Neurobiology of Acetylcholine, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1987

This Festschrift volume in honor of Professor Alexander Karczmar is the outcome of a three-day symposium entitled "Neurobiology of Acetylcholine" held at Loyola University Medical Center from June 3 to 5, 1985. This volume serves two purposes. It expresses the respect and admiration of the contributors to Alex Karczmar, and it provides a forum for detailing recent advances in the cholinergic field which has attracted the undivided and untiring attention of Dr. Karczmar over some 40 years. During this period, the cholinergic system has grown from its infancy to become one of the most studied and understood transmitter systems today. Dr. Karczmar's interest in cholinergic system is appropriately reflected by the range of topics, molecular, cellular, developmental, behavioral and toxicological, that were discussed here. A detailed synopsis of Dr. Karczmar's research and his contributions to the field of cholinergic systems can be found in the following chapter by his close friend and colleague, Dr. George Koelle. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the enthusiastic responses of the participants making this Festschrift a memorable event.

Morphological and Developmental Studies.- Distribution of Cholinergic Neurons in Human Brain.- Development of the Acetylcholine Receptor Clusters Induced by Basic Polypeptides in Cultured Muscle Cells.- Characteristics of Cholinergic Synapses in Neuroblastoma Myotube Co-Cultures.- Identification of a Neurotrophic Factor for the Maintenance of Acetylcholinesterase and Butyrylcholinesterase in the Preganglionically Denervated Superior Cervical Ganglion of the Cat.- The Application of Immunochemical Techniques to the Study of Cholinergic Function.- Biochemical Studies of Cholinergic Systems.- The Effect of AH 5183 (2-(4-Phenylpiperidino)-Cyclohexanol) on Acetylcholine Synthesis and Release in the Isolated Guinea Pig Ileum Longitudinal Muscle/Myenteric Plexus Preparation..- Brain Acetylcholine - A View From the Cerebrospinal Fluid.- Acetylcholinesterase Activity in Use and Disuse of Muscle.- Protein Phosphorylation and Phospholipid Metabolism in the Superior Cervical Ganglion.- AF64A: A Useful Tool in Cholinergic Research.- A Pharmacological Study of Acetylcholine Synthesis Storage and Release.- Regulation of Choline Phosphorylation in Rat Striatum.- The Mechanisms of Action of Norepinephrine and Acetylcholine on the Heart: Role of Protein Phosphorylation.- Presynaptic Modulation of Cortical Acetylcholine Release: Influence of Age and Adenosine.- Electrophysiology.- The Story of the Renshaw Cell.- The Blockade of Open Channel of Acetylcholine Receptor is Responsible for Selective Blockade of Nicotinic Transmission.- Synaptic Mechanisms for Long-Term Potentiation in Sympathetic Ganglia.- Modulation by Neurotransmitters of the Nicotinic Transmission in the Vertebrates.- Nicotinic Receptors on Vagal Nerve Terminals in the Atrium.- Muscarinic Receptor Activation Underlying theSlow Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potential (S-I.P.S.P.) and the Slow Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential (S-E.P.S.P.).- Alteration of the Ganglionic Fast EPSC by Anticholinesterase Drugs or Protease Treatment.- Role of Acetylcholine in the Cerebral Cortex.- Actions of Acetylcholine on Spinal Motoneurons.- An EGG Investigation of the Ascending Cholinergic Pathways.- Activation and Blockade of the Nicotinic and Glutamatergic Synapses by Reversible and Irreversible Cholinesterase Inhibitors.- The Involvement of Alkaline Earth Cations in the Control of Acetylcholine Release.- Pharmacology of Acetylcholine Activated Ion Channels: Contemporary Approaches.- Functional Aspects of Cholinergic System Receptor-Receptor Interactions in the Modulation of Nicotinic Receptors in Adrenal Medulla.- Aspects of Cholinergic Function in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.- Cholinergic Regulation of REM Sleep: Basic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications for Affective Illness and Narcolepsy.- Cholinergic Systems in the Central Control of Body Temperature.- Influence of Frontal Decortication on Drugs Affecting Striatal Cholinergic Activity and Cataleptic Behavior: Restoration Studies.- Toxicology.- Succinylcholine - Clinical and Toxicological Aspects.- Pathology of Experimental Nerve Agent Poisoning.- Organophosphorus Anticholinesterase-Induced Epileptiform Activity in the Hippocampus.- MIPAFOX-Inhibitor of Cholinesterase, Neurotoxic Esterase, and DFP-ase: Is There a “MIPAFOX-ase”?.- Organophosphate Poisoning and Its Treatment by Oximes.- Muscarinic and Nicotinic Mechanisms of Seizures Induced by Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Observations on Diazepam and Midazolam as Antagonists.- The Effects of 2, 5-Hexanedione on Cholinesterase in the Rat.- Electroencephalographic Correlates of Nerve Agent Poisoning.-Differentiation of Medullary and Neuromuscular Effects of Nerve Agents.- Actions of Intravenous Eserine and Pyridostigmine on Cat Spinal Cord Renshaw Cells.- Concluding Remarks: Past, Present and Future of Cholinergic Research.