Neurotoxicity of Drugs of Abuse, Volume Eight provides carefully crafted reviews on the disruptive impact of drugs of abuse on the central nervous system. The neurotoxicity potential of several agents including marijuana, fentanyl, and ketamine are carefully reviewed, and their short-term and chronic effects are categorized. Pharmacokinetic profiles as well as mechanisms of action for these and other drugs of abuse such as alcohol and nicotine are also evaluated. The implications of short and long-term abuse for agents such as PCP are also characterized. The reader will come away with a fuller understanding of the adverse effects of drugs of abuse on the nervous system.

Occupational Neurotoxicology, Volume Seven covers neurotoxicants and exposures to a variety of hazards in the workplace and how they can affect nervous functions in different ways. Metals and organic compounds, both at high level acute exposure and long-term low-level exposure can affect motor functions, cognition, behavior and neurosensory functions. Sections cover Oil leakage in aircraft, aerotoxic syndrome, Organic solvents, WTC neurotoxicities, Environmental intolerance, Pesticides, Carbon monoxide, Mercury Neurotoxicity in Gold Miners, and the Current evolution of neurobehavioral methods.

The volume discusses novel issues associated with the neurotoxicity of select metals

Assembles international authorities to address contemporary research in metal neurotoxicity. Essential and non-essential metals play an important role in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Recent developments in understanding the role of metals in the etiology of these disorders have led to rapid growth in clarifying the pathology of some of the most devastating diseases we face and in identifying potential new therapies. Few books or periodicals have been wholly dedicated to the topic of metals, and this collection is intended to serve as a resource for all researchers interested in metals and their role in health and disease.

In recent years, the need to develop acceptable alternatives to conventional animal testing for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity has been increasingly recognized, and much effort is being directed toward the development of alternative models, utilizing mostly mammalian cells in culture but also non-mammalian model systems. "In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Methods and Protocols" presents a series of cellular, biochemical, and molecular methodological protocols in the area of in vitro neurotoxicology, with an emphasis on mammalian cell culture systems. Opening with a section on methodologies for preparing several cellular systems of variable complexity, amenable for in vitro neurotoxicological studies, the thorough volume continues with coverage of methods to measure cellular death and major mechanisms, methods for assessing mechanisms of nervous system cell toxicity related to impairment of cell signaling, while a final section illustrates additional methods for assessing important nervous system processes such as cell proliferation, neuritogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Written in the highly successful "Methods in Molecular Biology " series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.

Comprehensive and cutting-edge, "In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Methods and Protocols" serves researchers with an interest in assessing or characterizing the potential neurotoxicity of environmental contaminants, drugs, or other chemicals."

Marine Neurotoxins, Volume Five provides comprehensive information on marine toxins present in the human food chain and the affecting targets relevant for the functioning of the brain and our nervous system, covering all the information available on their action on the physiology of neurons and glial cells, both "in vivo" or "in vitro." New sections in this release include Guanidinium Toxins: Evolution, Mode of Action and Chemical Ecology, Amnesic: Domoic Acid, Neurotoxic: Ciguatoxin and Brevetoxin, Neurotoxic: Cyclic Imines, Potentially Neurotoxic: Okadaic acid and analogues, Potentially Neurotoxic: Palytoxin, and Methods for assessing the presence of marine neurotoxins.

Role of Inflammation in Environmental Neurotoxicity, Volume Three, in this comprehensive serial, addresses contemporary advances in neurotoxicology by providing authoritative review articles on key issues in the field. Edited by leading subject experts, topics of note in this new release include Neuroinflammation (Introduction), Organophosphates, Lead, Manganese, Drugs of abuse, Peripheral vs central inflammation, Air pollution, Developmental neurotoxicity, Ethanol, and the Blood brain barrier, amongst other topics.

The journey to find genes responsible for determining sensitivity or resistance to specific insecticides led to the paraoxonase (PON1) gene on human chromosome 7. This gene encodes a 355 amino acid protein that is localized on the high density lipoprotein (HDL) particles in plasma. Characterization of this gene revealed that different individuals expressed both different forms of this enzyme with amino acid substitutions at positions 55 and 192 as well as different levels of this protein. Additional studies showed that mutations in the regulatory region of the PON1 gene contributed to the very different levels of plasma PON1 among individuals. It turned out that both the level of the enzyme as well as the amino acid present at position 192 (glutamine or arginine) are important in determining resistance to the active forms of specific organophosphorus insecticides, especially diazinon and chlorpyrifos. The position 192 amino acid also determined whether an individual's plasma hydrolyzed the nerve agents soman and sarin at high or low rates. It is not yet known whether these different rates of hydrolysis observed in biochemical assays reflect differences in sensitivity of individuals to nerve agents. Taken together, all of the experiments carried out to date indicate that engineered recombinant PON1 is an excellent candidate to use for treating cases of poisoning by specific organophosphorus compounds. The available data on the relationship of PON1 levels and position 192 genotype led us to introduce the term PON1 status to describe an individual's PON1 plasma level as well as their position 192 genotype.

