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.

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 ReferencesInterdisciplinary 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