The Springer Handbook oj Auditory Research presents a series of com prehensive and synthetic reviews of the fundamental topics in modern auditory research. It is aimed at all individuals with interests in hearing research including advanced graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinical investigators. The volumes will introduce new investigators to important aspects of hearing science and will help established investigators to better understand the fundamental theories and data in fields of hearing that they may not normally follow closely. Each volume is intended to present a particular topic comprehensively, and each chapter will serve as a synthetic overview and guide to the literature. As such, the chapters present neither exhaustive data reviews nor original research that has not yet appeared in peer-reviewed journals. The series focuses on topics that have developed a solid data and conceptual foundation rather than on those for which a literature is only beginning to develop. New research areas will be covered on a timely basis in the series as they begin to mature. Each volume in the series consists of five to eight substantial chapters on a particular topic. In some cases, the topics will be ones of traditional interest for which there is a solid body of data and theory, such as auditory neuroanatomy (Vol. 1) and neurophysiology (Vol. 2). Other volumes in the series will deal with topics which have begun to mature more recently, such as development, plasticity, and computational models of neural processing."

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) awarded us a grant to conduct an Advanced Study Institute (ASI) on Neuropsychology and Cognition. The ASI was conducted at Augusta, Georgia, USA, from September 8-18, 1980. Two volumes resulted from this Institute. Volume one consists of chapters from Corballis, Dimond, Spreen, Bakker, Pirozzolo, Aaron, Whitaker and Zangwill. Corballis discusses the evolution of laterality and Dimond presents specialization of hemispheric functions. Neuropsychological assess ment is the theme of Spreen's chapter and neuropsychological aspects of dyslexia is examined by Bakker, Pirozzolo, and Aaron. Whitaker analyzes a rare form of language impairment. The volume closes with a critical review of cerebral dominance by Zangwill. Volume two deals with such topics as hemispheric specialization neuropsychological assessment, neuropsychological aspects of cogni tion, language, and reading, and research implications in neuro psychology. These two volumes will be useful to practicing clinicians, educationists, psychologists, linguists, speech pathologists and audiologists. We sincerely thank NATO Scientific Affairs Division for their financial and moral support. The Institute was successful because of the generous help from the Oregon State University, Medical College of Georgia, and the Augusta Hilton. The Institute would not have been possible without the understanding and contribution of lecturers and participants."

Parkinson's disease, a degenerative brain disorder, affects an estimated 0.25-0.50% of the population. Symptoms result from neuronal degeneration in the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and include tremor, rigidity and gradual slow- ness of spontaneous movement. The cause of Parkinson's disease is only partially understood; both environmental factors and a genetic predisposition have been im- plicated in its etiopathogenesis. Neural transplantation is being used experimentally for providing an alternative biological source of dopamine both in animal studies and in experimental clinical trials. This book is the result of 15 years of research on the transplantation of dopaminergic neurons in the striatum of the weaver mouse, a neurological mutant characterized by genetically-determined degeneration of midbrain dopamine neurons. The weaver mouse constitutes the only available laboratory model with a chronic progressive disease that mimics Parkinsonism. The other two models currently used to investigate dopaminergic mechanisms rely on the use of the neurotoxins- hydroxydopamine and methylphenyltetrahydropyridine for the selective removal of dopaminergic neurons from an otherwise healthy organism. Structural and functional aspects of transplantation of mesencephalic dopamin- ergic grafts into the striatum of weaver mice are reviewed, including histochemical correlates of graft survival and integration, numerical aspects of donor neuron survival, ultrastructural findings on synaptogenesis, neurochemical indices of dopam- ine uptake function and receptor binding, gene expression of several structural and neurotransmitter-receptor related molecules, the levels of striatal amino acid receptors, and the behavioral effects of unilateral and bilateral neuronal transplantations.

The studies by Santiago Ram6n y Cajal on astrocytes, and the extense work developed by Pio del Rio Hortega dealing with microglia and oligodendrocytes are with no doubt two important milestones of neurobiology, and specially cf glial research. Since these classical studies, the curiosity for understanding glial cells has continuously grown. During the last two decades, the development of new meth- ods of study, including cell culture techniques and the use of histochemical and immunocytochemical markers, has allowed a remarkable advance in this field. This increasing interest is reflected by the creation of local and international glial networks, the publication of the journal Glia, the celebration of periodic interna- tional meetings and the publication of extensive books focused on glial cells. In February 1997, with the establishment of the Spanish Glial Network, arose the early idea of publishing a compendium of selected work by Spanish glial research teams, which has fmally materialised in Understanding Glial Cel/s, a book whose objective is to present topics of current interest in glial cell biology.

