This issue of Neurologic Clinics features a review of the latest therapeutic developments in common and less common neurologic disorders and includes the following articles: Latest Data on Platelet Antiaggregants in Stroke Prevention; New Anticoagulants for Atrial Fibrillation Stroke Prevention; Unanswered Questions in Thrombolytic Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke; New Strategies for Endovascular Recanalization of Acute Ischemic Stroke; New Developments in the Treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage. What is in the horizon?; New Therapies for Unruptured Intracranial Aneurysms; New and Emergency Therapies for Arteriovenous Malformations; Advances and Controversies in the Management of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis in Adults; Epilepsy: Neurostimulation and New Drug Targets; Surgical Treatment of Parkinson's Disease; Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) in Non-Parkinsonian Movement Disorders and Emerging Technologies, Targets and Therapeutic Promises in DBS; Multiple Sclerosis. New and Emerging Therapies; Advances in the Medical Management of Myasthenia Gravis;? Update in the Treatment of Primary Brain Tumors; and Immunotherapy for Alzheimer's Disease.

This issue of Endocrinology Clinics brings the reader up to date on the important advances in research in endocrinology topics covered include reproducnd psychiatry. Guest edited by Eliza Geer, the topics covered include stress, sleep disorders, antipsychotic medications, eating disorders, insulin resistance, drug and alcohol addictions and more.

The peripheral nerves of the hand are absolutely essential to the basic senses of that area, and motor function. Conditions that can occur to the peripheral nerves of the hand include neuromas, nerve death, compression, and blunt traumatic injury. This issue will cover all of these topics, along with papers on general anatomy, healing techniques, and rehabilitation.

"Mathematical Neuroscience" is a book for mathematical biologists seeking to discover the complexities of brain dynamics in an integrative way. It is the first research monograph devoted exclusively to the theory and methods of nonlinear analysis of infinite systems based on functional analysis techniques arising in modern mathematics.

Neural models that describe the spatio-temporal evolution of coarse-grained variables such as synaptic or firing rate activity in populations of neurons and often take the form of integro-differential equations would not normally reflect an integrative approach. This book examines the solvability of infinite systems of reaction diffusion type equations in partially ordered abstract spaces. It considers various methods and techniques of nonlinear analysis, including comparison theorems, monotone iterative techniques, a truncation method, and topological fixed point methods. Infinite systems of such equations play a crucial role in the integrative aspects of neuroscience modeling.
The first focused introduction to the use of nonlinear analysis with an infinite dimensional approach to theoretical neuroscienceCombines functional analysis techniques with nonlinear dynamical systems applied to the study of the brainIntroduces powerful mathematical techniques to manage the dynamics and challenges of infinite systems of equations applied to neuroscience modeling"

The concepts behind diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) are commonly difficult to grasp, even for magnetic resonance physicists. To make matters worse, a many more complex higher-order methods have been proposed over the last few years to overcome the now well-known deficiencies of DTI. In "Introduction to Diffusion Tensor Imaging: And Higher Order Models, " these concepts are explained through extensive use of illustrations rather than equations to help readers gain a more intuitive understanding of the inner workings of these techniques. Emphasis is placed on the interpretation of DTI images and tractography results, the design of experiments, and the types of application studies that can be undertaken. Diffusion MRI is a very active field of research, and theories and techniques are constantly evolving. To make sense of this constantly shifting landscape, there is a need for a textbook that explains the concepts behind how these techniques work in a way that is easy and intuitive to understand-"Introduction to Diffusion Tensor Imaging" fills this gap.
Extensive use of illustrations to explain the concepts of diffusion tensor imaging and related methodsEasy to understand, even without a background in physicsIncludes sections on image interpretation, experimental design, and applicationsUp-to-date information on more recent higher-order models, which are increasingly being used for clinical applications

This issue focuses on MR Spectroscopy (MRS) for neuroimaging. Topics include MRS for Common Dementias, Epilepsy, Metabolic Disorders, Hypoxic-isquemic Injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, Brain Infections, Pediatric Brain Tumors, Adult Brain Neoplasms.

