Includes bibliographical references and index.

Introduction to neurodegenerative diseases and related techniques -- In vivo and in vitro determination of cell death markers in neurons -- Degenerating processes identified by electron microscopic immunocytochemical methods -- Isolation and culture of neurons and astrocytes from the mouse brain cortex -- Isolation and culture of postnatal spinal motoneurons -- Converting human pluripotent stem cells to neural tissue and neurons to model neurodegeneration -- Neural differentiation of induced pluripotent stem cells -- Developing yeast models of human neurodegenerative disorders -- Modeling dopamine neuron degeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans -- Role of the proteasome in fly models of neurodegeneration -- Modeling neurodegenerative diseases in zebrafish embryos -- Practical considerations of genetic rodent models for neurodegenerative diseases -- Modeling focal cerebral ischemia in vivo -- Pharmacological models of Parkinson's disease in rodents.

Neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease are a growing burden on our society. Understanding and treating these common diseases is one of the major current challenges for the biomedical field. In Neurodegeneration: Methods and Protocols, experts in the field tackle this challenge and present cutting-edge analytical and technological approaches to study the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative processes. Organizes into five sections, chapters detail protocols for isolating and culturing cells from the nervous system, production and use of animal models, characterization of cell death, analytical tools to study disease mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches for neurodegeneration. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Neurodegeneration: Methods and Protocols serves as an ideal guide to both novice and professional researchers in the field of neurodegeneration.

English.