NEUROTOX '91 was the fourth meeting in a series which started in 1979. The '91 meeting, like its predecessors, was held under the patronage of the Society of Chemical Industry, and despite the unfortunate proximity of hostilities in the Arabian Gulf attracted a truly international mix of industrial and academic pesticide scientists. This volume contains the text of invited papers read at the meeting and presents the dramatic developments which so excited those who attended. The potential of molecular neurobiology for gaining knowledge of target sites for neurotoxicants is now starting to be realised. These studies, in conjunction with developments in molecular imaging and modelling, provide new oppor tunities for chemists and biologists to gain insights into molecular interactions underlying intoxication. Molecular techniques have also enabled rapid ad vances on a second front, where the cloning of genes controlling pesticide resistance should have a profound impact on our understanding of this commercially important problem. The understanding of molecular events will undoubtedly be vital in future developments in chemical control of pests; however, the value of understand ing the way in which the nervous system controls behaviour and how behaviour can be modified by chemicals of bath synthetic and natural origins was highlighted. Natural products and their synthetic analogues have continued to provide new and interesting molecules which are already proving their worth as tools for the neuroscientist and may offer leads for commercial synthesis.

Providing a selection of the key techniques that are used in characterizing cerebral angiogenesis, Cerebral Angiogenesis: Methods and Protocols aims to define the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this important process. Divided into six parts, this detailed volume examines cerebral angiogenesis occurring in different scenarios, a variety of different models in which cerebral angiogenesis can be studied, methods to characterize and quantify angiogenic events as well as several different approaches to measure changes in cerebral blood flow, different approaches to investigate the role of specific candidate genes in cerebral angiogenesis, methods of therapeutically manipulating cerebral angiogenesis by gene delivery, and finally important approaches to examine cerebral angiogenic mechanisms in vitro. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their specific topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and decidedly practical, Cerebral Angiogenesis: Methods and Protocols should be a vital resource for all researchers, both those new to this field as well as those looking to use more specialized and sophisticated techniques to examine blood vessel growth in the brain.

This is the second volume of a two volume work on biosocial approaches to social stratification and human inequality. The volume considers linkages between gender and stratification; between neurohormonal variables and status; and between health, reproduction, and social status. The contributors explore topics that environmentalists shun, and discuss how the effect of biological variables on social stratification may have evolutionary consequences.

The Senses: A Comprehensive Reference, Second Edition, Seven Volume Set is a comprehensive reference work covering the range of topics that constitute current knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying the different senses. This important work provides the most up-to-date, cutting-edge, comprehensive reference combining volumes on all major sensory modalities in one set. Offering 264 chapters from a distinguished team of international experts, The Senses lays out current knowledge on the anatomy, physiology, and molecular biology of sensory organs, in a collection of comprehensive chapters spanning 4 volumes. Topics covered include the perception, psychophysics, and higher order processing of sensory information, as well as disorders and new diagnostic and treatment methods. Written for a wide audience, this reference work provides students, scholars, medical doctors, as well as anyone interested in neuroscience, a comprehensive overview of the knowledge accumulated on the function of sense organs, sensory systems, and how the brain processes sensory input. As with the first edition, contributions from leading scholars from around the world will ensure The Senses offers a truly international portrait of sensory physiology. The set is the definitive reference on sensory neuroscience and provides the ultimate entry point into the review and original literature in Sensory Neuroscience enabling students and scientists to delve into the subject and deepen their knowledge.

Neuromedia is an innovative examination of shared territories in neurobiological anatomy, physiology and media art. It reveals how scientists investigate perception and behaviour at the molecular, cellular and systems level. It demonstrates how interpretative forms of media art can help to demystify these complexities for diverse audiences. Under the reflective headings of inspiration, construction, challenges and reactions, it offers deep insights into the processes of art and science production. Assisted by essays from a museum director and an art historian, Neuromedia provides the background for readers about an exhibition of the same name at KULTURAMA in Zurich (2012), and suggests an alternative approach to scientific communication. Authors: Robert Atkins, Oliver Biehlmaier, Mitchel Paul Levesque, Stephan Neuhauss, Rolf Pfeifer, Claudia Rutsche, Jill Scott and Esther Stoeckli

