Gert Ter Horst and a panel of recognized experts illuminate the complexities and importance of heart-brain and brain-heart interactions in human health. These distinguished authorities critically review what is known about autonomic control of the heart, hypothalamo-pituitary- adrenal modulation, heart pain, modulation by humoral factors, and the relationship between cognitive/neuropsychiatric disorders and heart disease. Highly relevant and up-to-date, The Nervous System and the Heart offers the first comprehensive treatment of the important mutual interactions of the heart and the brain. By integrating specialist knowledge in cardiology with that from neuroscience, this important book constitutes a brilliant guide to today's novel approaches to neural control of the heart and consequent reduction of cardiovascular mortality.

This volume discusses membrane potential imaging in the nervous system and in the heart and modern optical recording technology. Additionally, it covers organic and genetically-encoded voltage-sensitive dyes; membrane potential imaging from individual neurons, brain slices, and brains in vivo; optical imaging of cardiac tissue and arrhythmias; bio-photonics modelling. This is an expanded and fully-updated second edition, reflecting all the recent advances in this field. Twenty chapters, all authored by leading names in the field, are cohesively structured into four sections. The opening section focuses on the history and principles of membrane potential imaging and lends context to the following sections, which examine applications in single neurons, networks, large neuronal populations and the heart. Topics discussed include population membrane potential signals in development of the vertebrate nervous system, use of membrane potential imaging from dendrites and axons, and depth-resolved optical imaging of cardiac activation and repolarization. The final section discusses the potential – and limitations – for new developments in the field, including new technology such as non-linear optics, advanced microscope designs and genetically encoded voltage sensors. Membrane Potential Imaging in the Nervous System and Heart is ideal for neurologists, electro physiologists, cardiologists and those who are interested in the applications and the future of membrane potential imaging.

Providing clear, well-illustrated descriptions of brain structures in light of their functions, this cohesive and well-established textbook fosters understanding of the intimate relationship between the structure and function of the nervous system. Its focus on the integration of basic sciences with their clinical applications makes the book particularly well-suited for medical students needing knowledge of neuroscience as a basis for clinical thinking. For the third edition, two new chapters have been added on the vestibular system and control of eye movements, and all other chapters have been thoroughly revised.

This book describes newly developed methods of assessing the autonomic nervous system. Up-to-date information on microneurographic analysis of human cardiovascular and thermoregulatory function in humans, heart rate variability, and 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) scintigraphy are provided. Microneurography, which was originally developed as a technique to analyze the afferent muscle spindle, came to be used to analyze sympathetic nerve activity in the mid-1980s. In the twenty-first century, this technique has become prevalent all over the world especially in investigating the pathophysiology of human cardiovascular function. It is also now used in researching human thermoregulatory function. Heart rate variability is another valuable tool in investigating the current status of human vagal function and in predicting future cardiovascular disease. MIBG is also used to assess cardiac noradrenergic function, especially decreases associated with Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease, and multisystem atrophy. Overviews of recent advances in these three important assessments are provided by leading experts.Clinical Assessment of the Autonomic Nervous System is a useful resource for neurologists and researchers of clinical neurophysiology.

Essential Clinical Anatomy of the Nervous System is designed to combine the salient points of anatomy with typical pathologies affecting each of the major pathways that are directly applicable in the clinical environment. In addition, this book highlights the relevant clinical examinations to perform when examining a patient's neurological system, to demonstrate pathology of a certain pathway or tract. Essential Clinical Anatomy of the Nervous System enables the reader to easily access the key features of the anatomy of the brain and main pathways which are relevant at the bedside or clinic. It also highlights the typical pathologies and reasoning behind clinical findings to enable the reader to aid deduction of not only what is wrong with the patient, but where in the nervous system that the pathology is. - Anatomy of the brain and neurological pathways dealt with as key facts and summary tables essential to clinical practice. - Succinct yet comprehensive format with quick and easy access facts in clearly laid out key regions, common throughout the different neurological pathways. - Includes key features and hints and tips on clinical examination and related pathologies, featuring diagnostic summaries of potential clinical presentations.