Pavel D. Hrdina – författare

Techniques in the neurosciences are evolving rapidly. There are currently very few volumes dedicated to the methodology - ployed by neuroscrentists, and those that are available often seem either out of date or limited in scope. This series is about the methods most widely used by modern-day neuroscientists and 1s written by their colleagues who are practicing experts. Volume 1 will be useful to all neuroscientists since it concerns those procedures used routinely across the widest range of s- drsciplines. Collecting these general techniques together in a single volume stnkes us not only as a service, but will no doubt prove of exceptional utilitarian value as well. Volumes 2 and 3 describe all current procedures for the analyses of ammes and theirmetabolites and of amino acrds, respectively. These collections will clearly be of value to all neuroscientists working in or contemplating research in these fields.Similar reasons exist for Volume 4 on receptor binding techniques since experimental details are provided for many types of ligand-receptor binding, including chapters on general prin- ples, drug discovery and development, and a most useful app- dix on computer programs for Scatchard, nonlinear, and compe- tive displacement analyses. Volume 5 provides procedures for the assessment of enzymes involved in biogenic amine synthesis and catabolism. Volumes in the NEUROMETHODS series will be useful to neurochemists, -pharmacologists, -physrologists, -anatomists, psychopharmacologists, psychiatrists, neurologists, and chemists (organic, analytical, pharmaceutical, medicinal); in fact, everyone involved in the neurosciences, both basic and clinical.

In recent years, it has become clearly recognized that many behavioural disturb­ ances and psychiatric illnesses are intimately associated with alterations in neuroendocrine function. This volume is designed to provide a thorough, up-to­ date review of our current knowledge of the neuroendocrine correlates of altered behaviour in man and experimental animals. Particular emphasis has been focused on the mechanisms which may underlie the coupling of mental functions with endocrine changes and the possible common links in the central regulation of both endocrine and psychic activities. One of the main objectives of this book is to consider both the experimental and clinical approaches in studying the interrelationship between neuroendocrine regulation and altered behaviour, and to assess its importance in the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders. The book has been organized into four major sections which focus on: (i) the role of pituitary hormones in the regulation of CNS function; (ii) the relationship between brain endorphin systems, psychotropic drugs and neuroendocrine regulation; (iii) the importance of neuroendocrine regulation in the pathogenesis of mental disorders; and (iv) biological markers of altered mental function. Each chapter is organized for ease of comprehension as well as for rapid retrieval of progress and essential information concerning the neuroendocrine basis of altered behaviour and psychiatric illnesses. The contributing authors were selected because of their widely recognized expertise in the field.