Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord / Edition 1

by Timothy C. Cope

Overview

Traumatic injuries of the spinal cord continue to be the most common cause of permanent paralysis in young adults in the United States. New information has emerged on the response of spinal neurons to injury of either the spinal cord or peripheral nerves demonstrating that dendrites of injured motoneurons take on characteristics of axons. These and other new developments have helped to promote an exciting new era in the study of spinal cord neurobiology.

Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord provides a description of the recent conceptual and technical advances in the field. It provides a description of the new experimental tools available for investigating the neuronal properties that allow populations of spinal cord neurons to control muscles responsible for limb movements and posture. It covers topics ranging from genetics to kinematics and examines cells, tissues, or whole animals in species ranging from fish to humans that are normal, injured, or diseased.

By integrating data derived from many new approaches, you'll learn about how spinal cord circuits operate under a variety conditions and about new and exciting inroads being made in motor neurobiology of the spinal cord. Motor Neurobiology of the Spinal Cord elucidates concepts and principles relevant to function and structure throughout the nervous system and presents information about changes induced by injury and disease.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780849300066
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/26/2001
Series:	Frontiers in Neuroscience
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	360
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Timothy C. Cope is a professor of physiology and a member of the Neuroscience Program at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia, where he lives with his wife, Meredith and children Russ, Audrey, and Cassie. He earned B.S. and M.S. degrees from the University of California at Los Angeles and a Ph.D. in physiology from Duke University in 1980. Following postdoctoral studies at the University of Washington and the University of California at Los Angeles from 1980–1983, he held faculty positions at the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical School and at Hahnemann University.

Table of Contents

Spinal Motoneurons: Synaptic Inputs and Receptor Organizations. 5-HT Receptors and the Neuromodulatory Control of Spinal Cord Function. Advances in Measuring Active Dendrite Currents in Spinal Motoneurons in vivo. Optical and Genetic Approaches Toward Understanding Spinal Circuits. Investigating the Synaptic Control of Human Motoneurons: New Techniques, Analyses, and Insights from Animal Models. The Use of Correlational Methods to Investigate the Organization of Spinal Networks for Pattern Generation. Sensory-Motor Experience During the Development of Motility in Chick Embryos. Transformation of Descending Commands into Muscle Activity by Spinal Interneurons in Behaving Primates. Muscle Afferent Feedback During Human Walking. Canine Motor Neuron Disease: A View from the Motor Unit. Structural Plasticity of Motoneuron Dendrites Caused by Axotomy. How Does Nerve Injury Strengthen La-Motoneuron Synapses? The Organization of Distributed Proprioceptive Feedback in the Chronic Spinal Cat.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Celso Agner, MD, MS, MSc (Michigan Neurology Partners)
Description: This is an update on the recent advances in the understanding of the biology of the motor spinal cord..
Purpose: The purpose is to address the recent developments in molecular biology and neurochemistry of the spinal cord and the correlation of these advances with the clinical conditions seen in everyday practice. This is an important topic, due to the seriousness of most spinal cord conditions, such as spinal cord compression, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and polyomyelitis that affect the motor spinal cord in different ways. The authors clearly meet their objectives.
Audience: The scope of the book suggests a predominantly basic neuroscientist audience. The well-recognized and credible authors achieve their objective with the discussion of the recent developments in the understanding of motor spinal cord biology. The information is conveyed well.
Features: Thirty-one authors contribute 13 chapters in this book. The main focus is on the mechanisms leading to one's movement. The most current genetic and molecular understandings are discussed in detail. The function of different kinds of neurochemicals in the spinal cord is related to the degree of local control of corticospinal influences. The strongest aspect of this book is the broad neuroscientific approach. On the other hand, for such an interesting topic, it is difficult to directly impact the most important audience, the patient. Further research is still necessary, so new drugs can be developed to control spasticity, degenerative disorders of the spinal cord, and demyelinating conditions that continue to impair millions of individuals. The decrease in the active workforce is a reality and cure, control, or better management of these conditions is a must.
Assessment: This is a very good book, affordable, well-written, produced, and printed. The final destination is the basic neuroscience laboratory involved on the study of the motor spinal cord.

Doody's Review Service

"…an update on the recent advances of the biology of the motor spinal cord…The authors clearly meet their objectives…a very good book…well-written…3 stars."
- Celso Agner, MSc, MD, Albany Medical Center, Doody's Notes

From the Publisher

3 Stars from Doody