Applications Of Biotechnology In Neurology

Culling together excerpts from a wide range of writings by Dr. Kewal K. Jain on biotechnology topics as they relate to disorders of the nervous system, Applications of Biotechnology in Neurology covers a variety of applications for those working in life sciences and the pharmaceutical sciences, particularly those developing diagnostics and therapeutics for the nervous system. This detailed volume delves into areas such as neurobiotechnology, like neurogenomics and neuroproteomics, molecular diagnostics, various methods of improving systemic administration of drugs for targeted delivery to the nervous system, including the use of nanobiotechnology, biotechnology-based strategies and products for neuroprotection, as well as chapters on neurosurgery and personalized neurology. Thorough, cutting-edge, and thoughtfully organized, Applications of Biotechnology in Neurology serves as an ideal guide, supplemented by 75 tables and 16 figures as well as numerous references from recent literature on this topic, which are appended to each chapter.

This book focuses on interdisciplinary research in the field of biomedical engineering and neuroscience. Biomedical engineering is a vast field, ranging from bioengineering to brain-computer interfaces. The book explores the system-level function and dysfunction of the nervous system from scientific and engineering perspectives. The initial sections introduce readers to the physiology of the brain, and to the biomedical tools needed for diagnostics and effective therapies for various neurodegenerative and regenerative disorders. In turn, the book summarizes the biomedical interventions that are used to understand the neural mechanisms underlying empathy disorders, and reviews recent advances in biomedical engineering for rehabilitation in connection with neurodevelopmental disorders and brain injuries. Lastly, the book discusses innovations in machine learning and artificial intelligence for computer-aided disease diagnosis and treatment, as well as applications of nanotechnology in therapeutic neurology.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the incredible advances achieved in the study of in vitro neuronal networks for use in basic and applied research. These cultures of dissociated neurons offer a perfect trade-off between complex experimental models and theoretical modeling approaches giving new opportunities for experimental design but also providing new challenges in data management and interpretation. Topics include culturing methodologies, neuroengineering techniques, stem cell derived neuronal networks, techniques for measuring network activity, and recent improvements in large-scale data analysis. The book ends with a series of case studies examining potential applications of these technologies.

This volume explores the latest eye-tracking methodologies that help researchers understand the background, methods, and applications involved in these studies. The chapters in this book cover topics such as methods and models of eye-tracking in natural environments; natural gaze informatics (i.e., assisted wheelchair mobility); eye-tracking application to understand the visual control of locomotion; eye movement in neurological disorders; and eye movements in sports research and practice. In the Neuromethods series style, chapters include the kind of detail and key advice from the specialists needed to get successful results in your laboratory. Cutting-edge and practical, Eye Tracking: Background, Methods, and Applications is a valuable resource for experienced and novice researchers interested in learning more about this field and its future developments.

This book is a first-of-its kind reference that systematically organizes and describes the adverse effects of drugs on the nervous system. Drug safety is recognized as an important aspect of pharmaceutical companies as well as practice of medicine. Chapters include case reports of adverse effects of drugs that are published as well as reported to drug manufacturers. The book scope is broad as it covers lack of efficacy, drug resistance, drug-disease and drug-drug interactions. This information is used to improve the use of drugs as well as to design better and safer drugs for the future, and is relevant to personalized medicine in trying to match the right drugs to the patients. Drug-induced Neurological Disorders offers a unique approach to this important topic by integrating clinical neurology with pharmacology with a focus on effects of drugs on the nervous system including those used for the treatment of neurological disorders as well systemic diseases. Many adverse effects involve multiple systems of the body and the syndromes with predominant effect on the nervous system are included in this book.

Based on advances in biotechnology and neuroscience, non-invasive neuromodulation devices are poised to gain clinical importance in the coming years and to be of increasing interest to patients, clinicians, health systems, payers, and industry. Evidence suggests that both therapeutic and non-therapeutic applications of non-invasive neuromodulation will continue to expand in coming years, particularly for indications where treatments are currently insufficient, such as drug-resistant depression. Given the growing interest in non-invasive neuromodulation technologies, the Institute of Medicine's Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders convened a workshop, inviting a range of stakeholders - including developers of devices and new technologies, researchers, clinicians, ethicists, regulators, and payers - to explore the opportunities, challenges, and ethical questions surrounding the development, regulation, and reimbursement of these devices for the treatment of nervous system disorders as well as for non-therapeutic uses, including cognitive and functional enhancement. This report highlights the presentation and discussion of the workshop.

Few areas of biomedical research provide greater opportunities for radically new therapies for devastating diseases that have evaded treatment so far than gene therapy. This is particularly true for the brain and nervous system, where gene transfer has become a key technology for basic research and has recently been translated to human therapy in several landmark clinical trials. Gene Therapy of the Central Nervous System: From Bench to Bedside represents the first definitive volume on this subject. Edited by two pioneers of neurological gene therapy, this volume contains contributions by leaders who helped create this field and are expanding the promise of gene therapy for the future of basic and clinical neuroscience. Drawing upon this extensive collective experience, this book provides clear and informative reviews on a variety of subjects of interest to anyone exploring or using gene therapy for neurobiological applications in research and clinical praxis. * Presents gene transfer technologies with particular emphases upon novel vehicles, immunological issues and the role of gene therapy in stem cells * Discusses preclinical areas that are likely to translate into clinical studies in the near future, including epilepsy, pain and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis * Includes "insider" information on technological and regulatory issues which can often limit effective translation of even the most promising idea into clinical use

This book, now in a thoroughly revised second edition, offers a comprehensive review of the rapidly growing field of optogenetics, in which light-sensing proteins are genetically engineered into cells in order to acquire information on cellular physiology in optical form or to enable control of specific network in the brain upon activation by light. Light-sensing proteins of various living organisms are now available to be exogenously expressed in neurons and other target cells both in vivo and in vitro. Cellular functions can thus be manipulated or probed by light. The new edition documents fully the extensive progress since publication of the first edition to provide an up-to-date overview of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of light-sensing proteins and their application in biological systems, particularly in neuroscience but also in medicine and the optical sciences. Underlying principles are explained and detailed information provided on a wide range of optogenetic tools for the observation and control of cellular signaling and physiology, gene targeting technologies, and optical methods for biological applications. In presenting the current status of optogenetics and emerging directions, this milestone publication will be a "must read" for all involved in research in any way related to optogenetics.