The Year Book of Neurology and Neurosurgery brings you abstracts of the articles that reported the year's breakthrough developments in neurology and neurosurgery, carefully selected from more than 500 journals worldwide. Expert commentaries evaluate the clinical importance of each article and discuss its application to your practice. There's no faster or easier way to stay informed Readers will find information on a range of topics, including Movement Disorders, Infectious Diseases of the Nervous System, Neoplastic Disease, Pediatric Neurology and Neurosurgery, Cerebrovascular, Neuro-oncology, and Spine. The Year Book of Neurology and Neurosurgery is published annually in June.

Disorders of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are the cause of prominent neurological symptoms including weakness, sensory loss, pain and autonomic dysfunction associated with deficits, morbidity and mortality. These disorders may be primary hereditary or cryptogenic neurologic disorders confined to the PNS or part of the pathology of both the central nervous system and the PNS. Most PNS disorders are secondary to other system disorders and may be responsive to treatment of the primary disease. Important advances have been obtained in several areas including molecular genetics, biochemistry, immunology, morphology and physiology that have enhanced our understanding of the causes and consequences of damage to peripheral nerve. Understanding of both these groups of PNS diseases has greatly expanded over recent years and has led to important advances of treatment both to protect and to repair damages of peripheral nerve. This volume provides an overview of the state-of-the-art of examination, diagnosis and treatment of these very diverse disorders and will be of interest to both the research and clinical neuroscience and neurology communities.

*Covers both hereditary and cryptogenic neurologic disorders

*Includes advances in the basic science of PNS from molecular genetics, biochemistry, immunology, morphology and physiology

*Detailed coverage of neuropathy in connective tissue disorders, infectious disorders, metabolic disorders and malignancy

This is the first book to assemble the leading researchers in the field of LRRK2 biology and neurology and provide a snapshot of the current state of knowledge, encompassing all major aspects of its function and dysfunction. The contributors are experts in cell biology and physiology, neurobiology, and medicinal chemistry, bringing a multidisciplinary perspective on the gene and its role in disease. The book covers the identification of LRRK2 as a major contributor to the pathogenesis of Parkinson's Disease. It also discusses the current state of the field after a decade of research, putative normal physiological roles of LRRK2, and the various pathways that have been identified in the search for the mechanism(s) of its induction of neurodegeneration.

Amantadine is used to treat the symptoms of Parkinson's disease (a disorder of the nervous system that causes difficulties with movement, muscle control, and balance) and other similar conditions. It is also used to control movement problems that are a side effect of certain medications used to treat Parkinson's disease (MedlinePlus). This book is a concise guide to the use of amantadine to treat Parkinson's disease. Divided into five sections, the text begins with an overview of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease, followed by coverage of its pathophysiology and diagnosis. The next chapters discuss the role of amantadine in the treatment of the disease, as well as its clinical efficacy and safety. The book concludes with advice on dosage, adverse effects, and its interaction with other drugs. Tables and figures further enhance the text. Key points Concise guide to the use of amantadine to treat Parkinson's disease In depth coverage of signs and symptoms of the disease, its pathophysiology and diagnosis Discusses clinical efficacy, safety, dosage, side effects, and interaction with other drugs Includes tables and figures to further enhance learning

