Foreword

Investigations in the field of basic and clinical neurodegeneration and neuroprotection are of vital importance to an understanding of human disease. At present, great efforts are being made to try to elucidate the physiopathology of neurogenic lesions, and also to establish the fine molecular mechanisms associated with all neurological syndromes. The present collection of papers by well known and eminent international scientists working on defects of the higher brain function was gathered during an international manifestation in Sapporo, Japan. A manuscript of nearly 900 pages overall was assembled to honour our distinguished friend, and teacher, Professor Masaru Minami, along with the participation of our master, Professor Hideya Saito. These two scientists of high distinction are leaders in neuropharmacology and neuroscience in Japan and have contributed greatly to an understanding of mechanisms of cerebral congestion, neurotoxicity of emesis, essential hypertension and brain aging. They are not only outstanding in their professional competency of neuroscience but are also very human and humble educators to open and promote widely a true international cooperation. The entire book covers most of the basic, clinical and molecular aspects of neuronal regulation. Neuroprotection, still a field in embryonic stage, has been greatly enriched by several contributions defining future active molecules to cure or stop neurodegeneration. Such a developmental neuropharmacology at present is essential to cure diseases such as Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's disease and other autoimmune neuropathologies. Experimental models of human neuropathology and cerebral congestion and their use to test the efficacy of new neurotropic factors have been widely studied in several investigations reported in this book. The possible impact of protein folding on the onset of conformational neuropathies along with the important role of amino acid propensity embedded in a context of specific usage of synonymous codons; genetic code degeneracy and folding have been correlated. Antidepressant research in the era of functional genomics calling a farewell to the monoamine hypothesis has also been introduced. Studies defining pineal gland functionality in connection to melatonin and the immune system are also presented. Beyond the classical neuropharmacological approach to different types of receptor regulation in neuroregulation, new approaches such as biofeedback training and clinical settings have also been included.