The Chemistry of Behavior : A Molecular Approach to Neuronal Plasticity

This book discusses a particular aspect of brain function, that of storage and retrieval of memory of past experience, in terms of neuronal plasticity. In discussing this aspect of brain functions, however, it discusses brain mecha­ nisms in their wider sense as well. Clearly, the central nervous system is a highly interconnected system from all points of view, and it would not be possible to understand function in terms of only a single event or only a sin­ gle neurotransmitter. This is true for any biochemical activity that accompanies neuronal functional activity and accompanies behavior. The authors have commendably recognized this complexity, and recognize still more the need to present information in a compact and uniform manner in spite of the tremendous expansion of our knowledge in recent years. It is a somewhat easier task to gather a set of authors and record their results for a multiauthor symposium, but it is a most admirable endeavor for two authors to summarize a field that encompasses subjects such as transmission barri­ ers, lipids, proteins, energy, hormones, to name a few that this book covers so well in a compact manner, and in such depth as well. Metabolism and func­ tion cannot really be understood without understanding structural factors, changes in membrane properties, and changes in metabolism.

Section I The Molecular Basis Of Neuronal Activity.- 1The Neuronal Membrane.- Excitable Membranes.- Membrane “Pumps”.- Ionic Channels.- The Sodium Channel.- The Potassium Channel.- The Calcium Channel.- 2 Membrane Lipids.- Fatty Acids in the Brain.- Glycerophosphatides in the Brain.- Sphingolipids in the Brain.- Sphingomyelins.- Glycosphingolipids.- Cerebrosides.- Sulfatides.- Gangliosides.- Isoprenoid Lipids.- Lipofuscin.- Myelin.- 3 The Nerve Impulse.- 4 Synaptic Transmission.- Electrotonic Communication between Neurons.- The Structure of Chemical Synapses.- Function of the Synapse.- Neurotransmitters.- Neurotransmitter Receptors.- Synaptosomal Metabolism.- 5 The Blood-Brain Barrier and Extracellular Fluid.- The Blood-Brain Barrier.- Brain Extracellular Space.- The Cerebrospinal Fluid.- Activity of Neuroglia.- 6 Synaptic Plasticity.- Synaptic Plasticity and Learning.- Complex Nature of Synaptic Plasticity.- 7 Morphological Changes Associated with Brain Plasticity.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section II The Energy Supply to the Neurons.- 8 Glucose and Energy Metabolism in the Brain.- Transport and Consumption of Glucose.- Brain Glycogen.- Pathways of Glucose Metabolism in the Brain.- Pentose Phosphate Cycle.- Energy Metabolism in Brain Tissue.- Brain Oxygen Consumption.- Mitochondria.- 9 Blood Flow and Temperature of the Brain.- Brain Temperature.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section III Proteins in the Brain: Metabolism and Function.- 10 Purine and Pyrimidine Bases in the Brain.- 11 Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Its Role in the Brain.- Neuronal DNA Content.- DNA Replication.- Functional Importance of Changes in DNA.- 12 Ribonucleic Acids in the Brain.- RNA Synthesis.- Gene Expression in Neurons.- Brain RNA.- 13 Brain Amino Acids.- Amino Acid Transport.- Amino Acid Synthesis.- Ammonia in the Brain.- 14 Functional Aspects of Protein Synthesis in the Brain.- Synthesis of Proteins.- Protein Synthesis in the Brain.- Protein Modification.- Turnover of Brain Proteins.- Some Specific Brain Proteins.- Synaptic Proteins.- Synaptic Glycoproteins.- Glycosaminoglycans.- Synaptic Phosphoproteins.- Protein Synthesis and Brain Function.- Antibiotics and Protein Synthesis.- 15 Second Messenger Systems in the Brain.- Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate.- Phosphorylation of Nuclear Proteins.- Phosphorylation of Synaptic Proteins.- Other Functions of Cyclic AMP.- Functional Aspects of cAMP Metabolism.- Cyclic Guanosine Monophosphate.- Calcium as a Second Messenger.- 16 Transport of Substances Throughout the Neuron.- Basic Characteristics of Axoplasmic Flow.- Mechanism of Transport.- The Role of Axoplasmic Transport.- Retrograde Transport.- Transneuronal Transport.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section IV Functional Aspects of Neurotransmitter Activity.- 17 Cholinergic Systems.- Biochemistry of Acetylcholine.- Role of Acetyl-Coenzyme A.- Role of Choline.- Biosynthesis of Acetylcholine.- Release of Acetylcholine.- Acetylcholinesterases.- Acetylcholine Receptors.- Cholinergic Systems.- Acetylcholine and Behavior.- Acetylcholine and Learning.- 18 Catecholaminergic Systems.- Synthesis and Metabolism of Catecholamines.- Catecholamine Storage, Release and Inactivation.- ?- and ?-Adrenergic Receptors.- Dopaminergic Receptors.- Effects of Catecholamines on Neurons.- Catecholaminergic Neuroanatomy.- Actions of Catecholaminergic Systems.- Catecholamines and Learning.- 19 Serotonergic and Histaminergic Systems.- Synthesis and Metabolism of Serotonin.- Anatomy of Serotonergic Neurons.- Cellular Actions of Serotonin.- Actions of Serotonergic Systems.- Serotonin and Learning.- Histamine as a Neurotransmitter.- Synthesis and Metabolism of Histamine.- Physiological Actions of Histamine..- 20 Amino Acids as Neurotransmitters.- Glutamic Acid.- Aspartic Acid.- Glycine.- ?-Alanine.- Taurine.- Proline.- ?-Aminobutyric Acid.- ?-Hydroxybutyric Acid.- 21 Other Putative Neurotransmitters and Neuromodulators.- Purines.- Eicosanoids in the Brain.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section V The Brain as an Endocrine Gland.- 22 Endocrine and “Paracrine” Effects on Brain Activity.- General Actions of Hormones.- Classification of Humoral Agents in the Brain.- Neuroendocrine Systems.- Hypothalamic Peptides.- 23 The Control of Sexual Behavior.- Brain Areas Controlling Sexual Behavior.- Luteinizing Hormone Releasing Hormone.- Pituitary Gonadotropic Hormones.- Prolactin.- Hormones of the Ovary.- Hormones of the Testis.- Testosterone and Behavior.- Effects of Sex Hormones on Brain Functions.- 24 The Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Behavior.- Corticotropin Releasing Factor.- Adrenocorticotropic Hormone.- Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone.- Behavioral Effects of ACTH/MSH Peptides.- ACTH and Learning.- The Adrenal Cortex and the Brain.- 25 Hypothalamus-Pituitary-Thyroid.- Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone.- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone.- The Thyroid and the Brain.- 26 Growth Hormone and Its Secretion.- Growth Hormone Releasing and Release Inhibiting Factors.- Growth Hormone.- 27 Neurochemistry of Thirst and Hunger.- Control of Water Metabolism.- The Renin-Angiotensin System.- Vasopressin and Oxytocin.- Neurotensin.- Peptides Present in the Brain and Gut.- Insulin.- 28 Neurochemistry of Pain.- Precursors of Opioid Peptides.- Endorphins.- Enkephalins.- Dynorphin.- Cellular Effects of Opioid Peptides.- Possible Functions of Opioid Peptides.- Substance P.- Bradykinin.- 29 Some Other Notable Brain Peptides.- Calcitonin.- Sleep-Related Peptides.- Additional Brain Peptides.- Brain Dipeptides.- Behavioral Peptides.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section VI A Model of Neuronal Plasticity and Some Speculations on its Relationship to Learning and Memory.- A Model of Neuronal Plasticity and Some Speculations on its Relationship to Learning and Memory.- References.