J. Folch-Pi Director of Scientific Research, McLean Hospital, Belmont, Mass., U.S.A. The development of the central nervous system is possibly the most significant aspect of the growth of a mammal from embryo to adulthood. The central nervous system is obviously the main repository not only of the species' inherited functional characteristics but also of the process of individuation. Whatever "engrams" constitute the basis of individual characteristics are laid down mainly in the central nervous system, and especially the brain, during its growth. The chemical aspect of this process IS...

The recent symposium and the appearance of this new book on Drugs Affecting Lipid Metabolism take place at a very unusual time for the development of this area. After the publication and wide acceptance of the results of the cholestyramine study by the Lipid Clinics in the USA, showing for the first time a direct association between drug induced reduction of plasma levels of total and LDL cholesterol and coronary heart disease in a high risk population, an unparalleled interest in drugs and other procedures able to control plasma cholesterol levels has been activated. Two other significant...

This volume represents the proceedings ofthe invited lectures ofthe first International Symposium on "Serotonin from Cell Biology to Pharmacology and Therapeutics" which was held in Florence on March 29 -Aprill, 1989. This meeting, held under the co-sponsorship of the Serotonin Club and the Fondazione Giovanni Lorenzini, represents the first attempt to bring together scientists fascinated by the complexity of the action of 5-hydroxytryptamine throughout the body and in various species. Hence this volume provides the reader with the unique overview of the sources, effects, receptors,...

The treatment of menopausal and postmenopausal symptoms is a focus of considerable debate, on account of both the medical and social factors involved. And perhaps the cause of the greatest current interest and concern is not so much the effectiveness of present-day treatment but its safety. Opinions on the subject vary; and to resolve the arguments we must turn to the results of scientific experiment, both the clinical and biological. It is only by comparing experimental results that it is possible to move forward, albeit slowly, towards a generally agreed consensus based upon objective...

List of Contributors xviii An Aging Humankind: New Realities E. Dicgalusy Does Menopause Increase the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease? M.V. Huisrnan Chronic Low-Grade Metabolic Acidosis in Normal Adult Humans: Pathophysiology and Consequences L. Frassetto, R.C. Morris, Jr., K. Todd, and A. Sebastian The Menopause, Sex Hormones, and Rheumatic Disease G. Hall Novel Mechanisms of Estrogen Action J.-A. Gustafsson The Action of Ovarian Steroid Hormones on Tissues and Organs M.J. Legato Nongenomic Mechanisms of Sex Hormones J.H.H. Thijssen Action of Specific Estrogens on Vascular Cells C.S. Wingrove...

This book contains the proceedings of the ARW NATO Conference on "Action of Free Radicals and Active Forms of Oxygen on Lipoproteins and Membrane Lipids: Cellular Interactions and Atherogenesis," held in Bendor, France, October 5-8,1988. Since the pioneer work of Mc Cord and Fridovitch, growing interest has been focused on the study of the role of oxyradicals role in pathology. This interest is reflected in the exponential increase in the number of papers on free radicals, the success of specialized journals and books on this theme, and the organization of national and international meetings....

Chocolate and Health focuses on the technological developments to improve the healthy qualities of chocolate. The text provides a cohesive collection of contributions, including historical notes, food technology, and cocoa biochemical and clinical trials.