Hypoparathyroidism, An Issue of Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America The Clinics: Internal Medicine Series

This issue of Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics, edited by Dr. Michael A. Levine, will focus on Hypoparathyroidism. Topics include, but are not limited to, Signs and symptoms of hypoparathyroidism, Embryology of the parathyroid glands, Physiology of parathyroid hormone, Epidemiology of hypoparathyroidism, Surgical hypoparathyroidism, Medical hypoparathyroidism, Genetic disorders of parathyroid development and function, Autoimmune hypoparathyroidism, Skeletal Manifestations of hypoparathyroidism, Renal manifestations of hypoparathyroidism, Quality of life and other targets of hypoparathyroidism, Pseudohypoparathyroidism, Conventional treatment of hypoparathyroidism, and New Directions in Treatment.

Dr. Michael A. Levine is Chief of Endocrinology and Diabetes and Director of the Center for Bone Health at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Dr. Levine holds the Lester Baker Endowed Chair and is Professor of Pediatrics and Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Levine's research focuses on the genetic basis of disorders of bone and mineral metabolism and complements his clinical expertise in endocrine diseases that affect bone and mineral metabolism. His approach is to apply molecular and genetic tools to analyze the basis of altered hormone action, particularly in G protein-coupled signal transduction systems that affect growth and development. He has identified or contributed to the molecular basis of several inherited disorders of bone and mineral metabolism, including familial hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, cherubism, and the McCune Albright syndrome. His research interests now extend to the molecular events that control embryological development of the parathyroid glands and genetic modifiers of vitamin D action.