Parkinson's Disease: Methods and Protocols / Edition 1

by M. Maral Mouradian

Overview

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder charact- ized clinically by tremor, rigidity, slow movements, and postural instability. Pathologically, dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra bear the brunt of the degeneration, though other neuronal groups can be affected as well. Although Parkinson’s disease is the only neurodegenerative disorder for which effective therapies are available, these treatment options are only symptomatic, do not influence the underlying degenerative process, and are associated with a high incidence of complications, particularly with their long-term use. The progressive nature of the disease and the limitations of its palliative therapies result in significant functional impairment. The chronic disability and the increased prevalence of the disease with the prolongation of life expectancy in developed countries make the social and economic impact of this disease quite high. For- nately, systematic basic and clinical research in this disease has yielded major new advances that render patients’ hopes for a cure considerably closer to reality. The application of molecular biologic methodologies in the study of Parkinson’s disease has begun to have a major impact only in recent years. Con- quently, the utility of these technologies is largely in the research arena, although their clinical applications are now being realized.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780896037618
Publisher:	Springer-Verlag New York, LLC
Publication date:	04/20/2001
Series:	Methods in Molecular Medicine , #62
Edition description:	2001
Pages:	317
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.25(h) x 0.03(d)

Table of Contents

Genetics.- Point Mutations in the—-Synuclein Gene.- Autosomal Recessive Juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP): Genetic Diagnosis.- Molecular Pathogenetic Studies.- Parkinson's Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, and Multiple System Atrophy as—-Synucleinopathies.-—-Synuclein/Amyloid Interactions.- Functional Defect Conferred by the Parkinson's Disease-Causing—-Synuclein (Ala30Pro) Mutation.- Molecular Biology of Dopamine-Induced Apoptosis.- Animal Models of Induced Apoptotic Death in the Substantia Nigra.- Apoptotic Morphology in Phenotypically Defined Dopaminergic Neurons of the Substantia Nigra.- The Role of Nitric Oxide in Parkinson's Disease.- Oxidative Stress Indices in Parkinson's Disease.- Molecular Aspects of Basal Ganglia Function.- Quantification of Tyrosine Hydroxylase mRNA.- Immunochemical Analysis of Dopamine Transporters in Parkinson's Disease.- Dopamine Transporter and Vesicular Monoamine Transporter Knockout Mice.- Transcription Mechanisms for Dopamine Receptor Genes.- Detection of DNA/Protein Interactions in Dopamine Receptor Genes.- In Situ Hybridization on Brain Tissue.- Regulation of Striatal N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (NMDAR) Function by Phosphorylation of its Subunits in Parkinsonian Rats.- Molecular Therapies.- Chronic Intracerebral Delivery of Trophic Factors via a Programmable Pump as a Treatment for Parkinsonism.- Grafting Genetically Engineered Cells into the Striatum of Nonhuman Primates.- Encapsulated Cell Implants as a Novel Treatment for Parkinson's Disease.- Neural Stem Cell Technology as a Novel Treatment for Parkinson's Disease.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Daniel B. Hier, MD (University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This is a collection of 21 research papers by over 50 authors on the use of new genetic and molecular methods in the study of Parkinson's disease.
Purpose: This book aims to collect in one place detailed information about how to use new genetic and molecular methods to study Parkinson's disease. The emphasis is on providing enough detail about methods to allow other researchers to compare or even duplicate methodologies.
Audience: This book is aimed primarily at active researchers in the field of Parkinson's disease who use sophisticated new molecular biology methodologies.
Features: The most unique feature of this book is the detail in which the molecular methods are described. Each author has provided detailed information about his or her methodology, including equipment and reagents used. The book is divided into four large sections: genetics, molecular pathogenetic studies, molecular studies of the basal ganglia, and molecular therapies.
Assessment: This is a fairly unique book. It is aimed at a limited audience of active molecular biology researchers in the field of Parkinson's disease. The level of methodological detail is greater than what is provided in a typical research publication. Active researchers will find it a valuable resource when designing experiments.

Doody's Review Service

"The most unique feature of this book is the detail in which the molecular methods are described. Each author has provided detailed information about his or her methodology, including equipment and reagents used. The book is divided into four large sections: genetics, molecular pathogenetic studies, molecular studies of the basal ganglia, and molecular therapies. . .This is a fairly unique book. . .The level of methodological detail is greater than what is provided in a typical research publication. Active researchers will find it a valuable resource when designing experiments."-Doody's Health Sciences Book Review Journal



"...provides extensive coverage of the different techniques employed by molecular geneticists and neurobiologists for studying the pathogenesis of PD....Parkinson's Disease: Methods and Protocols is well organized and provides a valuable resource for graduate students and postdoctoral scientists....The notes at the end of each chapter are particularly beneficial because they are based on the practical experience of experts in the field who have developed the models and methods....covers a wide spectrum of ongoing research in the PD field and provides insight into cross-disciplinary approaches that will facilitate finding a cure for PD." - Journal of Molecular Neuroscience

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