Fever and Antipyresis: The Role of the Nervous System

by Keith E. Cooper

Overview

This book provides a detailed overview of the function of the central nervous system (CNS) in fever and its role in combating fever (antipyresis). The volume opens with an introductory account of fever, its physiology and adaptive role, and explains the mechanisms of thermoregulation. It then provides information about bacterial pyrogens, "endogenous" pyrogenic cytokines, body temperature regulation and survival value of fever and its ubiquity, in order to enable readers to follow the CNS involvement. Finally, the author challenges some well established dogmas in this area and sets an agenda for future research. The book will help graduate students and researchers in neuroscience and other disciplines to understand the impact of their studies in the overall processes of fever. It will also be of benefit to pharmacologists studying antipyretics and the CNS function of these drugs. Academic clinicians will find this a more comprehensive overview of fever than other available texts.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780521419246
Publisher:	Cambridge University Press
Publication date:	05/18/1995
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.29(h) x 0.59(d)

Table of Contents

Preface; 1. Fever – definition, usefulness, ubiquity; 2. Thermoregulation – an outline; 3. The nature of pyrogens, their origins and mode of release; 4. The loci of action of endogenous mediators of fever; 5. Beyond the loci of action of circulating pyrogens: mediators and mechanisms; 6. The role of the cerebral cortex, the limbic system, peripheral nervous system and spinal cord, and induced changes in intracranial pressure; 7. Antipyresis; 8. Febrile convulsions in children and a possible role for vasopressin; 9. A synthesis, predictions and speculation from my armchair; Appendix 1: Anatomical considerations; References; Index.

Editorial Reviews

"Concise and comprehensive....Anyone who has ever pondered the topic of fever will find this book intriguing and informative. In this regard, the work has wide appeal. Graduate students in physiology—particularly if their area of research is fever, thermoregulation, or the hypothalamus—will consider this publication a gem." William C. Halliday, Annals RCPSC

"This careful work encompasses over 30 years of work dedicated to the topic. It is a judicious account of a facet of medicine and neurology that interfaces with us all on both a personal and professional level." John Tibbles, Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences

"...this excellent and useful volume is rounded off with the author's synthesis of the material presented and what it means, along with his own provocative and stimulating speculations on where future research in this exciting field might lead." John T. Stitt, The Quarterly Review of Biology

From the Publisher

This book provides the readers a clear and complete view of the mechanisms of fever generation, antipyresis, and the role of the nervous system in both processes. The purpose is to present a synopsis of new and old concepts concerning many general aspects of fever, thermoregulation, antipyresis with a special focus on the role of the nervous system in these processes. The fast development of the sciences related to the brain function as well as a better understanding of the mechanisms linked to thermogenesis have changed the way healthcare professionals must look at fever nowadays. In this book, the authors meet their objectives, giving an update and complete review of important aspects related to the regulation of the temperature. Fever and antipyresis are topics with which healthcare professionals of all kinds have to deal very often. Thus, this book will be very useful to medical students, practitioners, researchers and all other professionals interested in a general complete overview as well as a better understanding of these phenomena. This book is composed of nine chapters and one appendix that considers the anatomical aspects of thermogenesis. The chapters cover various aspects of fever, thermogenesis, antipyresis, exogenous pyrogens, endogenous pyrogens, the concept of setpoint, the roles of the hypothalamus, limbic system, cerebral cortex in relation to the thermic regulation of the body and various other topics related to this area. This book will be of great interest to all professionals and students interested in learning more about fever. It gives an updated overview of the mechanisms of thermic regulation and some of its imbalances, with a large focus on the role of thenervous system in these processes.

Clement Hamani

A text for graduate students, researchers, pharmacologists, and academic clinicians, presenting a synopsis of older and more recent information on the activity of the central and peripheral nervous systems in the responses of organisms to infection and pyrogens. It opens with an introductory account of fever, its physiology, and its adaptive role, and explains the mechanisms of thermoregulation. Sufficient information is given about bacterial pyrogens, "endogenous" pyrogenic cytokines, body temperature regulation, and survival value of fever to enable readers to follow the CNS involvement. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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