Download PDF Molecular Biology of the Neuron (Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology) Second Edition by R. W. Davies

Sinopsis

The detailed study of neuronal function, in particular the function of neurons involved in complex processing and behavioural roles, requires several factors to be controlled, measured or exploited. Of relevance to the study of neuronal function are:

1. Drosophila: the short life cycle and simple culture conditions make it easy to control external environmental variables which are often more problematic in other species. In particular, the ‘sensory’ and ‘social’ interactions of the organism can easily be monitored and/or manipulated directly.
2. Behaviour: in order to unravel the neuronal pathways underlying behaviour, it is essential to study behaviours that can be assayed both qualitatively and quantitatively. There is a range of assays that have been developed over the years for both larval and adult stages of Drosophila. These include the use of visual, olfactory, tactile and auditory cues and assessment of responses with respect to reflex reactions as well as more complex learned behaviour.
3. Neurogenetics: Drosophila is one of the longest established genetic models with a formidable array of genetic and molecular tools that can be brought to bear upon any biological research area. This organism has given us valuable insights into the molecular, cellular and evolutionary bases of behaviour. In this chapter we will restrict our attention to those particularly relevant to neuroscience research in the organism.
4. Nervous system: the detailed neuronal architecture of the nervous system needs to be known in order for pathways involving multiple neurons to be investigated; i.e. neurons act as parts in circuits and context is critical. For Drosophila, traditional neuroanatomical techniques have produced gross maps of the nervous system through development and have also contributed valuable information about single neuronal projection patterns. The use of gene expression profiles (via enhancertraps) to unravel neuroanatomy was pioneered in Drosophila and recent techniques have refined such approaches to the extent that brain maps for Drosophila will soon be available to single neuron resolution.
5. Neurophysiology: sadly the small size of neurons in Drosophila makes traditional neurophysiology difficult. However, there have been advances recently with several emerging techniques that allow non-invasive recording of neuronal activity.
6. Neuroinformatics and high-throughput technologies, supporting informatics analysis toolkits and public database systems. Historically, Drosophila has had one of the most up-to-date and comprehensive databases describing the genetics of the organism (FlyBase: http://flybase.bio. indiana.edu) and this has been supplemented by a range of genome databases describing the sequences generated by the public and private genome sequencing projects and their annotation. In addition there are additional databases and resources of specific interest to Drosophila neuroscience that will be described towards the end of this chapter.

Drosophila melanogaster

Drosophila melanogaster (referred to here as Drosophila) is generally the first multicellular experimental organism that biologists are introduced to in their training. Unlike most other experimental systems in biology, their simple culture requirements are so simple and cost-effective that they can be maintained in high-school biology labs with ease. In a modern laboratory situation this makes getting started with Drosophila particularly easy, although as for any organism large-scale operations will require some dedicated equipment and support staff.
 

For the newcomer, there is a wealth of literature describing the culture requirements and the basic (and advanced) techniques possible. To begin with, we would recommend ‘Drosophila protocols’ (Sullivan et al. 2000), which is a laboratory manual (in format and weight). It describes in detail many of the common laboratory techniques including many of the recent molecular/transgenic manipulations used in Drosophila neuroscience, some of which we will describe in more detail here.

Content

1. Studying neuronal function using the Drosophila genetic system
2. Using mouse genetics to study neuronal development and function
3. Gene expression: from precursor to mature neuron
4. Protein trafficking in neurons
5. Ion channels and electrical activity
6. Molecular biology of transmitter release
7. Molecular biology of postsynaptic structures
8. Signal reception: Ligand-gated ion channel receptors
9. Signal reception: G protein-coupled receptors
10. Synapse-to-nucleus calcium signalling
11. Signalling by tyrosine phosphorylation in the nervous system
12. Mature neurons: Signal transduction-serine/ threonine kinases
13. The cytoskeleton
14. Neuronal Plasticity
15. Genetic basis of human neuronal diseases
16. Ageing and the death of neurones

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Download PDF Dissociation and the Dissociative Disorders, DSM-V and Beyond by Paul F Dell

Sinopsis

In this book, dissociation is introduced historically and conceptually (Part I); its origins in the early developmental phases of childhood are explored (Part II); its normal and exceptional expression is delineated (Part III); the circumstances of its acute manifestation are debated (Part IV); its manifestation, structure, and mechanisms, both acute (Part IV) and chronic (Part V) are discussed; and its neurobiology is explored (Part VI). The core DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders are fi nally dealt with in Part VII, followed by explorations of dissociation in other diagnostic groups, such as PTSD (Part VIII), Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Dependence (Part IX), and psychosis (Part X). The forensic assessment of dissociation is updated (Part XI). Cutting across all diagnostic categories, various treatment approaches to dissociation are outlined (Part XII). Part XIII concludes by moving from the latest empirical delineation of pathological dissociation to the most pressing outstanding research that remains to be done, and culminates in an extended historical, conceptual, and empirical analysis of dissociation.

