|
 OTHER REVIEWS IN THIS ISSUE Pages: |1|
2|
3|
4|
5|
6|
7|
8|
9|
10|
11|
[Popular Books Section]
[Books on CD/Audio tapes]
|
|
|
Drugs of Abuse - Neurological Reviews and Protocols, 1st Edition, edited by John Q. Wang Hardcover, 6" x 9".
Humana Press Inc., 999 Riverview Drive, Suite 208, Totowa, New Jersey 07512. Publication Date 10 December, 2002. xiv + 514 pages, ISBN 1-58829-057-3 (acid-free Paper). Price $135.00
 |
|
 |
Molecular biology is a field that is growing by leaps and bounds, revolutionizing progress in several areas of scientific research. Toxicology is no exception and has received tremendous boost in recent times owing to the evolution of new molecular technologies that have transformed our understanding of the exact ways in which drugs and poisons act. The book under review explores the neurological ramifications of several drugs of abuse at a molecular level by the employment of such cutting edge scientific technologies. The book forms part of a series - "Methods in Molecular Medicine," and remains faithful to the format of earlier volumes in the series. Leading scientists have contributed novel research protocols in meticulous detail that are easily comprehensible and reproducible. They cover a wide range of studies on protein and mRNA at both tissue and cellular levels.
Over the preceding ten years or so, hectic work has been undertaken by investigators on inducible gene expression in striatal neurons. Changes in gene expression for a large variety of proteins in the striatum have been studied in response to drug administration. It is well known that long-term addictive properties of many drugs of abuse result in the development of neuroplasticity as a consequence of altered expression of certain mRNAs and their product proteins.
|
The book describes the numerous labeling methods by which gene expression can be detected in cell phenotypes. In fact, the expression of multiple genes of interest can be detected in a single cell simultaneously. The recent advent of microarray screening technology has now made it possible to detect thousands of gene expression products in a single experimental setup.
Protocols are also included in the book for studying the release kinetics of striatal dopamine, and for the quantitative measurement of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine. These are highly relevant areas of research. For instance, it is well known that striatal dopamine is a prime brain transmitter that interacts with common psychostimulant drugs of abuse such as amphetamine and cocaine. As far as acetylcholine is considered, there is increasing evidence that it has an important role to play in the control of drug actions.
Other useful protocols contained in the book include those which help in analyzing the functional roles of genes and proteins, for example, antisense strategy, knockout mice, and viral-mediated gene transfer. There are also very topical protocols on immunohistochemical methods of examining cellular proliferation and differentiation in the adult rodent brain, along with methods of culture to grow viable neural progenitors. All protocols have been prepared by highly qualified investigators with considerable research experience, and have been thoroughly tried and tested in the laboratory. At the end of each article is a final section of Notes, which discusses matters relating to pitfalls and troubleshooting.
|
A feature of particular interest to this reviewer is the protocol dealing with primary neural culture preparation for studies on intracellular signaling pathways and gene expression. These cultures represent an easily controlled model for the study of cellular events associated with drug's actions. It is certain that the success of the neural culture model will further spur molecular research into drugs of abuse.
In conclusion, this book is a highly practical, state-of-the-art volume of thought provoking reviews and innovative, easily reproducible protocols which are indispensable to any neurobiological laboratory undertaking basic or advanced research studies. Illustrative data have been provided wherever necessary so that investigators will have the advantage of comparing these with their own results from the first run of a protocol. The book comprising 35 meticulously prepared chapters involving the contributions of more than 45 highly qualified researchers, edited impeccably by John Q. Wang is, in the opinion of this reviewer, a jewel in the crown of neurological research into drugs of abuse.
 |
-V.V.Pillay
Dr. Pillay is one of the foremost exponents of toxicology in the Asian continent. He has authored two books on toxicology, besides a Comprehensive textbook on Forensic Medicine. His books on toxicology include the bestseller "Pocketbook of Pesticide Poisoning for physicians". He is currently the Chief of Poison Control Centre, at the Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology, Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin - 682 026. He is the Chief Reviewer of Best Toxicology Books. His Phone number is 0484 - 339080 |
Order Humana Press Books by clicking here.
Request a PDF file of this review by clicking here. (If your screen resolution can not be increased, or if printing this page is giving you problems like overlapping of graphics and/or tables etc, you can take a proper printout from a pdf file. You will need an Acrobat Reader though. You can also create a pdf file yourself by clicking here.)
N.B. It is essential to read this journal - and especially this review as it contains several tables and high resolution graphics - under a screen resolution of 1600 x 1200 dpi or more. If the resolution is less than this, you may see broken or overlapping tables/graphics, graphics overlying text or other anomalies. It is strongly advised to switch over to this resolution to read this journal - and especially this review. These pages are viewed best in Netscape Navigator 4.7 and above.
-Anil Aggrawal
[ Major links ]
[ Aims and Objectives ] [ FAQ ] [ Editorial Board ] [ Contributing Partners ] [ Sitemap ]
[ Paper/Thesis submission guidelines ] [ Editorials - Cumulative Index ] [ Be our sponsor! ]
[ Cumulative index of Book Reviews sorted by | Publishers | General Interest Books | Technical Books ] [ Animated Reviews ] [ Featured Reviews ]
[ Reviews with Quizzes ] [ Links ] [ Submit books/journals/software/multimedia for review ] [ journal CD ] [ History of the Journal ] [ Interviews ] [ Credits ]
[ Cumulative index of | Theses/dissertations | Online Courses | Awards ] [ Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Book Reviews - Sister Publication ]
[ Cumulative reviews of Software/Multimedia | Books on CD/Audio tapes | Calenders | Models ] [ contact us ]
Books for review must be submitted at the following address.
Professor Anil Aggrawal (Editor-in-Chief)
Anil Aggrawal's Internet Journal of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology
S-299 Greater Kailash-1
New Delhi-110048
India
Click here to contact us.
This page has been constructed and maintained by Dr. Anil Aggrawal, Professor of Forensic Medicine, at the Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi-110002. You may want to give me the feedback to make this pages better. Please be kind enough to write your comments in the guestbook maintained above. These comments would help me make these pages better.
IMPORTANT NOTE: ALL PAPERS APPEARING IN THIS ONLINE JOURNAL ARE COPYRIGHTED BY "ANIL AGGRAWAL'S INTERNET JOURNAL OF FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY" AND MAY NOT BE REPOSTED, REPRINTED OR OTHERWISE USED IN ANY MANNER WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE WEBMASTER
Questions or suggestions ? Please use ICQ 19727771 or email to dr_anil@hotmail.com
Page Professor Anil Aggrawal via ICQ
|