The characterization of the genetic variations of the PON1 gene together withexperiments showing that HDL can protect the lipids in low density lipoprotein particles (LDL) from oxidation and that it was PON1 that was responsible for this protection have opened an entirely new area of investigation, the role of PON1 in protecting against vascular disease.

More recent reports have noted that PON1 also metabolizes a number of drugs, activating some and inactivating others.

This book describes the recent advances in understanding the role of PON1 in both cardiovascular disease and toxicology of insecticide exposure as well as some of the recent information indicating an important possible role in the pharmacokinetics of drug metabolism. The final chapter of the book provides an overview of the areas of PON1 research and suggests future directions for research on PON1 as well as the related, linked genes PON2 and PON3.

In recent years, the need to develop acceptable alternatives to conventional animal testing for neurotoxicity and developmental neurotoxicity has been increasingly recognized, and much effort is being directed toward the development of alternative models, utilizing mostly mammalian cells in culture but also non-mammalian model systems. In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Methods and Protocols presents a series of cellular, biochemical, and molecular methodological protocols in the area of in vitro neurotoxicology, with an emphasis on mammalian cell culture systems. Opening with a section on methodologies for preparing several cellular systems of variable complexity, amenable for in vitro neurotoxicological studies, the thorough volume continues with coverage of methods to measure cellular death and major mechanisms, methods for assessing mechanisms of nervous system cell toxicity related to impairment of cell signaling, while a final section illustrates additional methods for assessing important nervous system processes such as cell proliferation, neuritogenesis, and synaptogenesis. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective subjects, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Comprehensive and cutting-edge, In Vitro Neurotoxicology: Methods and Protocols serves researchers with an interest in assessing or characterizing the potential neurotoxicity of environmental contaminants, drugs, or other chemicals.

The paraoxonase or PON family of genes resides on human chromosome 7q2t-22 in the order PONt, PON3 and PON2. PONt was one of the early genes identified as an environmentally relevant gene, in that it is important in determining an individual's sensitivity or resistance to exposure from specific organophosphorus (OP) insecticides. Paraoxonase (PONt) is an A esterase (i. e., not inhibited by OP compounds) initially identified for its ability to catalytically hydrolyze paraoxon, the toxic metabolite (oxon form) of the insecticide parathion. Evidence accumulated in the past several years has established that this enzyme, which is present at variable levels in liver and serum of different individuals, is an important determinant of sensitivity to toxicity of specific organophosphorus compounds including chlorpyrifos oxon and diazoxon. Recent experiments have pointed out that it is the catalytic efficiency of PONt together with the levels of PONt that are important in determining the degree of resistance. Surprisingly, even though PONt has a higher catalytic efficiency than PONtQ)92 for paraoxon RJ92 hydrolysis, it does not provide significant in vivo protection against an exposure to paraoxon. Interest in this enzyme has also emerged from the finding that it displays genetic polymorphisms in most populations, with a significant number of the individuals in a given population canying a PONt gene that puts them at risk for a specific OP exposure."

The protection of human health and food and fiber resources against the ravages of pests of many sorts is a continuous struggle by all people in the world. The use of chemical pesticides as an aid in this struggle is now also global. These chemicals are deliberately added to the environment for the purpose of killing or injuring some form of life. Because pesticides are generally less selectively toxic than would be desired, non-target species, including humans, must be protected from injury by these chemicals. This can only be achieved by thorough understanding of the comparative toxicology of these compounds, and by minimizing human (and other desirable species) exposure. The latter can only be achieved by sound regulatory policies that utilize scientific principles and data, properly tempered by both gaps in that data and sociologic and economic considerations. This book contains the proceedings of the NATO Advanced Study Institute on "Toxicology of Pesticides: Experimental, Clinical and Regulatory Perspectives" held in Riva del Garda on October 6-15, 1986. This NATO-ASI has been promoted by the School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of Washington at Seattle, by the Institute of Pharmacological Sciences, University of Milano and by the Giovanni Lorenzini Foundation, and has been sponsored by both the Society of Toxicology (USA) and the Italian Society of Toxicology.

