Animal Models of Neurological Disease, II : Metabolic Encephalopathies and the Epilepsies

to the Animal Models Volumes This and several other volumes in the Neuromethods series will describe a number of animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders. Because of increasing public concern over the ethical treatment of animals in research, we felt it incumbent upon us to include this general preface to these volumes in order to indicate why we think further - search using animals is necessary and why animal models of psychiatric disorders, in particular, are so important. We recognize that animals should only be used when suitable alternatives are not available. We think it self-e- dent, however, that humans can only be experimented upon in severely proscribed circumstances and alternative pro- dures using cell or tissue culture are inadequate in any models requiring assessments of behavioral change or of complex in vivo processes. However, when the distress, discomfort, or pain to the animals outweighs the anticipated gains for human welfare, then the research is not ethical and should not be carried out. It is imperative that each individual researcher examine his/her own research from a critical moral standpoint - fore engaging in it, taking into consideration the animals’ welfare as well as the anticipated gains. Furthermore, once a decision to proceed with research is made, it is the researcher’s responsibility to ensure that the animals’ w- fare is of prime concern in terms of appropriate housing, feeding, and maximum reduction of any uncomfortable or distressing effects of the experimental conditions, and that these conditions undergo frequent formalized monitoring.

The use of animal models continues to be the most reliable way of studying pathophysiologic mechanisms as well as treatments for neurological disorders. In two companion volumes, Animal Models of Neurological Disease highlights new information and techniques available in this rapidly growing area.

This volume of Neuromethods-the second of a two-volume set on Animal Models of Neurological Disease-presents forefront techniques for studying a variety of seizure disorders and metabolic diseases affecting the CNS. Contributions have been gleaned from a panel of experts in several areas, including: human stroke • focal and global ischemia • brain hypoxia in vivo and in vitro • Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome • chemically induced and genetic-based seizures • the kindling model of epilepsy • hepatic encephalopathies • vitamin deficiency syndromes • hereditary hyperammonemias.

Boulton, Baker, and Butterworth's important new set on Animal Models of Neurological Disease is an outstanding guide for all researchers striving to better understand neurological disease.

Booknews

The second volume of two in the series (more to come) dealing with animals models presents forefront techniques for studying a variety of seizure disorders and metabolic diseases affecting the CNS. Among the topics: human stroke, focal and global ischemia, brain hypoxia, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, chemically induced and genetic-based seizures, the kindling model of epilepsy, hepatic encephalopathies, vitamin deficiency syndromes, hereditary hyperammonemias. Protocols and methodologies are described in enough detail so that consultation of the original article in which the procedures were described is unneccessary. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

The use of animal models continues to be the most reliable way of studying pathophysiologic mechanisms as well as treatments for neurological disorders. In two companion volumes, Animal Models of Neurological Disease highlights new information and techniques available in this rapidly growing area. This volume of Neuromethods focuses on commonly studied neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting the similarities and differences between the human condition and that obtained using animal models. Chapters are contributed by experts in the field and cover a variety of topics, including: the ethics of using animal models Alzheimer's disease Huntington's disease Parkinson's disease Lesch-Nyhan disease genetic and nongenetic demyelinating diseases cerebellar ataxias rodent and primate models surgical lesions neurotoxins. Boulton, Baker, and Butterworth's important new treatise on Animal Models of Neurological Disease is an outstanding guide for all researchers striving for a better understanding of neurological disease Playing an important role in the treatment of neurological disorders, the delivery of drugs to central nervous system (CNS), both administered directly and administered systematically for targeted action, encounters a major challenge in the form of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), which limits the access of drugs to the brain substance. Front Matter....Pages i-xviii Back Matter....Pages 1-50 ....Pages 51-93