Collectively, neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by chronic and progressive loss of neurons in discrete areas of the brain, producing debilitating symptoms such as dementia, loss of memory, loss of sensory or motor capability, decreased overall quality of life eventually leading to premature death. Two types of cell death are known to occur during neurodegeneration: (a) apoptosis and (b) necrosis. The necrosis is characterized by the passive cell swelling, intense mitochondrial damage with rapid loss of ATP, alterations in neural membrane permeability, high calcium influx, and disruption of ion homeostasis. This type of cell death leads to membrane lysis and release of intracellular components that induce inflammatory reactions. Necrotic cell death normally occurs at the core of injury site. In contrast, apoptosis is an active process in which caspases (a group of endoproteases with specificity for aspartate residues in protein) are stimulated. Apoptotic cell death is accompanied by cell shrinkage, dynamic membrane blebbing, chromatin condensation, DNA laddering, loss of phospholipids asymmetry, low ATP levels, and mild calcium overload. This type of cell death normally occurs in penumbral region at the ischemic injury site and in different regions in various neurodegenerative diseases.

It is only natural for someone in pain to attend to the body part that hurts. Yet this book tells the story of persistent pain having negative effects on brain function. The contributors, all leading experts in their respective fields of pain electrophysiology, brain imaging, and animal models of pain, strive to synthesize compelling and, in some ways, connected hypotheses with regard to pain-related changes in the brain. Together, they contribute their clinical, academic, and theoretical expertise in a comprehensive overview that attempts to define the broader philosophical context of pain (disentangling sensical from nonsensical claims), " "list the changes known to take place in the brains of individuals with chronic pain and animal models of pain, address the possible causes and mechanisms underlying these changes, and detail the techniques and analytical methods at our disposal to "visualize" and study these changes.
Philosophical and social concepts of pain; testimonials of chronic-pain patientsClinical data from pain patients brainsAdvances in noninvasive brain imaging for pain patientsCombining theoretical and empirical approaches to the analysis of pain-related brain functionManipulation of brain function in animal models Emerging neurotechnology principles for pain diagnostics and therapeutics"

"Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology, " a new volume in The Handbook of Clinical Neurology, provides a comprehensive and contemporary reference on parasitic infections of the human nervous system. Parasitic infections are varied and some are resolved by the host s immune system, other infections may become established even though unnoticed, and some cause severe disease and death. In our modern world, neuroparasitoses are no longer geographically isolated and these infections now appear worldwide. Outside of a very few well understood pathologies, most parasitic infections have been neglected in the neurological literature and most neurologists have never diagnosed such an infection. This volume details how, with the advent of modern neuroimaging techniques, improved diagnostic applications of molecular biology, more accurate immunodiagnosis, and minimally invasive neurosurgery, human nervous system parasitoses are now diagnosed and treated, with increasing frequency. The book is divided into six sections, and begins with an introduction to the mechanisms of infection, diagnosis, and pathology of parasitic diseases. Subsequent chapters detail protozoan diseases and a section covering each of the major classes of human-infecting helminths: nematodes (roundworms), trematodes (flukes), and cestodes (tapeworms). The final section contains chapters on other important areas of tropical clinical medicine including the neurological complications of venomous bites and tropical nutritional deficiencies. "Neuroparasitology and Tropical Neurology "will be of interest to neurologists, neurosurgeons and other health professionals encountering patients with parasitic infections.

*A comprehensive reference resource on the diagnosis and treatment of parasitic infections of the human nervous system

*Focuses on the impact of modern neuroimaging techniques, improved diagnostic applications of molecular biology, more accurate immunodiagnosis, and minimally invasive neurosurgery to diagnose parasitoses

*International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field."

The development of treatment strategies that can help patients with spinal cord injury to regain lost functions and an improved quality of life is a major medical challenge, and experimental spinal cord research has to meet these challenges by resolving fundamental problems, establishing a basis for possible novel treatment strategies of spinal cord injury, and motivating their clinical translation. In "Animal Models of Spinal Cord Repair," expert researchers examine a broad range of experimental models for research on spinal cord injury, how they have contributed to our current state of knowledge, and what their advantages are in the further advancement of spinal cord repair. With models from simple lamprey to non-human primates, the information presented is intended to guide the implementation of animal models for spinal cord repair as well as to raise the awareness of the relevance of experimental models which may not be in the current mainstream of this research. As a part of the "Neuromethods" series, this work contains the kind of detailed description and implementation advice to guarantee successful results in the laboratory.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, "Animal Models of Spinal Cord Repair" presents the background information and hands-on methods descriptions, as well as the basic and clinical issues, needed to stimulate and guide researchers with different backgrounds towards the development of improved strategies for functionally relevant repair of the injured human spinal cord."

