Stress, Neuropeptides, and systemic disease

Stress, Neuropeptides, and systemic disease PDF

Author: James McCubbin

Publisher: Academic Press

Published: 2012-12-02

Total Pages: 502

ISBN-13: 032314800X

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Stress, Neuropeptides, and Systemic Disease traces the development of the neuropeptide hypothesis from its anatomical substrate to its functional correlates in animal and pre-clinical human models of stress-induced disease. The book contains articles that discuss the different aspects and findings on the study of neuropeptides such as the histochemical localization of peptide-containing cells and peptidergic receptors; the current concepts in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis regulation; neuropeptides involved in stress and their distribution in the mammalian central nervous system; and neuropeptide-mediated regulation of the neuroendocrine and autonomic responses to stress. The methods of measuring neuropeptides and their metabolism; stress responses and the pathogenesis of arthritis; brain peptides and gastrointestinal transit; and diminished opioid inhibition of blood pressure and pituitary function in hypertension development are presented as well. Physicians, neurobiologists, pharmacologists, and biological scientists will find the book very interesting.

Magnesium in the Central Nervous System

Magnesium in the Central Nervous System PDF

Author: Robert Vink

Publisher: University of Adelaide Press

Published: 2011

Total Pages: 354

ISBN-13: 0987073052

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The brain is the most complex organ in our body. Indeed, it is perhaps the most complex structure we have ever encountered in nature. Both structurally and functionally, there are many peculiarities that differentiate the brain from all other organs. The brain is our connection to the world around us and by governing nervous system and higher function, any disturbance induces severe neurological and psychiatric disorders that can have a devastating effect on quality of life. Our understanding of the physiology and biochemistry of the brain has improved dramatically in the last two decades. In particular, the critical role of cations, including magnesium, has become evident, even if incompletely understood at a mechanistic level. The exact role and regulation of magnesium, in particular, remains elusive, largely because intracellular levels are so difficult to routinely quantify. Nonetheless, the importance of magnesium to normal central nervous system activity is self-evident given the complicated homeostatic mechanisms that maintain the concentration of this cation within strict limits essential for normal physiology and metabolism. There is also considerable accumulating evidence to suggest alterations to some brain functions in both normal and pathological conditions may be linked to alterations in local magnesium concentration. This book, containing chapters written by some of the foremost experts in the field of magnesium research, brings together the latest in experimental and clinical magnesium research as it relates to the central nervous system. It offers a complete and updated view of magnesiums involvement in central nervous system function and in so doing, brings together two main pillars of contemporary neuroscience research, namely providing an explanation for the molecular mechanisms involved in brain function, and emphasizing the connections between the molecular changes and behavior. It is the untiring efforts of those magnesium researchers who have dedicated their lives to unraveling the mysteries of magnesiums role in biological systems that has inspired the collation of this volume of work.

Stress Challenges and Immunity in Space

Stress Challenges and Immunity in Space PDF

Author: Alexander Choukèr

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-11-27

Total Pages: 756

ISBN-13: 3030169960

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This book explains how stress – either psychological or physical – can activate and/or paralyse human innate or adaptive immunity. Adequate immunity is crucial for maintaining health, both on Earth and in space. During space flight, human physiology is specifically challenged by complex environmental stressors, which are most pronounced during lunar or interplanetary missions. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach, the book identifies the impact of these stressors – the space exposome – on immunity as a result of (dys-)functions of specific cells, organs and organ networks. These conditions (e.g. gravitation changes, radiation, isolation/confinement) affect immunity, but at the same time provide insights that may help to prevent, diagnose and address immune-related health alterations. Written by experts from academia, space agencies and industry, the book is a valuable resource for professionals, researchers and students in the field of medicine, biology and technology. The chapters “The Impact of Everyday Stressors on the Immune System and Health”, “Stress and Radiation Responsiveness” and “Assessment of Radiosensitivity and Biomonitoring of Exposure to Space adiation” are available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder PDF

Author: J. Douglas Bremner

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2016-04-18

Total Pages: 465

ISBN-13: 111835611X

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Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: From Neurobiology to Treatment presents a comprehensive look at this key neuropsychiatric disorder. The text examines the neurobiological basis of post-traumatic stress and how our understanding of the basic elements of the disease have informed and been translated into new and existing treatment options. The book begins with a section on animal models in posttraumatic stress disorder research, which has served as the basis of much of our neurobiological information. Chapters then delve into applications of the clinical neuroscience of posttraumatic stress disorder. The final part of the books explores treatments and how our basic and clinical research is now being converted into treatment. Taking a unique basic science to translational intervention approach, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: From Neurobiology to Treatment is an invaluable resource for researchers, students and clinicians dealing with this complex disorder.

Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases

Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases PDF

Author: Josefine Hirschfeld

Publisher: Quintessenz Verlag

Published: 2021-04-19

Total Pages: 502

ISBN-13: 3868675574

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The association between periodontitis and systemic diseases has become a hot topic in recent years. This comprehensive book reviews the clinical evidence and biological plausibility of the many systemic diseases that have been linked to periodontitis. Edited by Dr Josefine Hirschfeld and Prof Iain L.C. Chapple, experts in each field discuss the mechanisms at work, citing the available key literature and clearly summarising current knowledge and understanding of the associations between periodontitis and diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, respiratory diseases, pregnancy and fertility, malignancy, neurodegenerative diseases, stress and depression, and autoimmunity. Each chapter critically appraises the existing evidence, providing comprehensive, contemporary and well-considered insights into the clinical evidence and biological plausibility of each condition, as well as the limitations of existing studies and how these can be overcome in the future. Periodontitis and Systemic Diseases: Clinical Evidence and Biological Plausibility is an indispensable reference for both clinicians and researchers.

Affective Neuroscience

Affective Neuroscience PDF

Author: Jaak Panksepp

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2004-09-30

Total Pages: 481

ISBN-13: 0199884358

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Some investigators have argued that emotions, especially animal emotions, are illusory concepts outside the realm of scientific inquiry. However, with advances in neurobiology and neuroscience, researchers are demonstrating that this position is wrong as they move closer to a lasting understanding of the biology and psychology of emotion. In Affective Neuroscience, Jaak Panksepp provides the most up-to-date information about the brain-operating systems that organize the fundamental emotional tendencies of all mammals. Presenting complex material in a readable manner, the book offers a comprehensive summary of the fundamental neural sources of human and animal feelings, as well as a conceptual framework for studying emotional systems of the brain. Panksepp approaches emotions from the perspective of basic emotion theory but does not fail to address the complex issues raised by constructionist approaches. These issues include relations to human consciousness and the psychiatric implications of this knowledge. The book includes chapters on sleep and arousal, pleasure and fear systems, the sources of rage and anger, and the neural control of sexuality, as well as the more subtle emotions related to maternal care, social loss, and playfulness. Representing a synthetic integration of vast amounts of neurobehavioral knowledge, including relevant neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and neurochemistry, this book will be one of the most important contributions to understanding the biology of emotions since Darwins The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals

Neuroendocrine-immune Interactions

Neuroendocrine-immune Interactions PDF

Author: Rolf C. Gaillard

Publisher: Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers

Published: 2002

Total Pages: 144

ISBN-13: 3805572824

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Interactions between the immune, endocrine and nervous systems seldom appear as main issues in the neurosciences and in immunology. So far this was most likely due to the need to focus on the molecular and cellular bases of single neural, endocrine and immune processes. But hormones, neurotransmitters and neuropeptides can also influence more subtle mechanisms underlying immune cell activity. The contents of this volume aim at listing some aspects which show that not only the bases for neuroendocrine control of more refined mechanisms related to the organization and functioning of the immune systems to exist, but also that the immune system can actively communicate with neuroendocrine structures. The evidence is divided into three categories: - Anatomical, cellular and molecular bases for the exchange of information between immune, endocrine and neural cells, - reciprocal effects between immune and neuroendocrine mechanisms, and - immune-neuroendocrine regulatory circuits. Immunologically triggered neuroendocrine responses can be either beneficial or deleterious for the host. A systematic approach would imply the simultaneous evaluation of neuroendocrine and immune parameters and thus provide the basis for therapeutic interventions based on antagonizing or blocking undesirable effects.

