This comprehensive volume is a contribution to a new se ries initiated by the NATO Panel on "Gell to Gell Signals in Plants and Animals." The book reflects the outcome of an NATO work shop and bri ngs to mi nd two im portant questions: consideri ng the mass of relevant I iteratu reavai- able, is there any necessity for a new series of books - and considering the flood of compa rable meetings - is there any point in workshops of this nature and their publication? In order to deal with such questions adequately, much more space would be needed than is available in a foreword. Thus, the answers must remain rather superficial and, of course, rather subjective. To simplify the issue, the question of publication can be narrowed down to two fac tors - the financial risk, undertaken by the publisher, and the scientific risk, borne by the editor. If the book is good (with respect to lay-out and content) it will be a success - nothing will be lost the people involved will enhance their reputation We are left with the question of the usefulness of workshops. Without doubt, it is indeed a useful procedure for experts to come together, in an atmosphere of harmony, and freedom from external pressures and time limitations, to discuss a well-defined theme. Wether in agreement or disagreement, a fair and open forum can be expectet for a variety of contributions."

An excellent survey of the most recent advances in the area of cellular and molecular biology of glial cells and their involvement in remyelination and functional repair in the CNS. A major part of this book deals with signaling paths within and among neural cells. Glial cells (astrocytes, oligodentrocytes, microglial cells) themselves release substantial amounts of cytokines, growth factors and other signaling molecules, which play an important role during injury and regeneration. Another signaling route between neurons and glial cells follows ion channels and neurotransmitter receptors. In addition to animal models, human oligodentrocytes in cell culture and in the human MS brain are characterized with respect to their immunocytochemistry and function.

Experts in the field of cellular and molecular biology of myelination present their latest results. Various techniques were used such as tissue culture, transplantation, transfection, immunocytochemistry and approaches to study the phylogenetic aspects of myelination as well as molec- ular biology. Concerning glial cells: hormones and second messengers play an important role in the regulation of the phenotype and the expression of myelin components at the transcriptional level; these findings are also part of particular relevance for remyelination. Concerning myelin: compositional studies revealed an increasing number of minor components to be of crucial importance for cellular adhesion processes; from a phylogenetic point of view vertebrate myelin has existed for 400 million years with important alterations in its compositon. This book offers a superb collection of the latest results presented by internationally reknowned scientists.