Central Nervous System Acting Drugs Molecular Mechanisms Of Neuroprotection And Neurodegeneration

This fully revised edition explores the management of neurological disorders with a focus on neuroprotection, disease modification, and neuroregeneration rather than symptomatic treatment. Since the publication of the first edition, advances in biotechnology, particularly in cell and gene therapies, are reflected in this volume, as are numerous new and repurposed drugs in clinical trials. Overall, The Handbook of Neuroprotection serves as a comprehensive review of neuroprotection based on knowledge of the molecular basis of disorders of the central nervous system. In-depth and authoritative, The Handbook of Neuroprotection, Second Edition features a compendium of vital knowledge aimed at providing researchers with an essential reference for this key neurological area of study.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are the most common pathologies of the central nervous system currently without a cure. They share common molecular and cellular characteristics, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate toxicity, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and ageing, which contribute to neuronal death. Efforts to treat these diseases are often limited by their multifactorial etiology. Natural products, thanks to their multitarget activities, are considered promising alternatives for the treatment of neurodegeneration. This book deals with two different forms of natural products: extracts and isolated compounds. The study of the bioactivity of the extracts is extremely important as many studies have demonstrated the synergistic effect of the combination of different natural products. On the other hand, the investigation of the activity of specifically isolated natural products can be also important to understand their cellular and molecular mechanisms and to define the specific bioactive components in extracts or foods. This book can be considered an important contribution to knowledge of the neuroprotective effect of natural products and presents a great deal of information, related to both the benefits but also the limitations of their use in counteracting neurodegeneration.

Drugs affecting the nerves and the brain are among the most commonly used in contemporary medicine. This study examines the mechanisms by which such substances cause their therapeutic or undesirable side-effects in relation to underlying processes and pathological phenomena. The book fills the information gap between large textbooks and highly specialized reviews and monographs. Mechanisms of drug actions are examined mainly at the cellular and subcellular levels. Molecular, neurochemical and electrophysiological approaches are used in an attempt to provide a rational study of drugs acting on the nervous system.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, are the most common pathologies of the central nervous system currently without a cure. They share common molecular and cellular characteristics, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial dysfunction, glutamate toxicity, dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and ageing, which contribute to neuronal death. Efforts to treat these diseases are often limited by their multifactorial etiology. Natural products, thanks to their multitarget activities, are considered promising alternatives for the treatment of neurodegeneration. This book deals with two different forms of natural products: extracts and isolated compounds. The study of the bioactivity of the extracts is extremely important as many studies have demonstrated the synergistic effect of the combination of different natural products. On the other hand, the investigation of the activity of specifically isolated natural products can be also important to understand their cellular and molecular mechanisms and to define the specific bioactive components in extracts or foods. This book can be considered an important contribution to knowledge of the neuroprotective effect of natural products and presents a great deal of information, related to both the benefits but also the limitations of their use in counteracting neurodegeneration.

Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research - CNS and Neurological Disorders is a book series that brings updated reviews to readers interested in advances in the development of pharmaceutical agents for the treatment of central nervous system (CNS) and other nerve disorders. The scope of the book series covers a range of topics including the medicinal chemistry, pharmacology, molecular biology and biochemistry of contemporary molecular targets involved in neurological and CNS disorders. Reviews presented in the series are mainly focused on clinical and therapeutic aspects of novel drugs intended for these targets. Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research - CNS and Neurological Disorders is a valuable resource for pharmaceutical scientists and postgraduate students seeking updated and critical information for developing clinical trials and devising research plans in neurology and allied disciplines. The twelfth volume of this series features these reviews: Chapter 1: Recent Drugs Tested in Clinical Trials for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases Treatment: Current Approaches in Tracking New Drugs Chapter 2: Neurobiology of Placebo: Interpreting Its Evolutionary Origin, Meaning, Mechanisms, Monitoring, and Implications in Therapeutics Chapter 3: Role of Gut Microbiota in Neuroinflammation and Neurological Disorders Chapter 4: The Role of Age in Pediatric Tumors of the Central Nervous System Chapter 5: Drug Repurposing in CNS and Clinical Trials: Recent Achievements and Perspectives Focusing on Epilepsy and Related Comorbidities Chapter 6: Progress on the Development of Oxime Derivatives as a Potential Antidote for Organophosphorus Poisoning Readership Pharmaceutical scientists, clinical researchers, medical consultants and allied healthcare professionals interested in neuropharmacology and neurology

Handbook of Innovations in CNS Regenerative Medicine provides a comprehensive overview of the CNS regenerative medicine field. The book describes the basic biology and anatomy of the CNS and how injury and disease affect its balance and the limitations of the present therapies used in the clinics. It also introduces recent trends in different fields of CNS regenerative medicine, including cell transplantation, bio and neuro-engineering, molecular/pharmacotherapy therapies and enabling technologies. Finally, the book presents successful cases of translation of basic research to first-in-human trials and the steps needed to follow this path. Areas such as cell transplantation approaches, bio and neuro-engineering, molecular/pharmacotherapy therapies and enabling technologies are key in regenerative medicine are covered in the book, along with regulatory and ethical issues. Describes the basic biology and anatomy of the CNS and how injury and disease affect its balance Discusses the limitations of present therapies used in the clinics Introduces the recent trends in different fields of CNS regenerative medicine, including cell transplantation, bio and neuro-engineering, molecular/pharmacotherapy therapies, and enabling technologies Presents successful cases of translation of basic research to first-in-human trials, along with the steps needed to follow this path

Discovery and Development of Neuroprotective Agents from Natural Products draws together global research on medicinal agents from natural sources as starting points for the design of neuroprotective drugs. From the prediction of promising leads and identification of active agents to the extraction of complex molecules, the book explores a range of important topics to support the development of safer, more economical therapeutics for these increasingly prevalent diseases. Beginning with an overview of current developments in the field, the book goes on to explore the identification, extraction and phytochemistry of such neuroprotective agents as antioxidants, biophenols and naturally occurring anti-inflammatory steroid analogues. Specific natural sources of bioactive agents are reviewed, and the development of these agents into therapeutics for a number of specific neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and ischemic brain stroke, are discussed. Combining the expertise of specialists from around the world, this in the Natural Products Drug Discovery series aims to support and encourage researchers in the investigation of natural sources as starting points for the development of standardized, safe and effective neuroprotective drugs. Features chapters written by active researchers and leading global experts deeply engaged in the research field of natural product chemistry for drug discovery Includes comprehensive coverage of cutting-edge research advances in the design of drugs from natural products targeted at different kinds of neurodegenerative diseases Offers a practical review of identification, isolation and extraction techniques to support medicinal chemists in the lab