The field of research related to neurocritical care has grown significantly in recent years, and the clinical demands for current and dependable expertise has followed suit. It can be a challenge for the neurocritical practitioner to keep up with cutting-edge evidence-based research and best practices, especially regarding the role of pharmacotherapeutics. In the treatment of neurocritical disease states, pharmacotherapeutic strategies are increasingly relevant. Neuropharmacotherapy in Critical Illness is the first book that provides this information in a high-yield format for the busy healthcare provider. Edited and authored by leading experts in the field, this book provides practitioners with clinical pearls on neuropharmacology, dosing strategies, monitoring, adverse events, drug interactions, and evidence-based pharmacotherapy.

This is a thoroughly revised and expanded second edition of the definitive volume on the diagnosis and management of neurologic complications during critical illness (originally published under the title Critical Illness by FA Davis in 1995). Among the new features for the second edition are chapters on the evaluation of coma focused on structural causes, neurologic complications in the critically ill pregnant patient, and withdrawal of life support. The book is intended for neurologists, intensivists, anesthesiologists, pulmonologists, neurology and ICU nurses, neurosurgeons, and transplant surgeons working in surgical and medical intensive care units, including transplant units.

This book demonstrates how the latest insights into the physiopathology of the stress response can be integrated into clinical practice. The topic is particularly relevant since the metabolic changes triggered by acute stress, including adaptive responses such as resistance to anabolic signals, have recently been more precisely delineated. The underlying mechanisms of these changes are also now better understood. The authors analyse how these advances could result in better management and more effective prevention of the long-term clinical consequences of the alterations occurring during the acute phase. An international panel of respected experts discusses these topics and describes the management of some common clinical conditions.

A comprehensive, practical guide, providing critical solutions in the management of critically ill neurologic and neurosurgical patients.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to delivering analgesia and sedation to critically ill patients for professionals and caregivers being involved in the management of these patients. It discusses and explains in detail the advantages and limitations of each drug and device using clear flowcharts, diagrams and tables. Furthermore, it explores the new drugs and – above all – new sedation delivery systems, particularly those for administering volatile anesthetics on ICUs. This book is a valuable and practical resource for anesthesists, intensivists and emergency physicians interested in sedation.

Introduction to Neuropharmacology presents the action of drugs as it relates to nervous system. It discusses the purposes into which drugs are use (e.g. as contraceptives and anti-riot agents). It addresses the differences between physiology and pharmacology. Some of the topics covered in the book are the factors affecting responses to drugs; properties of drugs; the kinetics of drug-receptor interactions; dose-response relationship; the principles of synaptic transmission; criteria for synaptic transmitters; somatic motor system; drugs affecting neuromuscular transmission; and drugs which act post-synaptically. The venoms and toxins that affect neuromuscular transmission are covered. The subdivisions of the autonomic nervous system are discussed. The text describes the autonomic ganglion stimulants. A study of the drugs mimicking parasympathetic stimulation is presented. A chapter is devoted to the drugs with antagonist actions on adrenoceptors. Another section focuses on the clinical uses of local anaesthetic drugs and the neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. The book can provide useful information to dentists, doctors, pharmacists, neurologists, students, and researchers.

Here is a comprehensive overview of the drugs that act on the central and peripheral nervous systems. This volume thoroughly describes the diseases associated with the nervous system and the drugs used for their treatment while also looking at the current status of these drugs and their future potential and challenges. Divided into three sections, the book first focuses on the drugs that affect the functions of the autonomic nervous system to produce therapeutic effects. These drugs may act presynaptically by manipulating the genesis, storage, and secretion, and by blocking the action of neurotransmitters. Some drugs may trigger or impede postsynaptic receptors. Section 2 focuses on drugs that affect the central nervous system, including antianxiety drugs, sedative and hypnotic drugs, antidepressant drugs, antipsychotic drugs, antiepileptic drugs, and many more. It covers the pharmacological management of various diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, and others. The last section offers explanations of neurochemical interactions with the aim to develop drugs that have beneficial effects on neurochemical imbalances. This section demonstrates models to assess the transport of drugs across the blood-brain barrier and nanomedicine to treat brain disorders. This rich compilation provides thorough and extensive research updates on the important advances in neuropharmacological drugs and drug therapy from experienced and eminent academicians, researchers, and scientists from throughout the world.

There is an estimated 2.5 million epileptics in the US and perhaps some 40 million worldwide. As research has become increasingly molecular in scope, fewer scientists are trained in the US on basic, integrated epilepsy techniques. One frustration in neuroscience today is the application of state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques to inappropriate animal models of epilepsy - frequently resulting in inconclusive results. Epilepsy research will be increasingly undertaken by scientists well-trained in reductionist methodology, but who may be unfamiliar with integrated, whole-animal techniques. This situation appears even more difficult considering there has been no updated textbook on experimental models of epilepsy over the last twenty years - until now. Neuropharmacology Methods in Epilepsy Research describes fundamental methodologies and procedures in this field, representing the only detailed text concerning experimental models of epilepsy published in the last 20 years. This guide studies the reproduction of well-characterized and readily interpretable experimental models of epilepsy to which state-of-the-art molecular biology techniques can be applied. Each chapter features: Introduction - providing a brief background and historical account of the techniques and their use Methodology - describing equipment, solutions, species, electrodes as well as considering variations of techniques and stimulation parameters Interpretations - demonstrating the relevance of techniques to epilepsy as well as describing what exactly is being studied and how the data is appropriately applied to understanding epilepsy Topics include electroshock, chemoconvulsions, kindling, audiogenic seizures, focal seizures, and brain slice preparations. Discussions also include: Recently developed seizure models, including status epilepticus and massed trial simulations Influence of circadian and diurnal rhythms on convulsive activity Behavior al and cognitive deficits associated with anticonvulsant drug testing Technical approaches, i.e. slice models, microdialysis techniques, intracranial implant surgery, audiogenic seizure testing, kindling paradigms, and the rhythmic nature of seizures This unique text provides a thorough reference for the diverse methodologies within this area of neuropharmacological research - providing the basis for on-going cellular and molecular investigations as well as novel therapeutic approaches to the treatment of epilepsy.

This volume brings together a wealth of data on the neurochemistry and neuropharmacology of schizophrenia. It provides investigators of the etiology of schizophrenia with a basis to formulate future directions. A major portion of the book is devoted to an analysis of the dopamine neurotransmitter system in recognition of the fact that it may represent the most likely site for neurochemical abnormalities to be found in schizophrenia. Developments in the pharmacologic treatment of schizophrenia are dealt with in six authoritative reviews and the advances detailed therein may set the stage for a second generation of improved antipsychotic medications.