Chemical Approaches to Brain Function

Neurosciences Research, Volume 5: Chemical Approaches to Brain Function is an eight-chapter text that discusses the advances in the techniques used to examine the development, control, and function of neurotransmitters in the central nervous system.
The opening chapter deals with the use of organ culture to investigate the processes of axonal growth of adrenergic neurons, the control of synthesis of norepinephrine, and its release on new axonal sprouts. These topics are followed by a presentation of the development of adrenergic neurons in the central nervous system. The next three chapters consider the function of central adrenergic neurons; the use of 6-hydroxydopamine and catecholamine fluorescence; and the effects of L-dopa on protein synthesis. The discussion then shifts to the catecholamines in the central nervous system to aggressive behavior and the amino acids as neurotransmitters. The concluding chapter focuses on the cholinergic transmission in describing some neurophysiological and neurochemical correlates of behavior.
Neuroscientists and neuroresearchers will find this book invaluable.

Contenu

List of Contributors
Preface
Contents of Previous Volumes
Sympathetic Ganglia in Organ Culture
I. Introduction
II. Development of the Peripheral Nervous System and the Role of Nerve Growth Factor ( NGF )
III. Organ Culture of Adult Sympathetic Ganglia
IV. Regulation of Enzyme Levels in Sympathetic Ganglia
V. Conclusion
References
The Development of Catecholaminergic Neurons of the Central Nervous System
I. Introduction
II. Histogenesis of the Catecholaminergic Neurons
III. Endogenous Dopamine and Norepinephrine
IV. Enzymes Involved in the Biosynthesis and Inactivation of Catecholamines
V. Uptake and Storage Mechanisms for Catecholamines
VI. Functional Aspects of Developing Catecholaminergic Neurons
VII. Summary
References
Studies on the Function of Central Noradrenergic Neurons
I. Introduction
II. Localizing Norepinephrine-Containing Central Synapses
III. Effects of Norepinephrine on Central Neurons
IV. Actions of Norepinephrine on Defined Postsynaptic Neurons
V. The Noradrenergic Synaptic Projection to Cerebellar Purkinje Cells
VI. Discharge Patterns of Norepinephrine-Containing Neurons in Unrestrained, Unanesthetized Cats
VII. Conclusions
References
Selective Lesions of Central Catecholamine Pathways: Application in Functional Studies
I. Introduction
II. Materials and Methods
III. Principal Organization of the Monoamine Pathways
IV. Selective Lesions of the Monoamine Pathways on the Basis of Their Anatomy
V. Stereotaxic Lesions with 6-Hydroxydopamine
VI. Interpretation of Lesion Studies
VII. Functional Studies on the Nigrostriatal DA System after 6-Hydroxydopamine Lesions
VIII. Conclusions
References
Effects of Inhibitors and Stimulators of Protein Synthesis on the Cerebral Actions of L-Dopa
I. Introduction
II. Materials and Methods
III. Observations
IV. Summary
References
The Catecholamines and Aggressive Behavior
I. Introduction
II. The Peripheral Nervous System, Catecholamines, and Aggression
III. The Central Nervous System, Catecholamines, and Aggression
IV. Clinical Associations
V. Conclusions
References
Amino Acids as Central Nervous Transmitters: Biochemical Studies
I. Introduction
II. Uptake Studies
III. Unique Synaptosomes Storing Certain Amino Acids
IV. New Directions
References
Interdisciplinary Approach to the Study of Behavior in Related Mice Types
I. Introduction
II. Evolution, Behavior, and Neurotransmitters in Different Strains and Species of Mice
III. The Effects of Drastic Changes in Afferent Input on Behavior and Neurochemistry in Mice
IV. The Effects of Environmental Stress on Behavior and Neurotransmitters in Mice
V. Drug Effects on Behavior and Mouse Brain Chemistry
VI. Speculations and Conclusions
References
Author Index
Subject Index