In the first 20 years that followed the purinergic signalling hypothesis in 1972, most scientists were sceptical about its validity, largely because ATP was so well established as an intracellular molecule involved in cell biochemistry and it seemed unlikely that such a ubiquitous molecule would act as an extracellular signalling molecule. However, after the receptors for ATP and adenosine were cloned and characterized in the early 1990s and ATP was established as a synaptic transmitter in the brain and sympathetic ganglia, the tide turned. More recently it has become clear that ATP is involved in long-term (trophic) signalling in cell proliferation, differentiation and death, in development and regeneration, as well as in short-term signalling in neurotransmission and secretion. Also, important papers have been published showing the molecular structure of P2X receptors in primitive animals like Amoeba and Schistosoma, as well as green algae. This has led to the recognition of the widespread nature of the purinergic signalling system in most cell types and to a rapid expansion of the field, including studies of the pathophysiology as well as physiology and exploration of the therapeutic potential of purinergic agents. In two books, Geoffrey Burnstock and Alexej Verkhratsky have aimed at drawing together the massive and diverse body of literature on purinergic signalling. The topic of this first book is purinergic signalling in the peripheral and central nervous systems and in the individual senses. In a second book the authors focus on purinergic signalling in non-excitable cells, including those of the airways, kidney, pancreas, endocrine glands and blood vessels. Diseases related to these systems are also considered.

This Research Topic aims to honour the 80th birthday of Professor Peter Illes, who is a member of the European Academy of Sciences, the founder/first president of the German Purine Club, and Honorary President of the Chinese Purine Club. He established a worldwide co-operation network on purinergic signalling and is an internationally recognized leader in the field. We aim to collect research articles and reviews from friends, colleagues and co-operation partners of Dr. Illes to showcase, build on and develop research being achieved related to the physiological/pathophysiological roles of purines in the central nervous system (CNS). Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) is an intracellular energy-storing molecule, but may also reach the extracellular space, where it participates in cell-to-cell signalling. For this purpose, ATP utilises a range of purinergic receptors activated either by ATP itself (P2X receptors; seven subtypes) or by ATP/ADP and UTP/UDP (P2Y receptors; 8 subtypes) and finally via its enzymatic degradation product, adenosine (P1/A receptors; 4 subtypes). Purine nucleotides and nucleosides together with the whole plethora of receptors and degrading enzymes constitute the purinome. This fascinating and extensive network exists both in the animal kingdom and in humans and is essential in regulating important physiological functions. Disturbances in the network can lead to a variety of illnesses clinically associated with both neurological or psychiatric traits. In recent years, hope has arisen that pharmacological chemistry together with various newly developed methods, will enable researchers to discover and design efficient drugs for treating these neurodegenerative and affective diseases.

Nearly 30 years ago, a number of scientists working on the Enteric Nervous System (ENS) gathered at Flinders University, in Adelaide, Australia to discuss the advances and future of their research. It was a friendly and stimulating meeting, attended by most of the major players, in what was to become the discipline of ‘Neurogastroenterology'. In 2014, the main Australasian Neuroscience Society meeting was held in Adelaide, Australia, providing the perfect opportunity to recreate a follow-up ENS meeting. As such, the ‘ENS II 2014 meeting’ aimed to identify how far the field of enteric neuroscience had developed, where the future was heading, and what technological advances had been made to address current and future unresolved questions. 30 speakers from around the world were invited to give talks and revisit the original expectations, the advances made since, and the future directions of ENS research. These discussions included three generations of investigators from 7 different countries. This publication represents the majority of proceedings from the ‘The Enteric Nervous System II 2014’ conference, which was held on February 1st - 2nd 2014 at the National Wine Centre of Australia, Adelaide. This meeting was an Official satellite meeting of the 34th Annual Meeting of Australasian Neuroscience Society, which was also held in Adelaide. The 20 contributions contained within this submission are from international researchers in the field of the ENS, who reviewed the advances made since the first meeting in the early 1980s and summarizes the present and future perspectives of neuro-gastroenterology. Some colleagues could not attend but did send greetings and their messages are included in these proceedings.

