Creatine and Creatine Kinase in Health and Disease

A number of beneficial health effects have been ascribed to oral creatine supplementation. Creatine may even improve memory and intelligence.

In this book, emphasis is placed on the intricate interplay between creatine and creatine kinase function on one hand and proper brain function, neurodegenerative disease and/or neuroprotection on the other. The book also elaborates on the recently identified inborn errors of creatine biosynthesis and transport, the so-called cerebral creatine deficiency syndromes and discusses the muscle growth- and strength-promoting effects, the pharmacokinetics and the safety of oral creatine supplementation.

The book outlines the emerging systems biology approaches for understanding the pleiotropic effects of creatine and creatine kinase, and hypothesizes on the most promising and influential future avenues of research.

A key reference summarizing the state-of-the-art in creatine and creatine kinase research An authoritative volume compiled by outstanding experts in the field A must-read for understanding the links between creatine metabolism and neuroprotection as well as neurodegenerative disease A book that aims to lay the foundation for a next boost in research on the pleiotropic functions of creatine and creatine kinase A text that sets the stage for "systems biology" of creatine and creatine kinase

Inhalt
Creatine: Cheap Ergogenic Supplement with Great Potential for Health and Disease.- Early Evolution of the Creatine Kinase Gene Family and the Capacity for Creatine Biosynthesis and Membrane Transport.- The Creatine Kinase Phosphotransfer Network: Thermodynamic and Kinetic Considerations, the Impact of the Mitochondrial Outer Membrane and Modelling Approaches.- Expression and Function of Agat, Gamt and CT1 in the Mammalian Brain.- A Novel Relationship Between Creatine Transport at the Blood-Brain and Blood-Retinal Barriers, Creatine Biosynthesis, And its Use for Brain and Retinal Energy Homeostasis.- Functional Insights into the Creatine Transporter.- In Vivo Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy of Transgenic Mice with Altered Expression of Guanidinoacetate Methyltransferase and Creatine Kinase Isoenzymes.- Cerebral Creatine Deficiency Syndromes: Clinical Aspects, Treatment and Pathophysiology.- Pre-Symptomatic Treatment of Creatine Biosynthesis Defects.- Clinical Use of Creatine in Neuromuscular and Neurometabolic Disorders.- The Neuroprotective Role of Creatine.- Ergogenic Effects of Creatine in Sports and Rehabilitation.- Pharmacokinetics of Creatine.- Safety of Creatine Supplementation.- Creatine its Chemical Synthesis, Chemistry, and Legal Status.- Creatine and Creatine Kinase in Health and Disease A Bright Future Ahead?.