Shedding Light On The Nervous System Progress In Neurophotonics Research

Worldwide, stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability, with an estimated prevalence of 2.5%. The prevalence of people living with the effects of stroke has increased because of the growing aging population. As the number of stroke survivors increases, so does the demand for function rehabilitation of stroke. The goal of conventional rehabilitation is to improve residual function and restore independence, but its impact is still limited. Novel therapeutic approaches remain urgent and the potential mechanisms underlying these approaches require further exploration. Therefore, in this Research Topic, our goals include: (1) to explore novel rehabilitation approaches of stroke in both acute and chronic stages; (2) to explore the potential mechanisms underlying novel rehabilitation approaches of stroke; (3) to explore different situations and challenges across different countries regarding rehabilitation of stroke; (4) to identify ways to further improve the quality of rehabilitation for stroke; (5) to identify and remove barriers that limit patients’ access to appropriate rehabilitation services.

Understanding how the brain works and developing effective therapeutics are important in advancing neuroscience and improving clinical patient care. Neurophotonics and Brain Mapping covers state-of-the-art research and development in optical technologies and applications for brain mapping and therapeutics. It provides a comprehensive overview of various methods developed using light, both microscopic and macroscopic techniques. Recent developments in minimally-invasive endoscopic imaging of deep brain structure and function, as well as light-based therapy are also reviewed.

Encyclopedia of Biomedical Engineering, Three Volume Set is a unique source for rapidly evolving updates on topics that are at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering. Biomaterials, biomedical devices and techniques play a significant role in improving the quality of health care in the developed world. The book covers an extensive range of topics related to biomedical engineering, including biomaterials, sensors, medical devices, imaging modalities and imaging processing. In addition, applications of biomedical engineering, advances in cardiology, drug delivery, gene therapy, orthopedics, ophthalmology, sensing and tissue engineering are explored. This important reference work serves many groups working at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering, including engineering students, biological science students, clinicians, and industrial researchers. Provides students with a concise description of the technologies at the interface of the biological sciences and engineering Covers all aspects of biomedical engineering, also incorporating perspectives from experts working within the domains of biomedicine, medical engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, electrical engineering, and more Contains reputable, multidisciplinary content from domain experts Presents a ‘one-stop’ resource for access to information written by world-leading scholars in the field

Photobiomodulation in the Brain: Low-Level Laser (Light) Therapy in Neurology and Neuroscience presents the fundamentals of photobiomodulation and the diversity of applications in which light can be implemented in the brain. It will serve as a reference for future research in the area, providing the basic foundations readers need to understand photobiomodulation’s science-based evidence, practical applications and related adaptations to specific therapeutic interventions. The book covers the mechanisms of action of photobiomodulation to the brain, and includes chapters describing the pre-clinical studies and clinical trials that have been undertaken for diverse brain disorders, including traumatic events, degenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders. Provides a much-needed reference on photobiomodulation with an unprecedented focus on the brain and its disorders Features a body of world-renowned editors and chapter authors that promote research, policy and funding Discusses the recent and rapid accumulation of literature in this area of research and the shift towards the use of non-invasive techniques in therapy

The second edition of OCT and Imaging in Central Nervous System Diseases offers updated state-of-the-art advances using optical coherence tomography (OCT) regrading neuronal loss within the retina. Detailed information on the OCT imaging and interpretation is provided for the evaluation of disease progression in numerous neurodegenerative disorders and as a biological marker of neuroaxonal injury. Covering disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, intracranial hypertension, Friedreich's ataxia, schizophrenia, hereditary optic neuropathies, glaucoma, and amblyopia, readers will given insights into effects on the retina and the and optic nerve. Individual chapters are also devoted to OCT technique, new OCT technology in neuro-ophthalmology, OCT and pharmacological treatment, and the use of OCT in animal models. Similar to the first edition, this book is an excellent and richly illustrated reference for diagnosis of many retinal diseases and monitoring of surgical and medical treatment. OCT allows to study vision from of the retina to the optic tracts. Retinal axons in the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) are non-myelinated until they penetrate the lamina cribrosa. Hence, the RNFL is an ideal structure for visualization of any process of neurodegeneration, neuroprotection, or regeneration. By documenting the ability of OCT to provide key information on CNS diseases, this book illustrates convincingly that the eye is indeed the "window to the brain".

The improvement of exercise performance in sports not only involves the enhancement of physical strength, but also includes the development of psychological and cognitive functions. There is an increasing body of evidence to show that physical exercise is a powerful way to improve a number of aspects of cognition and brain function at the systemic and behavioral levels. Yet, several questions remain: What type of exercise program is optimal for improving cognitive functions? What are the real effects of certain innovative exercise protocols on the relationship between behavior and the brain? To what extent do ergogenic aids boost cognitive function? How efficient are neuromodulation techniques in relation to behavioral performance? The answers to these questions likely require multidisciplinary insights not only from physiologists and sports scientists, but also from neuroscientists and psychologists. The manuscripts published (16 research papers and one perspective article from various academic fields) in this Special Issue Book “Exercise: A Gate That Primes the Brain to Perform” bring together current knowledge and novel directions in human exercise-cognition research dealing with performance. This book showcases the various relationships between cognitive function, brain activity, and behavioral performance with applications in sports and exercise science.

This book, now in a thoroughly revised second edition, offers a comprehensive review of the rapidly growing field of optogenetics, in which light-sensing proteins are genetically engineered into cells in order to acquire information on cellular physiology in optical form or to enable control of specific network in the brain upon activation by light. Light-sensing proteins of various living organisms are now available to be exogenously expressed in neurons and other target cells both in vivo and in vitro. Cellular functions can thus be manipulated or probed by light. The new edition documents fully the extensive progress since publication of the first edition to provide an up-to-date overview of the physical, chemical, and biological properties of light-sensing proteins and their application in biological systems, particularly in neuroscience but also in medicine and the optical sciences. Underlying principles are explained and detailed information provided on a wide range of optogenetic tools for the observation and control of cellular signaling and physiology, gene targeting technologies, and optical methods for biological applications. In presenting the current status of optogenetics and emerging directions, this milestone publication will be a “must read” for all involved in research in any way related to optogenetics.