In this book, the four leading experts on the ACE inhibitors donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine and the NMDA receptor antagonist memantine explain the practical pharmacology of these symptomatic drugs with the aim of providing a sound basis for their clinical use in patients with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, an introductory chapter considers the basic theory of pharmacology for Alzheimer's disease and the book closes with an overview of the ways in which symptomatic drugs for dementia are used. The wide acceptance of the amyloid cascade hypothesis has led to vigorous development of disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease, such as amyloid vaccinations and gamma- or beta-secretase inhibitors. The failure of clinical trials of these drugs to yield satisfactory results has, however, meant that for the time being patients continue to be treated only with symptomatic drugs. There is accordingly a need to become more proficient in the use of symptomatic medicines, and it is against the background of this quest that Practical Pharmacology for Alzheimer's Disease will be of wide interest.

This book presents the wealth of scientific evidence that our personality emerges from evolved primary emotions shared by all mammals. Yes, your dog feels love-and many other things too. These subcortically generated emotions bias our actions, alter our perceptions, guide our learning, provide the basis for our thoughts and memories, and become regulated over the course of our lives. Understanding personality development from the perspective of mammals is a groundbreaking approach and one that sheds new light on the ways in which we as humans respond to life events, both good and bad. Jaak Panksepp, famous for discovering laughter in rats and for creating the field of affective neuroscience, died in April 2017. This book forms part of his lasting legacy and impact on a wide range of scientific and humanistic disciplines. It will be essential reading for anyone trying to understand how we act in the world and the world's impact on us.

Recent years have witnessed a resurgence of interest in the possible role of brain acetylcholine in neuropsychiatric disease. Research in this area has involved the renewed investigation of the cholinomimetics physostigmine and arecoline, and has been facilitated by the development of new potential cholinomimetics such as dimethylaminoethanol (Deanol) and choline chloride. Current investigators also have taken advantage of new approaches to neurochemical studies. Increasingly sensitive assay techniques such as gas chromatography/mass spectrometry have allowed investigators to measure low concentra tions of choline and acetylcholine in brain tissues. Improved neuroanatomical procedures such as immunohistochemical staining and the use of microelectrodes and micropipets have enabled skilled investigators to begin to map central acetylcholine pathways and to dissect the component parts of the complex interactions between brain acetylcholine and other neurotransmitters. The convergence of data from both clinical and basic studies now suggest that brain acetylcholine may be involved in affective illness, several movement disorders, and some cognitive disturbances. The purpose of this book is to summarize recent clinical and pre-clinical investigations on the possible role of brain acetylcholine in several neurological and psychiatric disorders. The volume is divided into six major sections: (1) Brain Acetylcholine and Psychiatric Disorders; (2) Brain Acetylcholine and Movement Disorders; (3) Brain Acetylcholine and Cognitive Function; (4) The Electrophysiology of Cholinergic Agents; (5) Interactions of Brain Acetylcholine and Other Neurotransmitters; (6) Biochemical and Pharmacological Aspects of CholinergiC Treatment Strategies."