Comprises the proceedings of a symposium held at the Ciba Foundation, London, February 1987. Addresses main issues and new techniques in the study of motor areas of the cerebral cortex in humans and animals. Reviews the historical development of the study of cortical structure and function, examines anatomical connections of motor areas, and surveys physiological studies of cortical areas in conscious primates. Also considers the effects of cortical lesions, and discusses clinical and experimental results on disorders of motor control.

Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and motor neuron disease share a significant common feature: selective death of neurons in restricted regions of the brain. This international symposium, held by the Ciba Foundation in 1986, is the first to bring together neurophysiologists working on neuronal death and neuropathologists dealing with human degenerative brain disease. Participants describe the causes and sequence of events leading to neuronal death and discuss what can be done to prevent it. Among the topics covered are recent advances in the understanding of agents such as trophic factors, excitotoxins and poisons that are known to be involved in neuronal death; examples of neuronal death during normal development; and the role played by endocrine mechanisms and neuronal activity. Also considers trophic factors controlling the survival of neuronal transplants and the therapeutic prospects for tissue transplantation.

Ciba Foundation Symposium 123 Antidepressants and Receptor Function Chairman: Dennis Murphy 1986 Depression is a common and often debilitating affective disorder. Attempts to develop effective antidepressants have a long history, but many questions remain about the mechanisms of action of such treatments and about the aetiology and pathophysiology of depression itself. Early observations centred attention on central monoamine systems, and animal studies suggested that changes in beta-adrenoceptor responsiveness were a common effect of antidepressant therapies. More recent research has encompassed many different central and peripheral receptors, time-dependent adaptational events at synapses, and the functional significance of changes in neurotransmitter systems in both humans and experimental animals. Such pharmacological studies aimed ultimately at elucidating the neurochemical basis of depression and of promoting new therapeutic approaches, provide the focus of this symposium volume. Many different methods of investigating the links between monoamine systems, depression and antidepressant treatments are described.
Recent studies of receptors and of monoamine uptake sites in the brain and the periphery (e.g. in platelets and fibroblasts) are reviewed, with emphasis on alpha and beta adrenoceptors, [3H]imipramine-binding sites and serotonin receptors. The results of monitoring amine metabolites in cerebrospinal fluid and of measuring neuroendocrine, physiological and behavioural responses to pharmacological challenge are presented, providing information on monoaminergic function in depressed patients and experimental animals before, during and after treatment with antidepressant drugs or electroconvulsive shock. Genetic influences on receptor density are also discussed, as is the relevance to human depressive illness of animal models, including stress-induced behavioural depression in rats and responses to social stressors in rhesus monkeys. This book should be of interest to neuropharmacologists, psychopharmacologists, clinical pharmacologists, behavioural scientists, psychiatrists and neuroscientists. Related Ciba Foundation Symposia: No 117 Photoperiodism, melatonin and the pineal Chairman: R. V. Short 1985 ISBN 0 471 91086 4 No 126 Selective Neuronal Death Chairman: H. M.
Wisniewski 1987 ISBN 0 471 91092 9


Composed of contributions from experts in the chemical and biological sciences, it explores host-guest molecular interactions leading to the formation of molecular assemblies containing two or more species. Exciting applications are emerging in this field and it is expected that improved understanding of the interactions in synthetic host molecule complexes will lead to a better understanding of the more complex biological systems. Topics include biomimetic chemistry, preorganization, self-assembly, template-directed synthesis, antibiotic binding to peptides and DNA, interactions between proteins and other molecules.

Experts from a variety of areas compare and discuss IL-6 and LIF in order to provide a new understanding of their modes of action, the significance of their polyfunctionalization--why the body chooses to use one molecule to regulate various cell types--and their functional overlap. Covers such topics as actions of IL-6 and LIF on lymphoid populations, on megakaryocyte and platelet production, on bone metabolism, their effects on leukemic cells and much more. Includes contributions from researchers working on a variety of cell types and organ systems along with potential clinical applications regarding these two factors.

Myopia, the most common disorder of the eye, affects 80% of the population of some countries. Although its basis remains uncertain, recent development of animal models have permitted tests of hypothesis as to myopia's origins. The symposium proceedings cover normal growth of the eye including the roles of peptide factors, metabolism and accomodation, investigation of the deficiencies that lead to myopia and other refractive disorders.

Written for psychologists, educational psychologists and developmental biologists, this volume explores the concept of giftedness, including its definition, origins and development. The author offers a balanced view of the topic and presents optimal educational strategies for various kinds of high ability. The effects of both environmental and biological/genetic factors on a student's level of giftedness are also discussed, as is the question of whether gifted people can be created.



Prestigious contributors summarize current knowledge regarding the biosynthesis of tetrapyrrole pigments--chlorophyll, haem, vitamin B12. Describes the structure and regulation of key enzymes along with various pathways, molecular genetic studies and structural characterization of the natural biosynthetic intermediates.

This up-to-the-minute account examines how radionuclides affect human health. It explores how radionuclides travel through various food chains and how they are transported throughout the terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Working on Corticotropin-Releasing Factor in a variety of systems, experts present a coherent depiction of this peptide's role in the control and coordination of the response to stress-inducing situations.

Discusses those aspects of environmental change which might have direct or indirect effects on human health. Includes discussions on water pollution, agricultural pollution, genetic disease and exotic tropical diseases as well as human nutrition and population growth.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.

The Novartis Foundation Series is a popular collection of the proceedings from Novartis Foundation Symposia, in which groups of leading scientists from a range of topics across biology, chemistry and medicine assembled to present papers and discuss results. The Novartis Foundation, originally known as the Ciba Foundation, is well known to scientists and clinicians around the world.