Contents

#### **Preface XI**


Chapter 6 **Neurochemical Communication: The Case of Endocannabinoids 179** Thomas Heinbockel


Preface

Neurochemistry is a flourishing academic field that contributes to our understanding of mo‐ lecular, cellular and medical neurobiology. As a scientific discipline, neurochemistry studies the role of chemicals that build the nervous system, explores the function of neurons and glial cells in health and disease, discovers aspects of cell metabolism and neurotransmission, and reveals how degenerative processes are at work in the nervous system. Accordingly, this book contains chapters from a variety of topics that fall into the following broad sec‐ tions: I. Neural Membranes and Intracellular Signaling, II. Neural Processing and Intercellu‐ lar Signaling, III. Growth, Development and Differentiation, and IV. Neurodegenerative Diseases. The book presents comprehensive reviews in these different areas written by ex‐ perts in their respective fields. Neurodegeneration and neuronal diseases are featured prom‐ inently and are a recurring theme throughout most chapters. This book will be a most valuable resource for neurochemists and other scientists alike. In addition, it will contribute to the training of current and future neurochemists and, hopefully, will lead us on the path

Section One of the book, I. Neural Membranes and Intracellular Signaling, starts with a dis‐ cussion of the blood brain barrier by Dalvi et al. (chapter 1: 'The Blood Brain Barrier: Regula‐ tion of Fatty acid and Drug Transport') to introduce the reader to chemicals that enter the brain. The chapter has a strong focus on tight junctions. Dalvi et al. describe the various tight junction proteins and transport systems and provide a solid account of the role of fatty

In chapter 2 ('TRP Channels in Neuronal and Glial Signal Transduction'), Harteneck and Leuner provide a comprehensive review of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels and their relation to various neurological and psychiatric diseases. Many TRP channels are ex‐ pressed in the brain and contribute to neuronal and glial functions. The authors offer de‐ tailed accounts of the many channel variants and their functional roles in CNS physiology. In chapter 3 ('Cytosolic Calcium Homeostasis in Neurons: Control Systems, Modulation by Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species, and Space and Time Fluctuations'), Gutierrez-Meri‐ no et al. review the critical role of calcium in neuronal activity and function of the nervous systems. The authors discuss cellular oxidative stress and metabolic deregulations in the process of neuronal death. Calcium transport systems control cytosolic calcium homeostasis within nanodomains of the neuronal plasma membrane associated with lipid rafts. The colocalization of ROS/RNS enzyme sources within nanodomains is of particular relevance for

In chapter 4, Section Two, II. Neural Processing and Intercellular Signaling, Tsetlin and Ka‐ sheverov ('Peptide and Protein Neurotoxin Toolbox in Research on Nicotinic Acetylcholine

to curing some of the biggest challenges in human health.

acids in blood brain barrier permeability.

neurodegenerative insults and diseases.

#### **Section 3 Growth, Development and Differentiation 223**

Chapter 8 **Participation of Neurochemical Signaling in Adult Neurogenesis and Differentiation 225** E.V. Pushchina, A.A. Varaksin and D.K. Obukhov

Chapter 9 **Physiological Role of Amyloid Beta in Neural Cells: The Cellular Trophic Activity 257** M. del C. Cárdenas-Aguayo, M. del C. Silva-Lucero, M. Cortes-Ortiz, B. Jiménez-Ramos, L. Gómez-Virgilio, G. Ramírez-Rodríguez, E. Vera-Arroyo, R. Fiorentino-Pérez, U. García, J. Luna-Muñoz and M.A. Meraz-Ríos

