In Neuroprotective Signal Transduction prominent researchers and clinicians focus on how inter- and intracellular signaling mechanisms prevent the degeneration and death of neurons occurring in both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders. Authoritative contributions dissect the signaling pathways of an array of neuroprotective factors-ranging from neurotrophins (NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5), to growth factors (bFGF, IGF-1, GDNF), to cytokines (TNF, IL-1b, and TGFb), to secreted amyloid precursor proteins, to protease nexin-1. Also treated are cytoprotective signaling events that occur within injured neurons independently of intercellular signals.

Neuroprotective Signal Transduction presents fundamental, cutting-edge treatment of the cellular and molecular signal transduction pathways found in human neurodegenerative conditions. The book's elucidation of the molecular cascades evolved by the nervous system to protect itself is now lead to effective strategies for preventing neuronal degeneration in such conditions as stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and will form the basis for powerful new drug discovery and gene therapy strategies.

Inhalt

Neuroprotective Strategies Involving the Neurotrophins and Their Signaling Pathways, Joe E. Springer and Patrick H. Kitzman. Nerve Growth Factor and Its Receptors in the Primate Forebrain: Alterations in Alzheimer's Disease and Potential Use in Experimental Therapeutics, Elliott J. Mufson and J. H. Kordower. Molecular Mechanisms of Neuroprotection from Neuronal Death by Trophic Factor Deprivation, Thomas L. Deckwerth. Gene Induction and Neuronal Apoptosis, Steve Estus. Clinical Potential of Compounds That Stimulate Nerve Growth Factor Production, Atsumi Nitta, Shoei Furukawa, and Toshitaka Nabeshima. Preclinical Studies of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (bFGF) in Experimental Models of Stroke, Ilknur Ay and Seth P. Finklestein. Transforming Growth Factor-b Signaling and Neuroprotection: Relevance to Ischemic Brain Injury, Alzheimer's, and Parkinson's Disease, Kerstin Krieglstein and Josef Krieglstein. Protective and Regenerative Properties of GDNF in the Central Nervous System, Wayne A. Cass, Cecilia M. Kearns, and Don M. Gash. Tumor Necrosis Factor: The Good, the Bad, and the Umbra, Steven W. Barger. Neuroprotective Strategies Based on Interleukin Signaling, David Martin, Gerald Miller, and Norman Fischer. Signaling by b-Amyloid Precursor Protein, Katsutoshi Furukawa. Clinical Potential of Agents That Affect Thrombin Signaling in Degenerative and Traumatic Neurologic Disorders, Barry W. Festoff. Thrombin and Thrombin Inhibitors: Roles in Acute and Chronic Neurodegenerative Disorders, Virginia L. Smith-Swintosky. Deleterious and Salutary Effects of Steroid Hormones in the Nervous System: Possible Mediating Cellular Mechanisms, Robert M. Sapolsky. Therapeutic Potential of Leukocyte Antiadhesion Strategies in CNS Ischemia, Wayne M. Clark and Justin A. Zivin. Neuroprotective Strategies Based on Targeting of Postreceptor Signaling Events, Mark P. Mattson. Index.