I would like first to thank Charles Woody and his organizing committee for arranging the symposium on the "Cellular Mechanisms of Conditioning and Behavioral Plasticity," which was also a satellite meeting of the International Union of Physiological Sciences 30th International Congress. The proceedings of this symposium are represented by the chapters that follow. During the 1970s, Dr. Woody and co-workers were able to carry out a remarkable series of microelectrode studies, both intracellular and extracellular, of cortical nerve cells during conditioning of the eye-blink response to sound in the intact waking cat. He demonstrated enduring changes in excitability and membrane resistance in pericruciate cortical cells during associative conditioning of the eye blink, changes that are facilitated by ACh and cGMP and reinforced by stimulation of the hypothalamus (the latter con firming the original studies of Voronin). These findings have been of considerable im portance in our attempt to understand the conditioning process at the cellular level."

Induced pluripotent stem cells in cardiovascular research.- TRPs in the brain.-The channel physiology of the skin."

"Brain-inspired information technology" is one of key concepts for the development of information technology in the next generation. Explosive progress of computer technology has been continuing based on a simple principle called "if-then rule." This means that the programmer of software have to direct every action of the computer programs in response to various inputs. There inherently is a limitation of complexity because we human have a limited capacity for managing complex systems. Actually, many bugs, mistakes of programming, exist in computer software, and it is quite difficult to extinguish them. The parts of computer programs where computer viruses attack are also a kind of programming mistakes, called security hole. Of course, human body or nervous system is not perfect. No creator or director, however, exists for us. The function of our brain is equipped by learning, self-organization, natural selection, and etc, resulting in adaptive and flexible information system. Brain-inspired information technology is aiming to realize such nature-made information processing system by using present computer system or specific hardware. To do so, researchers in various research fields are getting together to inspire each other and challenge cooperatively for the same goal.

Exposure to loud noise continues to be the largest cause of hearing loss in the adult population. The problem of NIHL impacts a number of disciplines. US standards for permissible noise exposure were originally published in 1968 and remain largely unchanged today. Indeed, permissible noise exposure for US personnel is significantly greater than that allowed in numerous other countries, including for example, Canada, China, Brazil, Mexico, and the European Union. However, there have been a number of discoveries and advances that have increased our understanding of the mechanisms of NIHL. These advances have the potential to impact how NIHL can be prevented and how our noise standards can be made more appropriate.

Shakespeare and Cognition examines the essential relationship between vision, knowledge, and memory in Renaissance models of cognition as seen in Shakespeare's plays. Drawing on both Aristotle's Metaphysics and contemporary cognitive literary theory, Arthur F. Kinney explores five key objects/images in Shakespeare's plays a " crowns, bells, rings, graves and ghosts a " that are not actually seen (or, in the case of the latter, not meant to be seen), but are central to the imagination of both the playwright and the playgoers.

Building on work in feminist studies, queer studies and critical race theory, this volume challenges the universality of propositions about human nature, by questioning the boundaries between predominant neurotypes and 'others', including dyslexics, autistics and ADHDers. This is the first work of its kind to bring cutting-edge research across disciplines to the concept of neurodiversity. It offers in-depth explorations of the themes of cure/prevention/eugenics; neurodivergent wellbeing; cross-neurotype communication; neurodiversity at work; and challenging brain-bound cognition. It analyses the role of neuro-normativity in theorising agency, and a proposal for a new alliance between the Hearing Voices Movement and neurodiversity. In doing so, we contribute to a cultural imperative to redefine what it means to be human. To this end, we propose a new field of enquiry that finds ways to support the inclusion of neurodivergent perspectives in knowledge production, and which questions the theoretical and mythological assumptions that produce the idea of the neurotypical. Working at the crossroads between sociology, critical psychology, medical humanities, critical disability studies, and critical autism studies, and sharing theoretical ground with critical race studies and critical queer studies, the proposed new field - neurodiversity studies - will be of interest to people working in all these areas.

