This detailed book provides a laboratory manual and guidebook for the selection, implementation, and interpretation of a wide range of techniques in contemporary use in leading laboratories engaged in Huntington's disease (HD) research worldwide. Only by understanding the pathology and pathogenic process at the fundamental molecular and cellular level can the research community expect to be able to slow or halt the disease process, repair the damage, and develop novel effective therapies to treat the symptoms of this condition, thus this volume collects the practical knowledge of its authors. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, 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. Authoritative and invaluable, Huntington's Disease aims to help scientists to significantly extend the breadth and quality of research in laboratories dedicated to mastering and controlling this devastating human condition.

Now available in paperback.

Many neurological conditions are caused by damage to neurons and glial cells. For most of these diseases there are at present no effective treatments to minimise the extent of neuronal and glial loss, and no effective way of replacing what has been lost.

This picture is rapidly changing. Developments in basic neuroscience have produced various potential therapies that can protect neurons and glia followiing traumatic, anoxic, infectious and immunological damage. The old doctrine that axons cannot be made to regenerate, and dead neurons cannot be replaced is no longer tenable, and a wide variety of reconstructive techniques for the nervous system are under development. These and other basic science discoveries will progress into clinical practice, and lead to a revolution in neurology and neurosurgery. This book describes the various conditions that lead to damage to the nervous system, and the ways in which they may be ameliorated. It covers the burgeoning science of reconstruction of the nervous system, through neuronal, glial and stem cell transplantation, axon regeneration, remyelination, plasticity and pharmacological interventions. The clinical conditions to which these treatments will be applied and their assessment are described.

This is the first book to cover this enormous and expanding field of neuroscience and neurology. It will be useful to students and scientists working in the field of nervous system damage and reconstruction, and also to clinicians who wish to look forward to the developments which will shape the future of their practice.

This detailed book provides a laboratory manual and guidebook for the selection, implementation, and interpretation of a wide range of techniques in contemporary use in leading laboratories engaged in Huntington's disease (HD) research worldwide. Only by understanding the pathology and pathogenic process at the fundamental molecular and cellular level can the research community expect to be able to slow or halt the disease process, repair the damage, and develop novel effective therapies to treat the symptoms of this condition, thus this volume collects the practical knowledge of its authors. Written for the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology series, 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. Authoritative and invaluable, Huntington's Disease aims to help scientists to significantly extend the breadth and quality of research in laboratories dedicated to mastering and controlling this devastating human condition.