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This book provides a new compilation of information that link changes in the basic structure of synapses and brain diseases. The book shows that specific secreted proteins, and short peptide mimicking the function of neural cell adhesion molecules can significantly enhance the formation of synapses in the brain. It describes recent advances in research that lay necessary scientific groundwork to develop pharmacological treatments.
Calcium signalling is an astonishing example how a simple caption can trigger and regulate an enormous variety of cellular and physiological responses. Ca2+-signalling routes very often involve Ca2+-binding proteins that sense changes in intracellular [Ca2+] and trigger cellular responses by regulating specific targets. One fascinating group among these Ca2+-sensors are the neuronal calcium sensor (NCS) proteins, named for their localisation in neuronal tissue (although there are reports of their expression in non-neuronal tissues as well). While recent excellent reviews have covered key aspects of this protein group, the field expanded in recent years making it more and more difficult to represent every facet of this ongoing research endeavour. This book is intended to represent properties of NCS proteins.
This Research Topic aims to highlight and cover recent understanding on striatal signaling pathways, which are activated by a variety of therapeutic agents or drugs of abuse in physiological and pathological context. The recent development of different mouse models allowing the identification of specific cell types and neuronal circuits in which a given signaling pathway is activated in various physiological and pathological conditions provides essential information and allowed to untangle the complexity of study signal transduction in the brain in vivo.
Studies in human patients and animal models of disease suggest a strong correlation between defects in dendrite development and common neurological disorders such as autism. Much of this book is thus dedicated toward highlighting recent advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate the development and maintenance of dendrites, a crucial component of neurons. The book begins by presenting the current state of knowledge on the building blocks or cell biology of dendrites. Mechanisms that sculpt the stereotypic architecture of dendritic arbors and shape their connectivity are also discussed, along with recent work describing how dendritic organization and ...
Neural plasticity is a unique and adaptive feature of nervous system, which allows neurons to reorganize their interactions in response to a stimulation (intrinsic or extrinsic) to maintain their function. For these reasons, epigenetics emerges as a potential field for developing strategies to modulate changes in pathological situation because extrinsic factors and pharmacological tools can modify neural functioning in organisms during their life. Diet, exercise, environmental aspects, stressors or drugs are available to alter those mechanisms. Epigenetic involves certain molecular signaling pathways, as DNA methylation and histone acetylation and deacetylation, and the emerging non-coding s...
What makes us remember? Why do we forget? And what, exactly, is a memory? Diving for Seahorses answers these questions and more, offering an illuminating look at one of our most fascinating faculties: our memory. Sisters Hilde and Ylva Østby – one an acclaimed writer the other a neuropsychologist—skilfully interweave history, research and personal stories in this fascinating exploration of the evolving science of memory from its Renaissance beginnings to the present day. They interview top neuroscientists, famous novelists, taxi drivers and quizmasters to help explain how memory works, why it sometimes fails and what we can do to improve it. Filled with cutting-edge research and compelling case studies, the result is a gripping—and unforgettable—adventure through human memory. ‘UNFORGETTABLE – so many fascinating people, stories and brilliant techniques. I’ll never trust a memory again.’ — Robyn Williams, presenter of The Science Show ‘Gorgeously researched and written. Be prepared to emerge with a different sense of your life’s memories.’ — David Eagleman, neuroscientist and New York Times bestselling author of The Brain
This volume foxuses on the status of Ca2+ ions in regulation of phototransduction, light adaptation and the recovery phase in vertebrate photoreceptors. Particular emphasis is given to Ca2+-binding proteins and their targets, among them particulate guanylate cyclases, GPCR-coupled kinases and cyclic nucleotide-gated cation channels. The book also expands our understanding of events invovling Ca2+ in the retinal pigment epithelium, in synaptic transmission and secondary retinal neurons. A significant part of the book is dedicated to the role of Ca2+ in invertebrate phototransduction, the best-studied phospholipid-mediated signal transduction pathway. Several chapters explore association of gene defects with human retina disease and the generation of animal models of retinal degeneration.