This carefully designed, multi-authored textbook covers a broad range of theoretical issues in cognitive science, psychology, and neuroscience. With accessible language, a uniform structure, and many pedagogical features, Mind, Cognition, and Neuroscience: A Philosophical Introdution is the best high-level overview of this area for an interdisciplinary readership of students. Written specifically for this volume by experts in their fields who are also experienced teachers, the book's thirty chapters are organized into the following parts: I. Background Knowledge II. Classical Debates III. Consciousness IV. Crossing Boundaries Each chapter starts with relevant key words and definitions and a chapter overview, then presents historical coverage of the topic, explains and analyzes contemporary debates, and ends with a sketch of cutting edge research. A list of suggested readings and helpful discussion topics conclude each chapter. This uniform, student-friendly design makes it possible to teach a cohort of both philosophy and interdisciplinary students without assuming prior understanding of philosophical concepts, cognitive science, or neuroscience. Key Features: Synthesizes the now decades-long explosion of scientifically informed philosophical research in the study of mind. Expands on the offerings of other textbooks by including chapters on language, concepts and non-conceptual content, and animal cognition. Offers the same structure in each chapter, moving the reader through an overview, historical coverage, contemporary debates, and finally cutting-edge research. Packed with pedagogical features, like defined Key Terms, Suggested Readings, and Discussion Questions for each chapter, as well as a General Glossary. Provides readers with clear, chapter-long introductions to Cognitive Neuroscience, Molecular and Cellular Cognition, Experimental Methods in Cognitive Neuroscience, Philosophy of Mind, Philosophy of Science, Metaphysical Issues, and Epistemic Issues.

Modern medicine enables us to keep many people alive after they have suffered severe brain damage and show no reliable outward signs of consciousness. Many such patients are misdiagnosed as being in a permanent vegetative state when they are actually in a minimally conscious state. This mistake has far-reaching implications for treatment and prognosis. To alleviate this problem, neuroscientists have recently developed new brain-scanning methods for detecting consciousness in some of these patients and even for asking them questions, including "Do you want to stay alive?" These new technological abilities raise many questions about what exactly these methods reveal (Is it really consciousness?), how reliable they are (Do they fail to detect consciousness in some patients who are conscious?), what are these patients' lives like (Do they feel pain?), what we should do for and to these patients (Should we let them die?), who should decide (Are these patients competent to decide for themselves?), and which policies should governments and hospitals enact (Which kinds of treatment should be made available?). All of these questions and more are addressed in this collection of original papers. The prominent contributors provide background information, survey the issues and positions, and take controversial stands from a wide variety of perspectives, including neuroscience and neurology, law and policy, and philosophy and ethics. This collection should interest not only academics but anyone who might suffer brain damage, which includes us all.

The main purpose of this volume is to provide a focused analysis of the function of the G protein-coupled signaling pathways that operate in the interconnected network of retinal neurons as they detect and encode the information carried by light. The organization of this volume will generally follow the path of signal flow in the retina. First we will describe recent advances in understanding the phototransduction cascade of rod and cone photoreceptors, which use signaling cascade based on the GPCR rhodopsin to transduce incident light into neural activity. Chapters will be devoted to unique specializations of the two major types of photosensitive cells that comprise the predominant input for our spatial and color vision. Subsequently, the mechanisms of synaptic information encoding by retinal ON bipolar cells will be described, where the GPCR mGluR6 plays a fundamental role. Chapters in this section will examine macromolecular organization of the mGluR6 signaling pathway as well as current understanding of its function. The functional characteristics of this signaling mechanism will be explored in detail. Additionally, this section will cover the role of dopamine receptors in modulating signal transmission between photoreceptors and ON-bipolar cells. Finally, chapters will be focused on the output neurons of the inner retina, ganglion cells, where the components of the emerging GPCR melanopsin cascade in intrinsically photosensitive ganglion cells will be detailed. Collectively these mechanisms allow the retina to represent visual space over a wide range of light intensities.

This volume presents a review of recent developments in nitrogen fixation using transition metal-dinitrogen complexes in the last decade. The authors are international experts in the corresponding field and each chapter discusses their latest achievements in the preparation of various transition metal-dinitrogen complexes and their reactivity. This volume will be helpful to researchers, teachers, and students who are interested in innovative and sustainable chemistry.