This issue of Endocrinology Clinics brings the reader up to date on the important advances in research surrounding the role of aging on the endocrine system. Guest edited by Anne Cappola, the topics covered include reproductive aging in women, thyroid disorders, testosterone administration, osteoporosis in older adults, hormonal therapeutics and more.

If you or someone you love has had a stroke, you understand that after a stroke, a person has many questions: "What is a stroke, and why did I have one?" "How can I best recover from my stroke?" "How can I make sure this never happens to me again?" Every 45 seconds someone in this country has a stroke; this means that about five million stroke survivors in the United States are facing these questions and a host of emotional and physical and practical challenges. As medical specialists treating and caring for stroke survivors, Drs. Stein, Silver, and Frates understand these challenges; they wrote this book to help people recover as fully as possible after having a stroke and to explain all of the different things a person can do to prevent a stroke or a recurrent stroke. They explain what a stroke is, how it occurs, and what kinds of injuries it can cause--and they explain all about stroke recovery. They carefully focus on how stroke survivors can work with their doctor to lower their risk of a future stroke, including taking medications and altering their lifestyle. They look at stroke research that will provide better treatment options in the future, and they offer a relatively simple plan for taking control in preventing stroke or recurrent stroke. This book, then, is for anyone whose genetics, physiology, or lifestyle make them susceptible to stroke--in other words, every one of us. It will be especially helpful to people who have already had a stroke and who understand the importance of taking steps to avoid another one. From the Foreword, by Robert J. Wityk MD, Department of Neurology, The Johns Hopkins Hospital: "This book may help you navigate the sometimes confusing corridors of medicine to empower you to take control of your health or that of your loved one. Read it and learn, and then discuss it with your physician. Between your involved interest, what you discover here and your doctor's expertise, your or your loved one's recovery lies in very good hands, indeed."

A comprehensive collection of the most recent knowledge on the biological bases of various kinds of epilepsies and modern clinical approaches to their treatment. Epilepsy affects about 0.5-1% of the world's population (about 50,000,000 individuals) and the main goal of its treatment is to eliminate seizures without creating side effects. Despite numerous advances in the treatment of epilepsy and the approval of several new antiepileptic drugs, about 30% of patients continue to experience recurrent seizures which are medically, physically, and/or socially disabling. The editor of this volume hopes that by bridging the gap between the fundamental biology of epilepsy and its clinical implications he might spur further research and treatment options.

The child is neither an adult miniature nor an immature human being: at each age, it expresses specific abilities that optimize adaptation to its environment and development of new acquisitions. Diseases in children cover all specialties encountered in adulthood, and neurology involves a particularly large area, ranging from the brain to the striated muscle, the generation and functioning of which require half the genes of the whole genome and a majority of mitochondrial ones. Human being nervous system is sensitive to prenatal aggression, is particularly immature at birth and development may be affected by a whole range of age-dependent disorders distinct from those that occur in adults. Even diseases more often encountered in adulthood than childhood may have specific expression in the developing nervous system. The course of chronic neurological diseases beginning before adolescence remains distinct from that of adult pathology - not only from the cognitive but also motor perspective, right into adulthood, and a whole area is developing for adult neurologists to care for these children with persisting neurological diseases when they become adults.

Just as pediatric neurology evolved as an identified specialtyas the volume and complexity of data became too much for the general pediatician or the adult neurologist to master, the discipline has now continued to evolve into somany subspecialties, such as epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, stroke, malformations, neonatal neurology, metabolic diseases, etc., that the general pediatric neurologist no longer can reasonably possess in-depth expertise in all areas, particularly in dealing with complex cases. Subspecialty expertisethus is provided to some traineesthrough fellowship programmes following a general pediatric neurology residency and many of these fellowships include training in research.

