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[
2011]
In 1993, the genetic mutation responsible for Huntington's disease (HD) was identified. Considered a milestone in human genomics, this discovery has led to nearly two decades of remarkable progress that has greatly increased our knowledge of HD, and documented an unexpectedly large and diverse range of biochemical and genetic perturbations that seem to result directly from the expression of the mutant huntingtin gene. Neurobiology of Huntington's Disease: Applications to Drug Discovery presents a thorough review of the issues surrounding drug discovery and development for the treatment of this paradigmatic neurodegenerative disease. Drawing on the expertise of key researchers in the field, the book discusses the basic neurobiology of Huntington's disease and how its monogenic nature confers enormous practical advantages for translational research, including the creation of robust experimental tools, models, and assays to facilitate discovery and validation of molecular targets and drug candidates for HD. Written to support future basic research as well as drug development efforts, this volume:Covers the latest research approaches in genetics, genomics, and proteomics, including high-throughput and high-content screening. Highlights advances in the discovery and development of new drug therapies for neurodegenerative disorders. Examines the practical realities of preclinical testing, clinical testing strategies, and, ultimately, clinical usage. While the development of effective drug treatments for Huntington's disease continues to be tremendously challenging, a highly interactive and cooperative community of researchers and clinical investigators now brings us to the threshold of potential breakthroughs in the quest for therapeutic agents. The impressive array of drug discovery resources outlined in the text holds much promise for treating this devastating disease, providing hope to long-suffering Huntington's disease patients and their families.
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[
2009]
With contributions from more than 40 field specialists, Methods of Behavior Analysis in Neuroscience reflects six years of updates to its first bestselling edition and elucidates new behavioral approaches that are quickly becoming field standards. This second edition features new material on the relevance of transgenic mouse models for Alzheimer's disease, behavioral methods for assessing the cognitive impairment associated with major psychotic disorders, the revival of the scopolamine reversal model for assessing the clinical relevance of new AD drugs, and new approaches to assessing the cognitive impairment in aged mice.
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StemBook is an open access collection of invited, original, peer-reviewed chapters covering a range of topics related to stem cell biology written by top researchers in the field at the Harvard Stem Cell Institute and worldwide. StemBook is aimed at stem cell and non-specialist researchers. In addition to the contributions of the editorial board and the stem cell research community, the project is being done in collaboration with several other enterprises including Harvards Initiative in Innovative Computing. The Initiative in Innovative Computing created the Scientific Collaboration Framework (SCF), the extensible software infrastructure used for the project. SCF and the StemBook project were funded, in part, by a generous grant from an anonymous foundation and also appreciates the input of WormBase's Textpresso team.
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[
2006]
Featuring contributions from distinguished researchers in the field of cognitive therapy research, Animal Models of Cognitive Impairment examines some of the most popular and successful animal archetypes used in the context of drug discovery. It provides integrated coverage of the latest research concerning neuronal systems relevant to cognitive function and dysfunction, assimilating reviews of this research within the context of each chapter. This approach is unique in that it brings together molecular and neurochemical methodologies, behavioral applications in translational models, and clinical applications. This book comprehensively discusses a wide variety of animal models of cognitive impairment, including genetic, lesion, pharmacological, and aging related impairments. It also explores the significance of this research in regards to the treatment of various addictions and disorders such as stroke, autism, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and ADHD.
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[
2011]
The rapid expansion of the TRP field has generated a large amount of excellent original work across many different research fields. However, investigators are not necessarily familiar with the pros and cons of the variety of methods used to study TRP channels. Because of functional and genetic diversity, as well as the different physiological roles they play, techniques used for studying TRP channels range from single molecular analysis to behavioral animal studies. Methods in multiple areas, such as molecular biology, fluorescence imaging, electrophysiology, cell biology, genetics, proteomics, pharmacology, system physiology, and behavioral assessment, are employed to investigate various aspects of these channels. Choosing among many possible topics in these broad areas was a daunting task. A comprehensive review of the field, TRP Channels spans the information gap by providing broad coverage of current methods and techniques commonly used in TRP channel research, and detailed protocols with thorough discussions of the advantages and disadvantages across methods. Some topics covered include 1. Mammalian, Drosophila and C. elegans TRP channels. 2. Practical protocols for functional studies of TRP channels, including TRPC, TRPV, TRPA, TRPM and the intracellularly localized TRPML channels. 3. ThermoTRPs, including the new fast temperature jump apparatus and the high throughput random mutagenesis method for screening critical motifs involved in TRP channel regulation. 4. Cell-based high-throughput screening assays for TRP channels and their applications in drug discoveries. 5. TRP channel functions in native cells, including smooth muscles, neurons, and cancers. Showcasing the current status of the field, TRP Channels covers the major techniques used in various areas of research. The majority of the chapters are protocol oriented, with the goal of providing clear directions for laboratory use. Because of the breadth of the TRP field, the applications of some methods are described in multiple chapters by experts working on a variety of channel types that serve different physiological functions, highlighting distinctive views on how the methodology can be utilized. Some chapters include discussion on the usefulness and pitfalls associated with the use of certain techniques. Together with chapters that offer comprehensive reviews on the functional regulation and other roles of TRP channels, students and investigators new to the field should find this book particularly informative.