Poor clinical trial designs result in failed studies wasting research funds and limiting the advancement of cures for disorders. Clinical Trial Design Challenges in Mood Disorders outlines classic problems researchers face in designing clinical trials and discusses how best to address them for the most definitive and generalizable results. Traditional trial designs are included as well as novel analytic techniques. The book examines information on high placebo response, the generalizability of studies conducted in the developing world, the duration of maintenance studies, and the application of findings into clinical practice. With representation from contributors throughout the world and from academia, industry, regulatory agencies, and advocacy groups, this book will contribute toward improved clinical trial design and valid, precise, and reliable answers about what works better and faster for patients.

This new volume of Advances in Pharmacology presents the diversity and functions of GABA Receptors. The volume looks at research performed in the past 20 years which has revealed specific physiological and pharmacological functions of individual GABAA receptor subtypes, providing novel opportunities for drug development.

Allosteric Modulation of G Protein-Coupled Receptors reviews fundamental information on G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and allosteric modulation, presenting original research in the area and collectively providing a comprehensive description of key issues in GPCR allosteric modulation. The book provides background on core concepts of molecular pharmacology while also introducing the most important advances and studies in the area. It also discusses key methodologies. This is an essential book for researchers and advanced students engaged in pharmacology, toxicology and pharmaceutical sciences training and research. Many of the GPCR-targeted drugs released in the past decade have specifically worked via allosteric mechanisms. Unlike direct orthosteric-acting compounds that occupy a similar receptor site to that of endogenous ligands, allosteric modulators alter GPCR-dependent signaling at a site apart from the endogenous ligand. Recent methodological and analytical advances have greatly improved our ability to understand the signaling mechanisms of GPCRs. We now know that allostery is a common regulatory mechanism for all GPCRs and not - as we once believed - unique to a few receptor subfamilies.

This volume, Toxicology in Antiquity II, continues to tell the story of the roots of toxicology in ancient times. Readers learn that before scientific research methods were developed, toxicology thrived as a very practical discipline. Toxicologists are particularly proud of the rich and storied history of their field and there are few resources available that cover the discipline from a historical perspective. People living in ancient civilizations readily learned to distinguish safe from hazardous substances, how to avoid these hazardous substances and how to use them to inflict harm on enemies. Volume II explores the use of poison as weapons in war and assassinations, early instances of air pollution, the use of hallucinogens and entheogens, and the role of the snake in ancient toxicology.

The second edition of Forensic Toxicology: Principles and Concepts takes the reader back to the origins of forensic toxicology providing an overview of the largely unchanging principles of the discipline. The text focuses on the major tenets in forensic toxicology, including an introduction to the discipline, principles of forensic toxicology including pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, drug interactions and toxicogenomics, fundamentals of forensic toxicology analysis, types of interpretations based on analytical forensic toxicology results, and reporting from the laboratory to the courtroom. Also included in the second edition is a Unit focused on the forensic toxicology of individual drugs of abuse.

Anti-angiogenic Drugs as Chemosensitizers in Cancer Therapy, Volume 19 focuses on the use of anti-angiogenic drugs as sensitizers of tumor cells to the inhibitory activity of antitumor agents. Conventional and novel anti-neoplastic agents (cytotoxic molecules, hormones/antihormones, immunotherapies) are taken into consideration, along with advances made in combination therapies. The book encompasses examples of studies on the use of antiangiogenic compounds-molecules that inhibit the growth of vessels inside a tumor-together with antineoplastic drugs in order to sensitize the resistant tumor to their cytotoxic effects, thus reducing adverse side reactions and resistance and improving the therapeutic response of cancer patients. In addition, the book discusses clinical applications in various types of cancer, such as colorectal, lung, breast, renal, genitourinary, skin and brain and circulating tumors. It is a valuable resource for cancer researchers, clinicians and members of the biomedical field who wants to be up-to-date on the most recent and promising developments in the field.

The Pharmacological Potential of Cyanobacteria explores the bioactive compounds isolated from cyanobacteria and their relationship to human health and biotechnological applications. The book presents an overview of the chemistry and ecology of cyanobacteria, focusing on culture needs and techniques of biomass production. It is organized according to the different biological activities and biotechnological applications of compounds discovered in recent years. Besides biological activity, the mechanism of action of compounds is explained, along with molecular structure. Finally, compounds already used in therapeutics and biotechnology, as well as those in phases of approval or clinical trials are explored. Each chapter is written by a different research group with expertise in the field and publications in peer reviewed journals. Researchers and students in pharmaceutical academic research, pharmaceutical industrial sector personnel, health professionals, and nutritionists will find this book to be very useful.

"Toxicology in Antiquity" is the first in a series of short format works covering key accomplishments, scientists, and events in the broad field of toxicology, including environmental health and chemical safety. This first volume sets the tone for the series and starts at the very beginning, historically speaking, with a look at toxicology in ancient times. The book explains that before scientific research methods were developed, toxicology thrived as a very practical discipline. People living in ancient civilizations readily learned to distinguish safe substances from hazardous ones, how to avoid these hazardous substances, and how to use them to inflict harm on enemies.It also describes scholars who compiled compendia of toxic agents.
Provides the historical background for understanding modern toxicologyIllustrates the ways ancient civilizations learned to distinguish safe from hazardous substances, how to avoid the hazardous substances and how to use them against enemiesDetails scholars who compiled compendia of toxic agents"

Reliable, precise and accurate detection and analysis of biomarkers remains a significant challenge for clinical researchers. Methods for the detection of biomarkers are rather complex, requiring pre-treatment steps before analysis can take place. Moreover, comparing various biomarker assays and tracing research progress in this area systematically is a challenge for researchers. The Detection of Biomarkers presents developments in biomarker detection, including methods tools and strategies, biosensor design, materials, and applications. The book presents methods, materials and procedures that are simple, precise, sensitive, selective, fast and economical, and therefore highly practical for use in clinical research scenarios. This volume situates biomarker detection in its research context and sets out future prospects for the area. Its 20 chapters offer a comprehensive coverage of biomarkers, including progress on nanotechnology, biosensor types, synthesis, immobilization, and applications in various fields. The book also demonstrates, for students, how to synthesize and immobilize biosensors for biomarker assay. It offers researchers real alternative and innovative ways to think about the field of biomarker detection, increasing the reliability, precision and accuracy of biomarker detection.

Pharmacokinetics and Toxicokinetic Considerations explains the central principles, cutting-edge methodologies, and incipient thought processes applied to toxicology research. As part of the Advances in Pharmaceutical Product Development and Research series, the book provides expert literature on dose, dosage regimen and dose adjustment, medication errors, and approaches for its prevention, the concept of pharmacotherapy, and managed care in clinical interventions. It expounds on strategies to revamp the pharmacokinetics of the drug and the factors affecting the stability of drugs and their metabolites in biological matrices. Finally, the book offers focused elaborations on various bioanalytical methods for bioavailability and bioequivalence assessment and integrates the wide-ranging principles and concepts shared by toxicokinetics and pharmacodynamics as mutual crosstalk rather than isolated observations. It will be helpful to researchers and advanced students working in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, biotechnology, food, and related industries including toxicologists, pharmacists, and pharmacologists.