Since the infectious context, the genetic background and medical practice vary throughout the world, this diversity needs to be represented in a pediatric neurology textbook. Taken together, and although brain malformations (H. Sarnat & P. Curatolo, 2007) and oncology (W. Grisold & R. Soffietti) are covered in detail in other volumes of the same series and therefore only briefly addressed here, these considerations justify the number of volumes, and the number of authors who contributed from all over the world. Experts in the different subspecialties also contributed to design the general framework and contents of the book. Special emphasis is given to the developmental aspect, and normal development is reminded whenever needed - brain, muscle and the immune system. The course of chronic diseases into adulthood and ethical issues specific to the developing nervous system are also addressed.
*A volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, which has an unparalleled reputation as the world's most comprehensive source of information in neurology.
*International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field.
*Describes the advances which have occurred in clinical neurology and the neurosciences, their impact on the understanding of neurological disorders and on patient care."

The child is neither an adult miniature nor an immature human being: at each age, it expresses specific abilities that optimize adaptation to its environment and development of new acquisitions. Diseases in children cover all specialties encountered in adulthood, and neurology involves a particularly large area, ranging from the brain to the striated muscle, the generation and functioning of which require half the genes of the whole genome and a majority of mitochondrial ones. Human being nervous system is sensitive to prenatal aggression, is particularly immature at birth and development may be affected by a whole range of age-dependent disorders distinct from those that occur in adults. Even diseases more often encountered in adulthood than childhood may have specific expression in the developing nervous system. The course of chronic neurological diseases beginning before adolescence remains distinct from that of adult pathology - not only from the cognitive but also motor perspective, right into adulthood, and a whole area is developing for adult neurologists to care for these children with persisting neurological diseases when they become adults.

Just as pediatric neurology evolved as an identified specialtyas the volume and complexity of data became too much for the general pediatician or the adult neurologist to master, the discipline has now continued to evolve into somany subspecialties, such as epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, stroke, malformations, neonatal neurology, metabolic diseases, etc., that the general pediatric neurologist no longer can reasonably possess in-depth expertise in all areas, particularly in dealing with complex cases. Subspecialty expertisethus is provided to some traineesthrough fellowship programmes following a general pediatric neurology residency and many of these fellowships include training in research.

Since the infectious context, the genetic background and medical practice vary throughout the world, this diversity needs to be represented in a pediatric neurology textbook. Taken together, and although brain malformations (H. Sarnat & P. Curatolo, 2007) and oncology (W. Grisold & R. Soffietti) are covered in detail in other volumes of the same series and therefore only briefly addressed here, these considerations justify the number of volumes, and the number of authors who contributed from all over the world. Experts in the different subspecialties also contributed to design the general framework and contents of the book. Special emphasis is given to the developmental aspect, and normal development is reminded whenever needed - brain, muscle and the immune system. The course of chronic diseases into adulthood and ethical issues specific to the developing nervous system are also addressed.
*A volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, which has an unparalleled reputation as the world's most comprehensive source of information in neurology.
*International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field.
*Describes the advances which have occurred in clinical neurology and the neurosciences, their impact on the understanding of neurological disorders and on patient care."

The child is neither an adult miniature nor an immature human being: at each age, it expresses specific abilities that optimize adaptation to its environment and development of new acquisitions. Diseases in children cover all specialties encountered in adulthood, and neurology involves a particularly large area, ranging from the brain to the striated muscle, the generation and functioning of which require half the genes of the whole genome and a majority of mitochondrial ones. Human being nervous system is sensitive to prenatal aggression, is particularly immature at birth and development may be affected by a whole range of age-dependent disorders distinct from those that occur in adults. Even diseases more often encountered in adulthood than childhood may have specific expression in the developing nervous system. The course of chronic neurological diseases beginning before adolescence remains distinct from that of adult pathology - not only from the cognitive but also motor perspective, right into adulthood, and a whole area is developing for adult neurologists to care for these children with persisting neurological diseases when they become adults.