Research in the field of histamine receptors over the past 100 years went hand-in-hand with the development of modern pharmacology. Advances in histamine research led by outstanding scientists was so incisive that the clinical approach to treat allergies and gastrointestinal ailments was revolutionized. The pharmacological treatment of peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux was indeed a revolution, as it ended the surgical intervention. Interest in histamine pharmacology was resurrected by the discovery of another histamine receptor, number 4, using genomics-based reverse pharmacological approaches for screening orphan GPCRs. This receptor is preferentially expressed by immune cells and its discovery raised hopes for its translational exploitation as a new therapeutic target for unmet medical needs ranging from asthma to cancer. However, several drawbacks emerged and dramatically slowed down research in the field. A better understanding of receptor intra-and interspecies heterogeneity will certainly improve and accelerate the translation of experimental data into clinical practice. Also, the plethora of data on brain histamine is hinting at a fundamental role of this system as a hub that receives internal and peripheral stimuli to allocate the necessary excitation to specific brain circuits that preside the appropriate behavioral responses. The development of new histaminergic ligands is an ongoing process that constantly provide new preclinical tools. The aim of this book is to cover the most important aspects of histamine receptor function and pharmacology in the central nervous system and to provide a comprehensive overview of the preclinical and clinical advances made in recent decades and the exciting prospects for the future. It highlights the clinical areas where there is a great need for new therapeutic approaches and where novel histaminergic agents may be useful for personalized medicine.

Key discoveries concerning the different biological functions of microglia in health and disease have attracted scientists from various fields. In Microglia: Methods and Protocols, expert researchers in the field detail methods for selection of the key cellular, molecular and biochemical techniques that are used in studying the many and varied functions of this fascinating cell. These methods and techniques include microglia cell culture for studying microglia activation and functions, as well as their interaction with other cell types both in vitro and in vivo. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and key tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and practical, Microglia: Methods and Protocols is a useful resource for cell biologists, molecular biologists, immunologists, oncologist and neuroscientists.

This volume discusses experimental brain injury models that contain valuable information carefully chosen to widen the researchers' horizon about neurotrauma. Injury Models of Central Nervous System: Methods and Protocols contains relevant experimental design approaches that have been adapted and made ready for application in laboratory settings. For easier navigation, the chapters are categorized into 6 parts: Introduction, General Consideration in Using Animal Laboratory in CNS Injury Research, Classical TBI Models and Their Link with Pathophysiological Features of CBS Injury - Models, Special Topics in CNS Trauma: Comorbid Conditions in CNS Injury, Outcome Measures in Brain Injury Models, and Future Directions. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Practical and thorough, Injury Models of Central Nervous Systems: Methods and Protocols, is a very useful reference towards the progress of this discipline.

Music and the Aging Brain describes brain functioning in aging and addresses the power of music to protect the brain from loss of function and how to cope with the ravages of brain diseases that accompany aging. By studying the power of music in aging through the lens of neuroscience, behavioral, and clinical science, the book explains brain organization and function. Written for those researching the brain and aging, the book provides solid examples of research fundamentals, including rigorous standards for sample selection, control groups, description of intervention activities, measures of health outcomes, statistical methods, and logically stated conclusions.

One of the most active and productive areas of biological science in the past decade has been the study of the biochemical and biophysical prop erties of cell membranes. There is little doubt that membranes are essen tial components of all cellular systems and that each type of membrane manifests specific and characteristic cellular functions. In the nervous system, important events such as neurotransmission, receptor binding, ion transport, axonal transport, and cell uptake are all known to take place within the neural cell membrane. Phospholipids, one of the major components of membranes, not only provide the membrane with its structural integrity and physical proper ties, but also play an important role in regulating membrane function. Attention has recently been focused on the asymmetric localization of these molecules, the identification of discrete metabolic pools of phospholipids within the membrane matrix, and their involvement in sig nal transmission. Although synaptic membranes generally lack an active mechanism for the de novo biosynthesis of phospholipids, a number of enzymic routes are present for their interconversions and for facilitating metabolic turnover. Metabolites generated during the interconversion reactions may also exert a great influence in modulating membrane func tions. The phosphogylcerides of neural membranes are especially enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids. However, only very small amounts of these fatty acids are present in the free form, and they are maintained in dynamic equilibrium with the membrane phospholipids."

The first comprehensive overview of the effects of hypertension on the brain. The book discusses not only the relationship between hypertension and stroke, but also the much less studied relationship between hypertension and cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. It seeks to answer two important questions. First, what are the conditions under which hypertension is associated with stroke, cognitive decline, and neurodegenerative disease? And second, what are the biological mechanisms by which hypertension alters brain homeostasis? By looking at the biological mechanisms of these relationships, this book provides insight to neuroscientists and neurologists regarding why anti-hypertension treatments make a big difference in the case of stroke, but have very little impact on cognitive decline and brain aging.