Presenting the latest research in glial cell function gleaned from new techniques in imaging and molecular biology, The Role of Glia in Neurotoxicity, Second Edition covers multiple aspects of glial cells, including morphology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, pathology, and their involvement in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases. The book is structured to examine the interactions between glial cells and neurons during development, adulthood, and senescence, followed by specific examples of directly mediated glial neurotoxicity. The book also covers miscellaneous topics in glial physiology/biochemistry such as signaling and edema. The book includes coverage of advances in our knowledge and understanding of glial physiology and biochemistry. Discover what's new in the Second Edition: Neuronal-glia metabolic interactions Neuronal-glia interactions (glutamate homeostasis) Zinc transporters in glia Energy deprivation/mitochondrial dysfunction - unique astrocyte susceptibilities Astrocytes and MPTP neurotoxicity Astroglia and food toxins Current understanding of the importance of glia has caused a boom in published information. Yet while many of the published textbooks are multifaceted and multidisciplinary, none includes the role of glia in neurotoxicity. Written by leaders in the field of glial research, this text fills this missing gap in the literature. Broader in scope than the first edition, including contributions from internationally known researchers, this is still the only book dedicated to exploring the role of glial cells in mediating neurotoxicology. Features Summarizes the latest research in glial cell function gleaned from new techniques in imaging and molecular biology Contains tables and figures that give you quick and easy access to precise data Includes a contemporary summary of literature that puts information useful for grant submissions at your fingertips

Neurotoxicity of Halogenated Organic Compounds, Volume 10 covers three groups of Halogenated Organic Compounds (Chlorinated, Brominated, and Fluorinated Compounds) that are legacy and emerging contaminants, providing background information, characteristics, physicochemical properties, environmental contamination, and human exposure. Specific chapters covered in this release include Perspective on Halogenated Organic Compounds, The Neurotoxicity of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Neuroendocrine Effects of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs), Mechanisms of PCB Neurotoxicity: AHR and THR Dogma meet RYR reality, Microbiome and the Neurotoxicity of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), and much more. Other chapters cover Neuroendocrine Effects of Brominated Flame Retardants (BFRs), Focused on Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers (PBDEs), Neurochemical Effects of Halogenated Organic Compounds: Possible Mode(s) of action and Structure-Activity Relationships, The Neurotoxic Effects of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in Animal Models and Human Cohorts, Neurochemical Mechanisms of Perfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Neurotoxic Action, and Future Directions and Regulatory aspects of Halogenated Organic Compounds.

Neurotoxicity of Pesticides, Volume Four, in this comprehensive serial addresses contemporary advances in neurotoxicology of pesticides by providing authoritative review articles on key issues in the field. Edited by leading subject experts, topics of note in this new release include Organophosphates, OPs, Nerve agents, Pyrethroids, Neonicotinoids and Formamidines, among others.

Presenting the latest research in glial cell function gleaned from new techniques in imaging and molecular biology, The Role of Glia in Neurotoxicity, Second Edition covers multiple aspects of glial cells, including morphology, physiology, pharmacology, biochemistry, pathology, and their involvement in the pathophysiology of neurological diseases. The book is structured to examine the interactions between glial cells and neurons during development, adulthood, and senescence, followed by specific examples of directly mediated glial neurotoxicity. The book also covers miscellaneous topics in glial physiology/biochemistry such as signaling and edema. The book includes coverage of advances in our knowledge and understanding of glial physiology and biochemistry. Discover what's new in the Second Edition: Neuronal-glia metabolic interactions Neuronal-glia interactions (glutamate homeostasis) Zinc transporters in glia Energy deprivation/mitochondrial dysfunction - unique astrocyte susceptibilities Astrocytes and MPTP neurotoxicity Astroglia and food toxins Current understanding of the importance of glia has caused a boom in published information. Yet while many of the published textbooks are multifaceted and multidisciplinary, none includes the role of glia in neurotoxicity. Written by leaders in the field of glial research, this text fills this missing gap in the literature. Broader in scope than the first edition, including contributions from internationally known researchers, this is still the only book dedicated to exploring the role of glial cells in mediating neurotoxicology. Features Summarizes the latest research in glial cell function gleaned from new techniques in imaging and molecular biology Contains tables and figures that give you quick and easy access to precise data Includes a contemporary summary of literature that puts information useful for grant submissions at your fingertips