Ions in the Brain: Normal Function, Seizures, and Stroke

by George G. Somjen

Overview

Ions, their transport across membranes, and their flow through specialized ion channels are central to the understanding of brain function, normal and pathological. The first part of this book deals with the regulation of ions in brain extra- and intracellular fluids. Regulation is effected by the blood-brain barrier, and by membrane ion pumps and other transport mechanisms of neurons and glial cells. Normally adjusted for optimal neural function, ion levels can change and alter the excitability of neurons and influence synaptic transmission in healthy and diseased brains. After an introduction to the electrophysiology of epilepsy, and a description of experimental seizure "models," the second part discusses the roles of the faulty regulation of ions and of the diseases of ion channels in generating epileptic seizures. The mechanisms of action of various anticonvulsant drugs are also considered. The third part is devoted to the phenomenon of spreading depression and its likely role in human diseases. The final chapters of the book deal with the role of ions in the devastation caused by lack of oxygen and by insufficient blood flow to brain tissue, and the reasons for the exceptional vulnerability of certain classes of central neurons in hypoxia and stroke. The book will be of interest to neuroscientists, neurobiologists, neurophysiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, and to their students and trainees.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195151718
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/29/2004
Pages:	504
Product dimensions:	9.08(w) x 6.80(h) x 1.18(d)

About the Author

Duke University Medical Center

Table of Contents

PART I. IONS AND WATER IN THE BRAIN1. The blood-brain barrier2. The regulation of brain ions3. Osmotic stress and the brain4. The influence of ion concentrations on neuron functionPART II. CEREBRAL SEIZURES5. A primer of epileptiform seizures6. Experimental seizures7. Electrophysiology of seizures8. Ions and seizures9. Solving seizures by simulations10. Seizures, channels, genes11. Mechanisms of action of antiepileptic drugsPART III. SPREADING DEPRESSION OF LEAO12. Introduction to Spreading Depression. Extracellular electric signs13. Ion fluxes during Spreading Depression14. Membrane potential and input resistance during Spreading Depression15. The mechanism of Spreading Depression16. Solving the puzzle of Spreading Depression by computer simulationPART IV. PATHOLOGICAL BIOPHYSICS OF CEREBRAL HYPOXIA AND STROKE17. Hypoxia, asphyxia and ischemia18. The mechanism of early, reversible hypoxic synaptic failure19. Irreversible hypoxic (ischemic) neuron injury

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Celso Agner, MD, MS, MSc (Michigan Neurology Partners)
Description: The basic science of neurological diseases now involves the understanding of ionic transport mechanisms, in particular the inflow of metabolically important components to the cell. An update on the topic is, therefore, necessary.
Purpose: The purpose of this book is to address different aspects of ions and their influence on the metabolism of neurons. Thee are worthy objectives for scientists involved in the study of neuronal functions in normal and diseased situations.
Audience: The audience is mostly composed of neuroscientists interested in the study of the ionic influence on the metabolism of the brain.
Features: In 19 chapters and four sections, this book addresses the different forms of interaction between ions and the neuron in order to reproduce specific behaviors in the laboratory. In particular, the book departs from the handling of ions by the blood-brain barrier to the interaction of the same ions with elements of the nervous system that will determine specific characteristic neurological behaviors. This is a well illustrated and referenced book that should remain as an integral component of many neuroscience libraries.
Assessment: This is a good acquisition for neuroscience and neurology libraries, in particular in academic departments, where the interest in the correlation between ions and the brain play a significant role in the development of new treatment strategies or management reasoning.

Doody's Review Service

". . . a major contribution to our current knowledge of ions physiological and pathological states of the brain...well written, with many informative subheadings, graphs and figures. It will be of interest to neuroscientists, neurobiologists, clinicians, and their trainees..."—European Journal of Neurology

"Dr. Somjen has succeeded in producing a text that spans the divide between laboratory neurophysiology and clinical experience . . . Well written and readable . . . an excellent resource."—Archives of Neurology

"An excellent overview of the different types of interactions involving ions in the brain . . . highly recommended to the researcher or clinician . . ." —Clinical Neurophysiology

". . . an excellent book which is a must read for all interested in the fields covered. While not claiming to tell us how the brain works, Somjen sticks with the facts and describes in exquisite detail what happens when the brain malfunctions . . . A worthy testament to an exemplary scientific career."—Angus Brown in Physiology News

"This book quite extensively covers the biophysical mechanisms underlying the regulation of ion concentrations, the various ionic fluxes, and their impact on various physiological mechanisms and pathological conditions."—Clinical Neurophysiology

"The present book, written by a well-known Professor Emeritus of Physiology, a cell biologist and neurobiologist from the Duke University Medical Center, is a major contribution to our current knowledge of ions in physiological and pathological states of the brain."—European Journal of Neurology

"The book is well-written, with many informative sub-headings, graphs, and figures. It will be of interest to neuroscientists, neurobiologists, neurophysiologists, clinicians, and their trainees who are engaged in brain ions, their transport, regulation and function in healthy and disease conditions."—European Journal of Neurology

"Understanding pathological situations such as seizures, edema, hypoxia, ischemia, and even channelopathies, does require a detailed understanding of the underlying ionic process. So this book should be highly recommended to the researcher or clinician who wants to master the details of the basic physiological mechanisms underlying these pathologies."—Clinical Neurophysiology

"As the book is the work of a sole author it has a pleasing consistency of style that is lacking in the usual edited chapter format."—Angus Brown

"This is an excellent book, which is a must read for all interested in the fields covered. Somjen sticks with the facts and describes in exquisite detail what happens when the brain malfunctions, which is surely how successful strategies for combating devastating neurological conditions will ultimately be devised. A worthy testament to an exemplary scientific career."—Angus Brown

"Ions in the Brain offers an excellent resource for those interested in a detailed review of the electrophysiology of commonly encountered clinical phenomena."—Arch Neurol

"...Stylishly speaking I read your book as if they were thrillers- I [couldn't] let them out of the hand before the end, and then I'm sorry it's over...I rarely witnessed so much fairplay with respect to others work and so much modesty towards its own. This comes accompanied by an encyclopedic culture of the literature that makes your writings true handbooks and even more so for uncultivated people like me who think that neuroscience started when they opened their eyes. I like very much the balance between opinions, known to create controversy nowadays, but this is far from emerging from your writing. And finally, your book made me happy because I had the feelings of learning without effort."—Prof. Dr. Florin Amzica, Centre de recherche Robert-Giffard, Quebec

From the Publisher

3 Stars from Doody