Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions: Metal Ions in Life Sciences Vol 1

About the Series..."Metal Ions in Life Sciences" links coordination chemistry and biochemistry in their widest sense and thus increases our understanding of the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes. The series reflects the interdisciplinary nature of "Biological Inorganic Chemistry" and coordinates the efforts of scientists in fields like biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, molecular and structural biology, enzymology, environmental chemistry, physiology, toxicology, biophysics, pharmacy, and medicine. Consequently, the volumes are an essential source for researchers active in these and related fields as well as teachers preparing courses, e.g., in "Bioinorganic Chemistry." About this Book... Volume 1, devoted solely to the vital research area concerning the role of metal ions in neurodegenerative diseases, offers in 15 stimulating chapters an authoritative and timely view of this fascinating subject. "Written by 41 internationally recognized experts," "Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions" highlights, supported by 130 illustrations, the recent progress made in understanding the role metal ions play in diseases like transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob and related diseases), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Wilson's and Menkes' diseases, as well as in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and others. The interplay between metal ions, catecholamines and the formation of reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress is considered, as is the metalloneurochemistry of zinc and the neurotoxicity of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The need for novel drugs which manipulate metal-centered neuropathology is emphasized.

About the Series...

Metal Ions in Life Sciences links coordination chemistry and biochemistry in their widest sense and thus increases our understanding of the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes. The series reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Biological Inorganic Chemistry and coordinates the efforts of scientists in fields like biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, molecular and structural biology, enzymology, environmental chemistry, physiology, toxicology, biophysics, pharmacy, and medicine. Consequently, the volumes are an essential source for researchers active in these and related fields as well as teachers preparing courses, e.g., in Bioinorganic Chemistry.

About this Book...

Volume 1, devoted solely to the vital research area concerning the role of metal ions in neurodegenerative diseases, offers in 15 stimulating chapters an authoritative and timely view of this fascinating subject.

Written by 41 internationally recognized experts, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions highlights, supported by 130 illustrations, the recent progress made in understanding the role metal ions play in diseases like transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob and related diseases), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Wilson's and Menkes' diseases, as well as in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and others. The interplay between metal ions, catecholamines and the formation of reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress is considered, as is the metalloneurochemistry of zinc and the neurotoxicity ofaluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The need for novel drugs which manipulate metal-centered neuropathology is emphasized.

Doody Review Services

Reviewer:Eugene A Davidson, PhD(Georgetown University School of Medicine)
Description:This is the first of a two-volume set reviewing the role of heavy metals in neuropathology. Most of the metals are covered except for nickel, which is the subject of the second volume.
Purpose:The goal of this book is to provide an up-to-date review of the interactions of various heavy metals with the nervous system. Given the breadth of possible interactions, this is a worthwhile endeavor. In general, this is a successful effort.
Audience:The audience is expected to be research fellows and senior investigators either working in this area or who have a peripheral interest. The editors have assembled an international group of experienced and well recognized contributors.
Features:There is a fair amount of knowledge about deficiency diseases involving metal ions such as copper or iron. It has also become apparent that heavy metals are toxic (lead, for example) and that those that may be essential such as zinc, copper, or iron may also have a role in several pathological conditions. Most of these manifest as neuropathology, hence this volume. The 15 chapters in this book provide a detailed overview of the defined or projected role of various heavy metals in neurodegenerative disease. A brief introduction is followed by a general discussion of protein conformational changes (focused mainly on cytochrome C) as related to diseases such as Parkinson's. Subsequent chapters cover prion diseases, Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and ALS. The remaining sections deal with specific metals, including iron, copper, zinc, aluminum, etc. Although in some cases the role of the metal in the specific pathology is not fully established, the ideas presented are likely to stimulate additional work. Each chapter has a detailed and useful bibliography allowing ready access to the primary literature. Almost all illustrations are black and white, but this is adequate. This volume will be of interest to investigators in this field and to those wanting additional insight into the role of heavy metals in pathology. The editing is strong and the text accessible.
Assessment:This is a worthwhile contribution that should have a broad audience. Readable text and strong bibliographies are distinct assets.