CANCEROUS TUMOR LIFE: BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS

CANCEROUS TUMOR LIFE: BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL ASPECTS PDF

Author: MIROSŁAW KOZŁOWSKI

Publisher: SULTAN TARLACI

Published: 2023-06-18

Total Pages: 181

ISBN-13:

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What is Cancer? In their seminal paper, Davies and Lineweaver (2011) developed a new theory of cancerous tumors. Until now, most research has focused on cancer as a human disease, but tumors are also widespread among animals and plants, suggesting that they have deep evolutionary roots. Indeed, cancer is such a formidable adversary because it is a fundamental part of the story of life itself. About 600 million years ago, there appeared a riot of modern-looking metazoan (the multi-celled creatures that make up the bulk of the animal kingdom), with many specialized cell types and organisms. But this explosion did not happen in a vacuum; hundreds of millions of years before, there were precursors: clumps of semi-organized cells forming robust tumor-like forms. As Davies and Lineweaver emphasized, cancer-like Aging must be accepted as a part of life. In this monograph, the mutual interactions between cancer and the host body are studied. The point of view that these interactions are mediated by human consciousness is presented. The monograph consists of six chapters. Chapter 1, “Overview of the research,” presents the contemporary status of the relationship between cancer and consciousness. Chapter 2, “Quantum mechanics and life,” explains how quantum mechanics helps in understanding life phenomena, including cancer. Chapter 3, “Stress and cancer life,” is devoted to the presentation of the possible root of cancer, namely stress, which dominates human life. Although the term 'cancer' refers to undisciplined and uncontrollable cellular growth, a basal cell carcinoma of the skin is quite different from adenocarcinoma of the lung, the prostate, the breast, or even of brain tumors, lymphomas, leukaemias and other malignancies. These all differ markedly with respect to growth rates, metastatic tendencies, and sensitivity to neuroendocrine or immune system influences, particularly those that might be modulated by stress. There are critical concerns in determining exactly how long a cancer has been present. If a lump in the breast is found to be malignant, when did the cancer start? Was it there a month, six months, or years before clinical detection? Such information would be crucial in establishing any temporal relationship with antecedent. The remaining three chapters have a more technical character, and are devoted to the presentation of new results from the investigation of the nature of cancer. Chapter 4, “The electrical properties of cancer tumor cells,” presents results concerning the physical properties of tumor cells. Chapter 5, “Classical description of tumor life: Boltzmann equation for tumor cancer evolution,” presents the approach that treats cancer as a physical object. The new Boltzmann transport equation for tumor cell movement in the host body is formulated and solved. In this way, light is shed and inroads are made into answering the questions posed in Chapter 3 and beyond. Chapter 6, “Quantum mechanics and cancer,” presents the quantum theory of brain waves and their possible influence on cancer proliferation. Electroencephalogram (EEG) waves may reflect more than the noise of the machinery of the brain; they may possibly represent signals being sent to other parts of the body. Since it is possible to move a cursor on a computer screen solely through deep concentration, it does not seem unreasonable to postulate that mental activities could also affect activities in the body that are sensitive to the chemical/molecular concept of communication at a physical/atomic model. Such a paradigm might explain not only regression or spontaneous remission of cancer in patients with a strong level of natural determination, but also the placebo effect, faith healing, ‘therapeutic touch,’ psychokinesis, telepathy, and other widely acknowledged but poorly understood concepts. How can one explain the numerous well-documented cases of spontaneous remission of cancer? Careful studies of such patients suggest that a firm faith and a strong positive belief system are the most common themes. There are numerous reports of cancer regression through the use of various stress-reducing or mind-altering techniques, including intense meditation, visual imagery, and hypnosis. Yet, like spontaneous remission, all of these cures are extremely rare, and the benefits are entirely unpredictable in any given patient. Here again, having a strong faith in something would provide a sense of control and might offer the best explanation. But how are the salutary rewards of faith healing, ‘therapeutic touch,’ and the placebo effect mediated? Is there such a thing as psychic healing? How can one explain the well-documented benefits associated with the development of strong social support in patients with cancer and other illnesses? Conversely, what are the mechanisms involved in the numerous reports of reactivation of dormant cancer following an extremely stressful event, particularly sudden loss? No consistent immune, neuroendocrine, or central nervous system (CNS) changes have been demonstrated in connection with such effects. Could the answer lie in some latent energy force? Adey (1992) reported that certain frequency bands between 15 and 60 Hz have been found to alter cell protein synthesis, mRNA functions, immune responses, and intercellular communication. Is it possible to learn how to harness this energy force?

Sound Mind, Sound Body

Sound Mind, Sound Body PDF

Author: Kenneth R. Pelletier

Publisher: Simon and Schuster

Published: 1995-06

Total Pages: 328

ISBN-13: 0684802511

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In this dramatic new approach to understanding personal health, Dr. Pelletier shows how lifelong good health is far more dependent on a positive, purposeful life orientation than on aerobic workouts and rigid low-fat diets. Sound Mind, Sound Body offers practical, effective techniques to help anyone achieve physical, mental, and emotional equilibrium and enjoy a lifetime of optimal health.