ATP, the intracellular energy source, is also an extremely important cell–cell signalling molecule for a wide variety of cells across evolutionarily diverse organisms. The extracellular biochemistry of ATP and its derivatives is complex, and the multiple membrane receptors that it activates are linked to many intracellular signalling systems. Purinergic signalling affects a diverse range of cellular phenomena, including ion channel function, cytoskeletal dynamics, gene expression, secretion, cell proliferation, differentiation and cell death. Recently, this class of signalling molecules and receptors has been found to mediate communication between neurons and non-neuronal cells (glia) in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Glia are critical for normal brain function, development and response to injury. Neural impulse activity is detected by glia and purinergic signalling is emerging as a major means of integrating functional activity between neurons, glia and vascular cells in the nervous system. These interactions mediate effects of neural activity on the development of the nervous system and in association with injury, neurodegeneration, myelination and cancer. Bringing together contributions from experts in diverse fields, including glial biologists, neurobiologists and specialists in purinergic receptor structure and pharmacology, this book considers how extracellular ATP acts to integrate communication between different types of glia, and between neurons and glia. Beginning with an overview of glia and purinergic signalling, it contains detailed coverage of purine release, receptors and reagents, purinergic signalling in the neural control of glial development, glial involvement in information processing, and discussion of the interactions between neurons and microglia.

Ppresents, in a readable and accessible format, key information about how the autonomic nervous system controls the body, particularly in response to stress. Especially suitable for students, scientists and physicians seeking key information about all aspects of autonomic physiology and pathology in one convenient source, this bood provides up-to-date knowledge about basic and clinical autonomic neuroscience in a format designed to make learning easy

Intercellular communication is part of a complex system of communication that governs basic cellular activities and coordinates cell actions. The ability of cells to perceive and correctly respond to their environment is the basis of growth and development, tissue repair, and immunity as well as normal tissue homeostasis. Errors in cellular information processing are responsible for diseases such as cancer, autoimmunity, diabetes, and neurological and psychiatric disorders. There is substantial drug development concentrating on this and intercellular communication is the basis of much of neuropharmacology. By understanding cell signaling, diseases may be treated effectively and, theoretically, artificial tissues may be yielded. Neurotransmitters/receptors, synaptic structure and organization, gap junctions, neurotrophic factors and neuropeptides are all explored in this volume, as are the ways in which signaling controls neuroendocrinology, neuroimmunology and neuropharmacology. Intercellular Communication in the Nervous System provides a valuable desk reference for all scientists who consider signaling. - Chapters offer impressive scope with topics addressing neurotransmitters/receptors, synaptic structure and organization, neuropeptides, gap junctions, neuropharmacology and more - Richly illustrated in full color with over 200 figures - Contributors represent the most outstanding scholarship in the field, with each chapter providing fully vetted and reliable expert knowledge

Frontiers in Pharmacology was launched in 2010, with a number of sections which were eventually reorganized. The founding Field Chief Editor was Prof. Théophile Godfraind, an eminent scientist active in cardiovascular pharmacology, who pioneered the discovery of calcium antagonists. At that time he invited me to serve as Chief Editor for a section named “Analytical and Experimental Pharmacology”. Later on, our section enlarged and was re-named as “Experimental Pharmacology and Drug Discovery” to outline the translational potential of fundamental pharmacological research and theoretical analysis to the improvement of human health, through the invention of novel medicinal products. We are now entering the 10th year of editorial activity, which sees the publication of the 1,000th paper in our section. Such an achievement is very rewarding for us and our community, but it is even more remarkable when placed into the timeline of our development. In fact, in a 10-year frame we have significantly grown in quantity and quality, e.g. both in number of published papers and in scientific impact. [From a personal perspective by Salvatore Salomone, Specialty Chief Editor]

The Fifth edition finds the text of The Central Nervous System thoroughly updated and revised, better equipping students with essential information in the field of clinical neuroscience. This text, reviewed to reflect new information as well as understanding of student needs for critical thinking, contains the systematic, in-depth coverage of topics of great clinical interest. This text seamlessly integrates data from all fields of neuroscience as well as clinical neurology and psychology. This textbook presents the functional properties of clinically-relevant disorders by incorporating data from molecular biology to clinical neurology. Key Features of the Fifth Edition Include... · Chapters knit together by numerous cross-references and explanations, helping the reader to connect data. · Carefully selected full color line drawings of the complexities of the nervous system. · Extensive use of text-boxes provides in-depth material without disturbing the flow of reading. · Provides a crucial list of references for further reading. While most neurological textbooks are cobbled together by multiple authors on a variety of topics within the field, Dr. Brodal pulls together a cohesive and comprehensive guide to neuroscience. This book reflects Dr. Brodal's concise and easy-to-read style, encouraging reflection and critical thinking in established facts and scientific conjecture. This is the perfect reference for medical, graduate, and undergraduate students alike.