Peripheral Benzodiazepine Receptors: (Neuroscience Perspectives)

Neuroscience Perspectives provides multidisciplinary reviews of topics in one of the most diverse and rapidly advancing fields in the life sciences. Whether you are a new recruit to neuroscience, or an established expert, look to this series for 'one-stop' sources of the historical, physiological, pharmacological, biochemical, molecular biological and therapeutic aspects of chosen research areas. Although peripheral type benzodiazepne recognition sites have been demonstrated in the brain and peripheral organs of various species for more than 10 years, the exact physiological function or pharmacological effects have not yet been established. Peripheral benzodiazepine literature is so overwhelming that the novice may find it virtually impossible to form a clear idea about the diverse findings. This volume, dedicated exclusively to pBR and their natural and synthetic ligands, puts the available data into perspective. A truly interdisciplinary approach has brought neuroscientists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, and immunologists together to work on the description of pBR-mediated effects. The chemistry, biochemistry, and molecular biology of the pBR receptor and its ligands are reviewed, their pharmacological usefulness is conjectured, and thus a true overview of the field is provided.

Table of Contents:
Biochemical and Chemical Characteristics of the Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptor and Its Ligands. Biochemical and Molecular Properties of Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptors. Binding Characteristics of the Receptor and Coupling to Transport Protein(S). Endogenous and Synthetic Ligands of the Receptor: Structure-Affinity Relationships. Pharmacological Effects of Peripherally Acting Benzodiazepines. The Role of the Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptors in Steroidogenesis. Effects on Cell Growth and Differentiation. Immunostimulating Effects of Peripherally Acting Benzodiazepines. Central and Peripheral Type Benzodiazepine Receptors: Role in Memory Regulation and Possible Relation to Anxiety Levels. Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptors and Smooth Muscle Reactivity. Cardiovascular Actions of Peripheral Acting Benzodiazepines. Modulation of Receptor Numbers in Response to Pathophysiological Situations. Effects of Change in Tissue Concentrations of Putative Endogenous Ligands on Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptors Ex Vivo. Modification of Receptor Numbers in Stressful Situations. Pathophysiological and Endocrinological Aspects of Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptor Densities. Mitochondrial Benzodiazepine Receptor Ligands as Indicators of Damage to the CNS: Their Application in Positron Emission Tomography. Subject Index.

About the Author :
Professor Peter Jenner is a specialist in preclinical aspects of neurodegenerative diseases, notably Parkinson’s disease. He has spent the major part of his career at King’s College London where he was Head of Pharmacology for 14 years before returning to his research roots and subsequently becoming Emeritus Professor of Pharmacology. Peter has expertise in drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics but neuropharmacology based on functional models of neurodegenerative diseases has formed the major focus of his work. Peter holds a BPharm, PhD and DSc degree from the University of London. He has published well over 1000 articles with more than 700 peer reviewed papers. He is a Fellow of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, the British Pharmacological Society, the Royal Society of Medicine and of King’s College London. Peter was recently honoured with a Doctor Honoris Causa degree from Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest and made an Honorary Fellow of The British Pharmacological Society for his contribution to research in to movement disorders. Peter has worked closely with the pharmaceutical industry for many years and acts as an adviser and consultant to both major pharma and biotech companies. He has a wide knowledge of the drug discovery and drug development process and has been involved from molecule synthesis through to drug registration for use in man. Peter was the Founder, Director and Chief Scientific Officer of Proximagen, a biotech focussed on the treatment and cure of neurodegenerative diseases that was listed on AIMs and subsequently purchased by a US based healthcare company. He is a regular speaker at international meetings and also takes time to speak at Parkinson’s disease patient-carer groups across the UK.