Neurotransmitters Receptors

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.

Understanding the mechanisms that underlie brain activity and function remains one of the major frontiers of biology. All the processes of how we co-ordinate our movements, sense our surroundings, react to stimuli and learn and retain information rely on complicated networks of neurons thatcommunicate with each other and their targets. This fast and accurate intercellular signalling most occurs at synapses, specialized processes of neurons that release chemical signals, called neurotransmitters. Neurotransmitters: Frontiers in Molecular Biology will provide the reader withextensive background information on neurotransmitter release. It takes a multidisciplinary approach, but does not assume previous knowledge having basic introductions to most topics. Topics however are covered in enough detail to be of interest to experts in the field. Throughout, emphasis is placedon the rationale by which proteins are assigned specific functions rather than just providing facts about function. The first chapter provides an introduction to the basic features and properties of the synapse and is followed by a chapter detailing several important techniques used to elucidatevarious aspects of release. Chapters 3 describes many of the biochemical approaches used to identify proteins involved in neurotransmitter release and then chapters 4 and 5 focus on more specific aspects of synaptic transmission: the proteins that transport neurotransmitters and the role ofphosphlipids in the process. The next five chapters concentrate on approaches to unravel the function of many proteins in vivo by using toxins, giant squid axons, C. elegans, Drosophila, and mice. The final chapter summarizes current knowledge on endocytosis and recycling. Knowledge of themolecular mechanisms underlying neurotransmitter release has expanded tremendously over the last 10 years. Many of the proteins involved have been isolated, but their roles have yet to be determined. These discoveries will be a major challenge and it is therefore the major aim of this book not onlyto provide information but also to generate excitement.

Since the discovery that neuronal transmission can be chemically mediated, a large number of compounds have been found in the mammalian central nervous system which appear to function as neurotransmitter agents. Recently, electrophysiological and biochemical methods have been developed which have enabled neuroscientists to classify better the myriad of neurotransmitter receptor sites in brain and to study their properties in finer detail. As a result of these investigations, a significant number of new discoveries have been made about the mechanisms involved in neurotransmitter receptor interactions, the role neurotransmitters play in the actions of pharmacological agents and in the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders. The present two volume text was compiled to summarize the information relating to the physiological, biochemical, pharmacological and functional characteristics of neurotransmitter receptor sites. While emphasis is placed on neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian central nervous system, the characteristics of these receptors in other species, both vertebrate and invertebrate, are also discussed where appropriate. While these books cover the major classes of putative neurotransmitters - amino acids, peptides and biogenic amines - and are therefore broad in scope, each is discussed in a concise fashion to highlight the major points of historical and contemporary interest. In addition to outlining data, each chapter addresses current theories relating to the various aspects of receptor properties and function in an attempt to reveal the directions of future research and as a stimulus for other workers in the field.

Since the discovery that neuronal transmission can be chemically mediated, a large number of compounds have been found in the mammalian central nervous system which appear to function as neurotransmitter agents. Recently, electro physiological and biochemical methods have been developed which have enabled neuroscientists to classify better the myriad of neurotransmitter receptor sites in brain and to study their properties in finer detail. As a result of these investigations, a significant number of new discoveries have been made about the mechanisms involved in neurotransmitter receptor interactions, the role neurotransmitters play in the actions of pharmacological agents and in the pathogenesis of various neuropsychiatric disorders. The present two volume text was compiled to summarize the information relating to the physiological, biochemical, pharmacological and functional characteristics of neurotransmitter receptor sites. While emphasis is placed on neurotransmitter receptors in the mammalian central nervous system, the characteristics of these receptors in other species, both vertebrate and invertebrate, are also discussed where appropriate. While these books cover the major classes of putative neurotransmitters - amino acids, peptides and biogenic amines - and are therefore broad in scope, each is discussed in a concise fashion to highlight the major points of historical and contemporary interest. In addition to outlining data, each chapter addresses current theories relating to the various aspects of receptor properties and function in an attempt to reveal the directions of future research and as a stimulus for other workers in the field.

Receptors for cell hormones, growth factors, Fourth, alterations in the development of neu and neurotransmitters are involved in the ral receptors may have profound implications control and modulation of an enormous array for the structure and function of the of biological processes. The development of organism. As much as possible, the reper these receptors has distinct spatial and tem cussions of disrupting the orchestration of poral arrangements, and alterations in this receptor development in the nervous system pattern during embryogenesis can have signi are discussed. In many instances, however, ficant consequences for the well-being of the we are just beginning to learn about some fetus, infant, child and adult. The developing receptors and the authors may not be in a nervous system is particularly dependent on position to discuss the consequences of recep receptors because its period of structural and tor dysfunction. functional organization extends through both In designing these two volumes, we have prenatal and postnatal phases. Moreover, asked major figures in each field to review the receptors are a key element in neural com literature, to apprise the audience of their munication in both the developing and adult latest findings, and to provide a perspective on organism, so that the ontogeny of receptors is the role of receptors in the developing nervous crucial in determining the myriad connections system. These books are intended to sum forming the circuitry of the nervous system.

Neurotransmitters, Drugs and Brain Function aims to link basic aspects of the activity of neurotransmitters at the receptor and synaptic level with their role in normal brain function, disease states, and drug action. Thus, the material considers to what extent our knowledge of the central synaptic action of certain drugs can explain their possible roles in the cause of diseases and in the modes of action of drugs effective in those conditions. It offers a working explanation of drug and neurotransmitter action in CNS function, with a clear, comprehensive, and challenging style of writing. The authors review the chemical basis for drugs and the conditions they treat. It also, includes numerous illustrations and schematic diagrams.

This comprehensive compilation provides a wealth of information on receptor sequences produced by recombinant DNA techniques used in combination with classical biochemistry. To minimize redundancies in this wealth of information, only a few receptors (some of which are typical for a whole group of similar receptors, others which are presently of special interest) are dealt with in a full-size chapter. Others are represented in the TIPS Receptor Nomenclature Supplement which is included as a special feature in this book, making this volume more useful as a receptor handbook.

Advances in Pharmacology and Therapeutics II, Volume 2: Neurotransmitters-Receptors is the second of a six-volume compilation of the scientific papers of invited speakers of the Eighth International Congress of Pharmacology. Organized into seven parts, this book begins with an invited lecture on the kinetic analysis of the neuronal and extraneuronal uptake and metabolism of catecholamines. Subsequent parts discuss the regulation of receptor-mediated events; presynaptic receptors in the peripheral and central nervous system; neurotransmitters; and receptor antibodies. The isolated nervous systems in the research of neurotransmission and trophic interactions between nerve and muscle are also discussed.