Just as pediatric neurology evolved as an identified specialty as the volume and complexity of data became too much for the general pediatician or the adult neurologist to master, the discipline has now continued to evolve into somany subspecialties, such as epilepsy, neuromuscular disease, stroke, malformations, neonatal neurology, metabolic diseases, etc., that the general pediatric neurologist no longer can reasonably possess in-depth expertise in all areas, particularly in dealing with complex cases. Subspecialty expertise thus is provided to some trainees through fellowship programmes following a general pediatric neurology residency and many of these fellowships include training in research.

Since the infectious context, the genetic background and medical practice vary throughout the world, this diversity needs to be represented in a pediatric neurology textbook. Taken together, and although brain malformations (H. Sarnat & P. Curatolo, 2007) and oncology (W. Grisold & R. Soffietti) are covered in detail in other volumes of the same series and therefore only briefly addressed here, these considerations justify the number of volumes, and the number of authors who contributed from all over the world. Experts in the different subspecialties also contributed to design the general framework and contents of the book. Special emphasis is given to the developmental aspect, and normal development is reminded whenever needed - brain, muscle and the immune system. The course of chronic diseases into adulthood and ethical issues specific to the developing nervous system are also addressed.
*A volume in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology series, which has an unparalleled reputation as the world's most comprehensive source of information in neurology.
*International list of contributors including the leading workers in the field.
*Describes the advances which have occurred in clinical neurology and the neurosciences, their impact on the understanding of neurological disorders and on patient care."

Peripheral Neuropathy is a neurologic disorder characterized by damage to the peripheral nervous system, the part of the nervous system outside the central nervous system that connects it to all parts of the body. Over 100 forms of peripheral neuropathy have been identified. This issue of Neurologic Clinics features 12 articles about this disease that are of most interest to the clinician. Articles include: Diabetic Neuropathy; GBS and Variants; CIDP and Symmetrical Variants; Laboratory Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy; Treatment of Painful Peripheral Neuropathy;Cryptogenic Sensory Polyneuropathy; Vasculitic Neuropathy; Hereditary Neuropathy; Entrapment Neuropathy; Multifocal Motor Neuropathy and Multifocal Acquired Demyelinating Sensory and Motor Neuropathy; Nutritional Neuropathies.

This issue reviews the state of the art in pediatric demyelinating diseases. Articles cover topics on childhood transverse myelitis, neuromyelitis optica, multiple sclerosis, acute demyelinating encephalopathy, and more.

Imaging in Parkinson's Disease provides up-to-date information concerning new applications of brain imaging to the study of Parkinson's disease. Written by experts in the field, the book focuses on structural and functional imaging methodologies that have recently been applied to study the natural history of Parkinson's disease, with emphasis on the development of the major motor manifestations of the illness as well as cognitive impairment and dementia. Individual chapters address the role of imaging in differential diagnosis and in the evaluation of pharmacologic and surgical treatment effects. In-depth discussion of the use of imaging tools to study disease mechanisms is also provided, with emphasis on the roles of neuroinflammation, protein aggregation, and abnormal network organization in parkinsonism. Additionally, the text covers a number of relevant novel topics including recent advances in volumetric and functional MRI, echosonography, dopaminergic and cholinergic neurotransmitter imaging, and applications to experimental interventions such as gene therapy and transplantation. Covering a wide range of subjects and beautifully illustrated, Imaging in Parkinson's Disease is a valuable reference for neurologists, neurosurgeons and neuropsychologists, and a helpful resource for students engaged in postgraduate biomedical and clinical training.