About the Series... Metal Ions in Life Sciences links coordination chemistry and biochemistry in their widest sense and thus increases our understanding of the relationship between the chemistry of metals and life processes. The series reflects the interdisciplinary nature of Biological Inorganic Chemistry and coordinates the efforts of scientists in fields like biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, coordination chemistry, molecular and structural biology, enzymology, environmental chemistry, physiology, toxicology, biophysics, pharmacy, and medicine. Consequently, the volumes are an essential source for researchers active in these and related fields as well as teachers preparing courses, e.g., in Bioinorganic Chemistry. About this Book... Volume 1, devoted solely to the vital research area concerning the role of metal ions in neurodegenerative diseases, offers in 15 stimulating chapters an authoritative and timely view of this fascinating subject. Written by 41 internationally recognized experts, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions highlights, supported by 130 illustrations, the recent progress made in understanding the role metal ions play in diseases like transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob and related diseases), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Wilson's and Menkes'diseases, as well as in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and others. The interplay between metal ions, catecholamines and the formation of reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress is considered, as is the metalloneurochemistry of zinc and the neurotoxicity of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The need for novel drugs which manipulate metal-centered neuropathology is emphasized. Over the years substantial evidence has accumulated implicating that metal ions play a role in the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders. This is emphasized in Chapter 1, which sets the scene for this volume and provides an organizational frame for metal-related disorders, namely (i) those caused by a defect in metal ion transport or homeostasis, (ii) those caused by toxicological exposure to metals, and (iii) those caused or associated with metalloprotein aggregation and/or misfolding. Indeed, misfolded proteins are implicated in a rapidly growing list of debilitating illnesses like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob diseases. Therefore Chapter 2 deals with protein folding and misfolding; structures, energetics, and dynamics of transient species are considered in detail because their characterization is an essential step in understanding the benign and malignant pathways of protein folding. The three chapters following these general considerations are devoted to metal ion interactions, mainly of copper, with mammalian prion proteins and their fragments, to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob and related diseases) as well as to the amyloid precursor protein (Alzheimer's disease). Chapters 6 and 7 consider in particular the role of iron in Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, respectively, whereas Chapter 8 details the interrelation between copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The malfunctioning of copper transport in Wilson and Menkes diseases, where copper accumulates or is not absorbed, respectively, is dealt with in Chapter 9 The role of metal ions in neurology : an introduction / Dorothea Strozyk and Ashley I. Bush Protein folding, misfolding, and disease / Jennifer C. Lee ... [et al.] Metal ion binding properties of proteins related to neurodegeneration / Henryk Kozlowski ... [et al.] Metallic prions : mining the core of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies / David R. Brown The role of metal ions in the amyloid precursor protein and in Alzheimer's disease / Thomas A. Bayer and Gerd Multhaup The role of iron in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease / Manfred Gerlach ... [et al.] In vivo assessment of iron in Huntington's disease and other age-related neurodegenerative brain diseases / George Bartzokis ... [et al.] Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase and familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis / Lisa J. Whitson and P. John Hart The malfunctioning of copper transport in Wilson and Menkes diseases / Bibudhendra Sarkar Iron and its role in neurodegenerative diseases / Roberta J. Ward and Robert R. Crichton The chemical interplay between catecholamines and metal ions in neurological diseases / Wolfgang Linert ... [et al.] Zinc metalloneurochemistry : physiology, pathology, and probes / Christopher J. Chang and Stephen J. Lippard The role of aluminum in neurotoxic and neurodegenerative processes / Tam S. Kiss, Krisztina Gajda-Schrantz, and Paolo Zatta Neurotoxicity of cadmium, lead, and mercury / Hana R. Pohl, Henry G. Abadin, and John F. Risher Neurodegenerative diseases and metal ions : a concluding overview / Dorothea Strozyk and Ashley I. Bush. Volume 1, devoted solely to the vital research area concerning the role of metal ions in neurodegenerative diseases, offers in 15 stimulating chapters an authoritative and timely view of this fascinating subject. Written by 41 internationally recognized experts, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions highlights, supported by 130 illustrations, the recent progress made in understanding the role metal ions play in diseases like transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (Creutzfeldt-Jakob and related diseases), Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, Wilson's and Menkes' diseases, as well as in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and others. The interplay between metal ions, catecholamines and the formation of reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress is considered, as is the metalloneurochemistry of zinc and the neurotoxicity of aluminum, cadmium, lead, and mercury. The need for novel drugs which manipulate metal-centered neuropathology is emphasized. With more than 2000 references to assist further research, Neurodegenerative Diseases and Metal Ions is an essential resource for scientists and students in many disciplines, including biological inorganic chemistry, molecular biology, enzymology, pharmacology, physiology, medicine, and toxicology Next to metal ions like manganese, iron, copper, and zinc, which are essential but may also be toxic due to the creation of reactive oxygen species resulting in oxidative stress, there are other metal ions which are a priori neurotoxic. Among these is aluminum, and its role in neurodegenerative processes is reviewed in Chapter 13. Cadmium, lead, and mercury are important from the viewpoint of public health because they are released into the environment by human activities; their neurotoxicity is covered in Chapter 14. The terminating Chapter 15 summarizes in a general way the medicinal chemistry of metal-centered brain diseases and indicates other neurological disorders that may involve metal ions like polyneuropathy, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, progressive supranuclear palsy or the restless leg syndrome which are not otherwise covered in the book because knowledge is scarce. It is clear that there is an urgent need for developing novel drugs and classes of drugs that manipulate metal-centered neuropathology more precisely and elegantly than the presently (only partly) available chelation therapies. It is hoped that this volume stimulates research into this direction The special role of iron in neurodegenerative diseases and the chemical interplay between catecholamines and metal ions are in the focus of Chapters 10 and 11, respectively; in this context Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases are considered again, but from a different view, in addition to neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (formerly Hallervorden-Spatz syndrome), neuroferritinopathy, aceruloplasminemia, Friedreich's ataxia, and taupathies. The disruption of the homeostasis of metal ions can have devastating effects as is evident throughout the book. This also holds for the essential zinc; its metalloneurochemistry, i.e., its physiology and pathology as well as probes and sensors to detect it are covered extensively in Chapter 12