Preface

Neurodegenerative disorders are some of the overwhelming challenges modern medicine is facing. To find efficacious treatments for these disorders, we still need to advance our understanding of the various events and cellular processes that lead to neurodegeneration. These include pathological protein aggregation and factors that cause the death of neuronal cells.

Volume 8 of our book series Frontiers in Clinical Drug Research - CNS and Neurological Disorders features a set of exciting and remarkable new research projects presented by an emerging and expert panel of researchers. They have reviewed innovative research studies that could lead to a richer interpretation of the essentials needed to understand the nerve cell functions and/or failures.

This book presents cutting-edge, and in-depth investigations that outline neurodegeneration at the cellular level. It discusses new trends in neurodegenerative research aimed to slow down the progression of neurological ailments, offering hope to people with these debilitating and at times incurable illness. Thus chapter 1 covers the current knowledge and perspectives surrounding the emerging innovative therapies of spinal muscular atrophy, as well as pin-pointing the molecules that offer potential new treatments for this debilitating condition. Chapter 2 highlights the obesity induced by the usage of neurological drugs such as antiepileptic, antipsychotic, and antidepressant drugs. Chapter 3 discusses the development of new therapeutic targets based on the understanding of the molecular mechanisms that lead to infectious, functional, structural, and degenerative disorders of the nervous system. Chapter 4 briefly reviews the screening models for neuroleptic drug-induced hyperprolactinemia. The last chapter 5 evaluates the glioma imaging modalities and the novel agents that are being implicated to image glioma.

In short, this book presents a scholarly collection of research articles from the budding as well as established scientists in the field. It is hoped that the presentations will lead to a better understanding by the neuroscience community of the underlying mechanisms of brain disorders, leading to more effective treatments.

We are grateful for the timely efforts made by the editorial personnel, especially Mr. Mahmood Alam (Director Publications), and Mrs. Salma Sarfaraz (Senior Manager Publications) at Bentham Science Publishers.