Main description:

Pathophysiological states, neurological and psychiatric diseases are almost universally considered from the neurocentric point of view, with neurons being the principal cellular element of pathological process. The brain homeostasis, which lies at the fulcrum of healthy brain function, the compromise of which invariably results in dysfunction/disease, however, is entirely controlled by neuroglia. It is becoming clear that neuroglial cells are involved in various aspects of initiation, progression and resolution of neuropathology. In this book we aim to integrate the body of information that has accumulated in recent years revealing the active role of glia in such pathophysiological processes. Understanding roles of glial cells in pathology will provide new targets for medical intervention and aide the development of much needed therapeutics. This book will be particularly useful for researchers, students, physicians and psychotherapists working in the field of neurobiology, neurology and psychiatry.

Contents:

Ch. 1: General Pathophysiology of Neuroglia: Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders as Gliopathies

Alexei Verkhratsky, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Vladimir Parpura, M.D., Ph.D.

Ch. 2: Ionic Signaling in Physiology and Pathophysiology of Astroglia

Alexei Verkhratsky, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Vladimir Parpura, M.D., Ph.D

Ch. 3: Pathophysiology of Vesicle Dynamics in Astrocytes

Robert Zorec, Ph.D., Nina Vardjan, Ph.D., Maja Potokar, Ph.D. Matjaz, Stenovec, Ph.D., Jernej Jorgacevski, Ph.D., Sasa Trkov, Ph.D., Marko Kreft, Ph.D

Ch. 4: Glial Glutamate and Metabolic Transporters as a Target for Neurodegenerative Therapy and Biomarkers

Rita Sattler, Ph.D., Thomas Philips, Ph.D.

Ch. 5: Alexander Disease and Astrotherapeutics

Michael Brenner, Ph.D., Albee Messing, V.M.D., Ph.D.

Ch. 6: Role of Astrocytes in Central Nervous System Traum

Candace L. Floyd, Ph.D., Christopher R. Dorsett

Ch. 7: Astroglial and Neuronal Integrity During Cortical Spreading Depolarization

Sergei A. Kirov, Ph.D.

Ch. 8: Crucial role for astrocytes in epilepsy

Christian Steinhauser, Ph.D., Peter Bedner, Ph.D.

Ch. 9: Microglial Biology in Neuroinflammatory Disease: Pharmaco-industrial Approach to Target Validation

Thomas Moeller Ph.D., Paul Dylan Wes Ph.D. and Dario Doller Ph.D.
Ch. 10: The Role of Astrocytes in Huntington's Disease

Michelle Gray, M.D.

Ch. 11: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Glial Perspective

Daniela Rossi, M.D., Ph.D., Chiara F. Valori, Ph.D., Liliana Brambilla, Ph.D.,

Ch. 12: Complex and Associated Astroglial and Microglial Changes during the Progression of Alzheimers Disease

Alexei Verkhratsky, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Vladimir Parpura, M.D., Ph.D., Jose J. Rodriguez, Ph.D.

Ch. 13: Possible Therapeutic Targets in Microglia

Mami Noda, Ph.D.

Ch. 14: Novel Therapeutic Approaches to Malignant Gliomas

Harald W. Sontheimer, Ph.D., Vishnu Anand Cuddapah, Ph.D

Ch. 15: Hepatic encephalopathy: A Primary Neurogliopathy

Roger F Butterworth Ph.D., D.Sc., Sharon DeMorrow Ph.D.

Ch. 16: Astroglia and Severe Mental Illness: A Role for Glutamate Microdomains

Robert E. McCullumsmith, M.D., Ph.D., Dan Shan, M.D., Stefani Yates, Rosalinda C. Roberts, Ph.D.

Ch. 17: Emerging Roles for Glial Pathology in Addiction

Kathryn J. Reissner, Ph.D., Peter W. Kalivas, Ph.D.

Ch. 18: Astroglial Connexins as Elements of Sleep-wake Cycle Regulation and Dysfunction

Christian Giaume Ph.D, Xinhe Liu

Ch. 19: Experimental Treatment of Acquired and Inherited Neuropathies

Michael W. Sereda, Robert Fledrich, Ruth M. Stassart

Ch. 20: Satellite glial cells as target for chronic pain therapy

Menachem Hanani, Ph.D. David C. Spray, Ph.D.

Ch. 21: Enteric Glial Cells: Implications in Gut Pathology

Brian D. Gulbransen, Ph.D. Isola A.M. Brown, B.A.