Elements of Molecular Neurobiology

This edition of the popular text incorporates recent advances in neurobiology enabled by modern molecular biology techniques. Understanding how the brain works from a molecular level allows research to better understand behaviours, cognition, and neuropathologies. Since the appearance six years ago of the second edition, much more has been learned about the molecular biology of development and its relations with early evolution. This "evodevo" (as it has come to be known) framework also has a great deal of bearing on our understanding of neuropathologies as dysfunction of early onset genes can cause neurodegeneration in later life. Advances in our understanding of the genomes and proteomes of a number of organisms also greatly influence our understanding of neurobiology.
* Well known and widely used as a text throughout the UK, good reviews from students and lecturers.
* Good complement to Fundementals of Psychopharmacology by Brian Leonard.
This book will be of particular interest to biomedical undergraduates undertaking a neuroscience unit, neuroscience postgraduates, physiologists, pharmacologists.
It is also a useful basic reference for university libraries.
Maurice Elphick, Queen Mary, University of London
"I do like this book and it is the recommended textbook for my course in Molecular Neuroscience. The major strength of the book is the overall simplicity of the format both in terms of layout and diagrams." Preface.

Preface to the First Edition.

Preface to the Second Edition.

Introductory Orientation.

The Conformation of Informational Macromolecules.

Information Processing in Cells.

Molecular Evolution.

Manipulating Biomolecules.

Genomics.

Biomembranes.

G-protein-coupled Receptors.

Pumps.

Ligand-gated Ion Channels.

Voltage-gated Channels.

Resting Potentials and Cable Conduction.

Sensory Transduction.

The Action Potential.

The Neuron as a Secretory Cell.

Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators.

The Postsynaptic Cell.

Developmental Genetics of the Brain.

Epigenetics of the Brain.

Memory.

Some Pathologies.

Appendix 1. Molecules and Consciousness.

Appendix 2. Units.

Appendix 3. Data.

Appendix 4. Genes.

Appendix 5. Physical Models of Ion Conduction and Gating.

Acronyms and Abbreviations.

Glossary.

Bibliography.

Index of Neurological Disease.

Index.

"…will prove very useful to every individual interested in molecular neurobiology research..." (Journal of Chemical Neuroanatomy, Vol.29, 2005) C. U. M. Smith is the author of Elements of Molecular Neurobiology, 3rd Edition, published by Wiley. From published reviews of the previous editions:

"This is one of those essential books that come along from time to time. It should be read by all biologists interested in the nervous system and especially by neuroscientists and pharmacologists." TIPS

"a timely and enjoyable introduction to molecular neurobiology." TINS

"This book is a triumph of clarity of thought, expression and presentation." BRAIN

"...provides an excellent primer, both to neuroscience students and researchers who want an introduction to molecular biology, and to molecular biologists who want an introduction to neuroscience." QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY

"A well-illustrated, well-written undergraduate text on neurobiology." HUMAN PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY

"...an interesting, well-written text" THES

"Excellent starting point for the synthesis of structural elements." BIOCHIMIE

This thoroughly revised and updated new edition of C.U.M. Smith's 1996 text gives an account of the molecular biology of the brain as it stands at the beginning of the twenty-first century.

While retaining the overall structure of the second edition, this new edition incorporates:

New material on
* genomics

* ion channels

* neural stem cells

* gap junctions

* channelopathies

* cannabinoids

* DNA-chips

* manipulation of K+-channels

* molecular bases of memory

* motor neuron disease (MND)

* Alzheimer's Disease (AD)

* Greater emphasis throughout on the molecular bases of disease

* The most up-to-date neuropharmacology

* Fifty new and/or revised illustrations

* Extensive bibliographies, including relevant web-sites