to come to light and recent evidence implicates enteric glia in almost every aspect of gastrointestinal physiology and pathophysiology. However, elucidating the exact mechanisms by which enteric glia influence gastrointestinal physiology and identifying how those roles are altered during gastrointestinal pathophysiology remain areas of intense research. The purpose of this e-book is to provide an introduction to enteric glial cells and to act as a resource for ongoing studies on this fascinating population of glia. Table of Contents: Introduction / A Historical Perspective on Enteric Glia / Enteric Glia: The Astroglia of the Gut / Molecular Composition of Enteric Glia / Development of Enteric Glia / Functional Roles of Enteric Glia / Enteric Glia and Disease Processes in the Gut / Concluding Remarks / References / Author Biography

This comprehensive volume is a contribution to a new se ries initiated by the NATO Panel on "Gell to Gell Signals in Plants and Animals". The book reflects the outcome of an NATO work shop and bri ngs to mi nd two im portant questions: consideri ng the mass of relevant I iteratu reavai- able, is there any necessity for a new series of books - and considering the flood of compa rable meetings - is there any point in workshops of this nature and their publication? In order to deal with such questions adequately, much more space would be needed than is available in a foreword. Thus, the answers must remain rather superficial and, of course, rather subjective. To simplify the issue, the question of publication can be narrowed down to two fac tors - the financial risk, undertaken by the publisher, and the scientific risk, borne by the editor. If the book is good (with respect to lay-out and content) it will be a success - nothing will be lost the people involved will enhance their reputation! We are left with the question of the usefulness of workshops. Without doubt, it is indeed a useful procedure for experts to come together, in an atmosphere of harmony, and freedom from external pressures and time limitations, to discuss a well-defined theme. Wether in agreement or disagreement, a fair and open forum can be expectet for a variety of contributions.

This ambitious compendium provides an extensive overview on the "supporting cells" of the vertebrate central nervous system, these being glial cells which far outnumber neurons but are much less understood. Covering multiple aspects of this family of transporters-- from structural properties, to their involvement in signaling and gene expression regulation, this volume presents the most recent research on the roles of glial amino acid transporters as key molecules of brain metabolism and signaling.

Mild traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI or Concussion) is an increasingly common public health issue in sports, military environments, and life in today's active world. Despite a great deal of study and public attention to this disorder, knowledge about optimal diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment information remains lacking. Neurosensory symptoms have been shown to be the most frequent complications of mTBI in both the acute and chronic setting. Neurosensory Disorders in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury brings together both the basic science work as well as the clinical work in mTBI into one volume to provide a comprehensive examination of the neurosensory issues associated with this disorder. Coverage includes chapters on defining mild Traumatic Brain Injury, neurosensory consequences, neurosensory disorders in clinical practice, and diagnosis and treatment for neurosensory disorders in mTBI. This book is written for clinicians, researchers, residents and students in neurology and neuroscience. - Provides a comprehensive examination of the neurosensory issues associated with mild Traumatic Brain Injury and concussion - Brings together both the basic science work and the clinical work in mTBI into a single volume - Helps clinicians understand the best diagnosis and treatment paths and puts current research into perspective for researchers