From Molecules to Networks: An Introduction to Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

An understanding of the nervous system at virtually any level of analysis requires an understanding of its basic building block, the neuron. From Molecules to Networks provides the solid foundation of the morphologic, biochemical, and biophysical properties of nerve cells. All chapters have been thoroughly revised for this second edition to reflect the significant advances of the past 5 years. The new edition expands on the network aspects of cellular neurobiology by adding a new chapter, Information Processing in Neural Networks, and on the relation of cell biological processes to various neurological diseases. The new concluding chapter illustrates how the great strides in understanding the biochemical and biophysical properties of nerve cells have led to fundamental insights into important aspects of neurodegenerative disease.

• Written and edited by leading experts in the field, the second edition completely and comprehensively updates all chapters of this unique textbook
• Discusses emerging new understanding of non-classical molecules that affect neuronal signaling
• Full colour, professional graphics throughout
• Includes two new chapters: Information Processing in Neural Networks - describes the principles of operation of neural networks and the key circuit motifs that are common to many networks in the nervous system. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms of Neurodegenerative Disease - introduces the progress made in the last 20 years in elucidating the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying brain disorders, including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson disease, and Alzheimer’s disease

Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Dr. Heidelberger is an accomplished cellular neurophysiologist specializing in mechanisms of neurotransmitter release. She received her doctoral training under the guidance of Gary Matthews and her postdoctoral training under the direction of Nobel Laureate Erwin Neher. Dr. Heidelberger is a former president and executive board member of the Biophysical Society's Subgroup on Exocytosis and Endocytosis and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Neurophysiology. She has directed and taught graduate-level courses in cellular neurophysiology and membrane biophysics for more than a decade.

The William Wheless III Professor, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Dr. Waxham’s multi-disciplinary laboratory focuses on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of synaptic function and plasticity. He has developed and directed graduate-level courses in cellular and molecular neurobiology for more than two decades.

The June and Virgil Waggoner Professor and Chair, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical School at Houston. Dr. Byrne is an internationally acclaimed Neuroscientist. He received his PhD under the direction of Noble Prize winner, Eric Kandel. Dr. Byrne is a prolific author and Editor-in-Chief of Learning and Memory (CSHP).