Release Date: 01 October, 2002
Paperback
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From Book News, Inc.
In this new edition of their textbook, Cooper (emeritus, pharmacology, Yale U.), Bloom (neuropharmacology, The Scripps Research Institute), and Roth (pharmacology and psychiatry, Yale U.) retain the structure of earlier editions, introducing the biochemistry and physiology of nervous tissue before moving on to individual discussions of the various neurotransmitters. Discussions of drugs are included as they relate to the particular neurotransmitter under examination.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Book Description
Aside from the usual updating of material, the major change in this edition is an extensive rewriting of the chapter on memory and learning to emphasize that genes that are involved in behavior are not immutable but their expression can be modified by transcription factors. Thus, with respect to learning, that old question about which is more important, nature or nuture, genetics or environment, should be answered with the question, which leg is more important for walking, the left leg or the right?
Book Info
Yale Univ., New Haven, CT. Text provides a view of neurotransmitters, their role in the nervous system function, and involvement in the mechanisms of psychiatric drug action. Updated information includes clinical examples, targets for new drugs, molecular genetics, and drug delivery to the brain. Previous edition: c1996. Softcover. DNLM: Neuropharmacology. Rating 4.5
NeuropharmacologyThis reference is easy to read. As well, unlike most pharmacology texts, this one does not concentrate on drugs, but rather on the underlying physiology. There is an introduction to neurons, synapses and action potentials. There is an introduction to modern molecular methods. It is interesting to note that in describing molecular cloning methods, the work of J. G. Sutcliffe, R.J. Milner, and F.E. Bloom is reported whereby a cDNA library was prepared from mRNAs from whole rat brain, then it was seen what individual cDNAs hybridized with the mRNAs from rat liver and kidney. Approximately 30,000 of the brain's 50,000 mRNAs were not detected in the liver or kidney, showing that much of the rat's DNA is for neuronal purposes. In the introduction to receptors, it is noted that there about a thousand known receptors to neurotransmitters, hormones and odorants. The introduction to neuromodulators includes the neuronal effects of nitric oxide (thought to be involved in both long-term potentiation LTP and long-term depression LTD; nitric oxide synthase inhibitors will block NMDA receptor activation). The chapter on amino acid neurotransmitters includes excitatory glutamate and aspartate, and inhibitory GABA, glycine, alanine, cystathionine and serine. There are chapters on cholinergic (acetylcholine) and catecholaminergic (norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine) neurotransmitters. Serotonin and histamine neurotransmitters are considered in detail in the next chapter. There is an introduction to neuroactive peptides, noting that they must be synthesized on ribosomes, then at the smooth endoplasmic reticulum they are put into vesicles in a prohormonal form, and only then transported to the nerve terminals. The book concludes with introductions to the cellular mechanisms involved in learning, and the involvement of neurotransmitters in neurological and psychiatric illnesses.Excellent introductory glimpse of neuropharmacologyThis book is an excellent introductory text, suitable for undergraduates or "outsiders", outlining the basic principles of neuropharmacology. Reviews of the major concepts involved in neurotransmission are included in the first half of the book, such as cellular and molecular (read DNA) biological basics as well as descriptions of amino acid based neurotransmission. The second half of the book is organized with each chapter devoted to a single molecule. My major criticism is that although the title is "The BIOCHEMICAL Basis of Neuropharmacology", the chemistry in the text is rather simple and incomplete, and the lack of quantitative discussion of pharmacokinetics is a major disappointment. All beginning students of neuropharmacology should purchase this book - in paperback it is truly a bargain. END |
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