Molecular Biology Of The Neuron

This book is a valuable compendium of up-to-date reviews of neuronal molecular biology by leading researchers in the field. It covers all aspects of neuron structure and function, with the emphasis on genetic and molecular analysis.

Intended for use by advanced undergraduate, graduate and medical students, this book presents a study of the unique biochemical and physiological properties of neurons, emphasising the molecular mechanisms that generate and regulate their activity.

A central problem in neurobiology concerns mechanisms that generate the pro found diversity and specificity of the nervous system. What is the substance of diversification and specificity at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels? 4 How, for example, do 1011 neurons each form approximately 10 interconnec tions, allowing normal physiological function? How does disruption of these processes result in human disease? These proceedings represent the efforts of molecular biologists, embryologists, neurobiologists, and clinicians to approach these issues. in this volume are grouped by subject to present the varieties The chapters of methods used to approach each individual area. Section I deals with embry ogenesis and morphogenesis of the nervous system. In Chapter 3, Weston and co-workers describe the use of monoclonal antibodies that recognize specific neuronal epitopes (including specific gangliosides) for the purpose of defining heterogeneity in the neural crest, an important model system. Immunocyto chemical analysis reveals the existence of distinct sUbpopulations within the crest at extremely early stages; cells express neuronal or glial binding patterns at the time of migration. Consequently, interactions with the environment may select for predetermined populations. Le Douarin reaches similar conclusions in Chapter 1 by analyzing migratory pathways and developmental potentials in crest of quail-

Molecular Biology of the Neuron covers all aspects of neuron structure and function, including ion channels, receptors and signalling properties, synapse biology, and the genes and molecules involved in the development, maintenance, diseases, and death of neurons. The inheritance and expression of neuronal genes are also described, with particular emphasis on their relation to human disease. This book is a valuable compendium of comprehensive and up-to-date reviews of neuronal molecularbiology by leading researchers in the field. The focus throughout is on genetic and molecular analysis, and on present knowledge of molecular biological phenomena in neurons themselves, giving Molecular Biology of the Neuron its unique perspective. It is essential reading for clinical and systems neuroscientists, and a valuable reference source for all molecular neurobiologists.

This textbook provides an introduction to neuroscience, focusing particularly on the rapidly developing molecular aspects. The techniques of molecular biology are introduced and described in the context of their role in elucidating brain function at the molecular level.

This text provides a broad but authoritative view of the cellular and molecular aspects of developmental neurobiology written by leaders in the field.