The Protein Alpha Synuclein Its Normal Role In Neurons And Its Role In Disease

This comprehensive reference provides a detailed overview of current concepts regarding the cause of Parkinson's disease-emphasizing the issues involved in the design, implementation, and analysis of epidemiological studies of parkinsonism.

Book Description: Alpha-synuclein is a synuclein protein of unknown function primarily found in neural tissue, making up as much as 1% of all proteins in the cytosol. It is predominantly expressed in the neocortex, hippocampus, substantia nigra, thalamus, and cerebellum. In this book, the authors discuss the functional mechanisms, structure and role in Parkinson's disease of alpha-synuclein. Topics include -synuclein accumulation in Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy; -synuclein metabolism and aggregation in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease; and the potential role of -synuclein dysregulation in Parkinson's disease pathology.

The editor of this volume, having research interests in the field of ROS production and the damage to cellular systems, has identified a number of enzymes showing ·OH scavenging activities details of which are anticipated to be published in the near future as confirmatory experiments are awaited. It is hoped that the information presented in this book on NDs will stimulate both expert and novice researchers in the field with excellent overviews of the current status of research and pointers to future research goals. Clinicians, nurses as well as families and caregivers should also benefit from the material presented in handling and treating their specialised cases. Also the insights gained should be valuable for further understanding of the diseases at molecular levels and should lead to development of new biomarkers, novel diagnostic tools and more effective therapeutic drugs to treat the clinical problems raised by these devastating diseases.

This volume covers the latest methods used in clinical neurochemistry laboratories for both clinical practice and research. Chapters in this book discuss topics such as techniques for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection, pre-analytical processing, and basic CSF analysis; an examination of biomarkers including ELISA and automated immunochemical assays for amyloid and tau markers for Alzheimer’s disease; the analysis of neurofilaments by digital ELISA; and an example of successful novel immunoassay development. 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 thorough, Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers is a valuable resource for clinicians and researchers to use in CSF labs and CSF courses.

Neurobiology of Brain Disorders is the first book directed primarily at basic scientists to offer a comprehensive overview of neurological and neuropsychiatric disease. This book links basic, translational, and clinical research, covering the genetic, developmental, molecular, and cellular mechanisms underlying all major categories of brain disorders. It offers students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers in the diverse fields of neuroscience, neurobiology, neurology, and psychiatry the tools they need to obtain a basic background in the major neurological and psychiatric diseases, and to discern connections between basic research and these relevant clinical conditions. This book addresses developmental, autoimmune, central, and peripheral neurodegeneration; infectious diseases; and diseases of higher function. The final chapters deal with broader issues, including some of the ethical concerns raised by neuroscience and a discussion of health disparities. Included in each chapter is coverage of the clinical condition, diagnosis, treatment, underlying mechanisms, relevant basic and translational research, and key unanswered questions. Written and edited by a diverse team of international experts, Neurobiology of Brain Disorders is essential reading for anyone wishing to explore the basic science underlying neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Links basic, translational, and clinical research on disorders of the nervous system, creating a format for study that will accelerate disease prevention and treatment Covers a vast array of neurological disorders, including ADHD, Down syndrome, autism, muscular dystrophy, diabetes, TBI, Parkinson, Huntington, Alzheimer, OCD, PTSD, schizophrenia, depression, and pain Illustrated in full color Each chapter provides in-text summary points, special feature boxes, and research questions Provides an up-to-date synthesis of primary source material

This volume represents a valuable and readily reproducible collection of established and emerging techniques for neuronal cell death research. Conveniently divided into four parts, sections cover a series of techniques for the molecular, structural, functional and genomic characterization of dying neurons, a number of protocols that are of primary interest in neuropathology and in experimental neuropathology, a series of gene engineering techniques to obtain and manipulate neuronal stem cells and progenitors, to prepare HSV-1 vectors for the gene therapy, and to CNS transplantation of bone marrow stem cells, and finally, some very interesting protocols for the study of cell death in non-mammalian models. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Neuronal Cell Death: Methods and Protocols seeks to serve a large audience of scientists that are currently active in the field or are willing to enter such an exciting and still expanding area of neurobiology.