Content

1. Dissociation: An Overview
2. Developmental Approaches to Dissociation
3. Normal and Exceptional Dissociation
4. Acute Dissociation
5. Chronic Dissociation
6. Neurobiology of Dissociation
7. The DSM-IV Dissociative Disorders
8. Dissociation in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder
9. Dissociation in Borderline Personality Disorder and Substance Dependence
10. Dissociation and Psychosis
11. Assessment and Measurement of Dissociation
12. Treatment of Dissociation
13. Toward a Clarifi ed Understanding of Dissociation

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Download PDF The Cambridge Handbook of Metaphor and Thought by Raymond W. Gibbs -

Sinopsis

The publications of the first and second editions of Metaphor and Thought (Cambridge University Press) in 1979 and 1993, respectively, under the editorship of Andrew Ortony, were monumental events in the world of metaphor research. The 1979 edition was the first interdisciplinary volume devoted to metaphor that included contributions from notable scholars in philosophy, linguistics, psychology, and political science. Many of the articles in that volume are now classics and continue to be frequently cited among active metaphor researchers. Several other articles from scholars in linguistics and psychology were added to the 1993 edition, which too has been widely read and discussed.

But much has changed in the world of metaphor since 1993. There is now a huge body of empirical work from many academic disciplines that clearly demonstrates the ubiquity in metaphor in both everyday and specialized language. Most importantly, there is also significant research indicating the prominence of metaphor in many areas of abstract thought and in people’s emotional and aesthetic experiences. Metaphor is not simply an ornamental aspect of language, but a fundamental scheme by which people conceptualize the world and their own activities. The primary purpose of the Cambridge Handbook of Metaphor and Thought is to describe some of the key developments in contemporary metaphor research that detail the contribution of metaphor to human cognition, communication, and culture.

Content

1. INTRODUCTION
2. THE ROOTS OF METAPHOR
3. METAPHOR UNDERSTANDING
4. METAPHOR I N LANGUAGE AND CULTURE
5. METAPHOR I N REASONING AND FEELING
6. METAPHOR I N NONVERBAL EXPRESSION

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Download Comprehensive Review in Clinical Neurology By Cheng-Ching, Esteban

Sinopsis

Anyone who studies neurology immediately recognizes not only its fascinating complexities but also the many different types of learning skills that one calls upon to understand it and commit it to memory. As medical students rotating in neurology, and later as neurology residents and fellows, it was clear to us that while there were great and grand neurology textbooks written by giants in the field, a study guide that offered clear explanations, simplifying complex concepts, and presenting information in an easily understandable format, while allowing for study of large amounts of information in a timely manner, was not available. As our board examinations neared, we were unable to identify a board review book that satisfied the minimum criteria for what we felt was the ideal study guide: comprehensive yet concise, case-based, with an abundance of images and diagrams, and perhaps most importantly, a question-and-answer (Q&A) multiple-choice type format. As chief residents organizing board review sessions for our neurology resident colleagues, we found this format to be the most effective and enjoyable way to learn neurology. With these criteria in mind, we envisioned and set out to write Comprehensive Review in Clinical Neurology.

In neurology perhaps more than any other specialty, clinical vignettes increase learning efficiency by illustrating examples and placing sometimes challenging neuroscience concepts into clinical practice. With this in mind, the majority of questions in this book are case-based. A multitude of radiographic and pathologic images are carefully selected to supplement information in the cases while also contributing to knowledge of these respective areas. The anatomic diagrams and other graphics provide visual aids to consolidate information presented in the discussions. The book is organized so that the reader can review chapters in their entirety or select individual questions from each chapter for review. Despite the Q&A format, topical review is possible with this book as well: the chapters are organized by topics, the index is comprehensive, and most importantly, reference is made in the discussion to different questions related to a specific concept. This book is strengthened by the renowned specialists who painstakingly reviewed the chapters and contributed valuable suggestions and images.

We feel that Comprehensive Review in Clinical Neurology will be useful to the whole spectrum of those learning neurology, from medical students and junior residents beginning their neurology education to senior neurology residents and fellows studying for the neurology board examination, and even to staff physicians reviewing for maintenance-of-certification examinations. Because neurology is a key component of all specialties related to neuroscience, psychiatrists, neurosurgeons, geriatricians, and psychologists will benefit from this book as well. We hope that readers of this book will enjoy it and learn from it.

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