Vestibular schwannomas are the most common tumors of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA), the junction between the cerebellum and the brainstem. They constitute around 8% of intracranial tumors. They are benign and arise from the vestibular nerve within the internal auditory canal growing from the canal into the CPA eventually causing brainstem compression. Their incidence is around 2.5 per 100,000. Around 70% of tumors do not grow following diagnosis but those that do or those that are already large at presentation are usually treated either with stereotactic radiosurgery or microsurgical resection. Vestibular schwannomas have been extensively investigated over the years with nearly 10,000 peer reviewed papers relating to them on Pubmed. Despite this plethora of data there are very few books that assimilate the literature to provide a comprehensive, readable and contemporary overview of their management. This book aims to meet these requirements covering both sporadic and neurofibromatosis type 2 vestibular schwannomas. The chapters within the book will cover all aspects of the diagnosis and management of vestibular schwannomas. Opening chapters provide a historical back drop, followed by current state of the art of molecular biology, histopathology and genomics relating to vestibular schwannomas. A comprehensive section related to the assessment of patients with vestibular schwannomas will highlight the multidisciplinary approach to the management of these tumors. This will set out some of the cutting edge research currently being undertaken in prediction of tumor growth using novel biological and radiological markers. The next section focuses on the treatment of vestibular schwannomas. This will make up the largest proportion of the book and will cover all treatment modalities from observation through to stereotactic radiosurgery and microsurgical resection. Lastly will be a section focusing on rehabilitation of neurological deficit arising as a result of the disease or its treatment.
Neuroglia in Neurologic and Psychiatric Disorders, Part II discusses glia relative to neurologic and psychiatric disorders, emphasizing cross-disease-glial cell dysfunctions. Driven by advances in genetics, transcriptomics, electrophysiologic and imaging techniques, as well as by the increase in knowledge on neuropathologic features and underlying disease mechanisms, this book bridges the gap between neuroglia basic science and neuroglia clinical research.
Neuroglia in the Healthy Nervous System, Part I provides insights into newly emerging developments in neuroglia biology, focusing on the healthy nervous system. Driven by advances in genetics, transcriptomics, electrophysiological, and imaging techniques, this volume bridges the gap between neuroglia basic science and neuroglia clinical research. The book provides an overview of neuroglia biology, highlighting emerging technologies used to unravel the role of neuroglial cells in specific brain functions. The book also discusses strategies using neuroglia as a therapeutic target.
Coma, Stupor, and Related Disorders of Consciousness reviews recent research and best practice in the assessment and treatment of coma, stupor, and disorders of consciousness. It encompasses the neural circuits, anatomy & physiology of stupor and coma, differential diagnosis and clinical assessment, imagery, EEGs, therapy/intervention, decision making and prognosis.
Circadian rhythms, sleep, and sleep disorders covers the topic in two sections focusing on basic science and clinical application. In the basic section, new developments and research findings focusing on basic circadian rhythm and sleep physiology in animals and humans is highlighted. The chapters are written in short mini-review formats in order to concisely describe the fundamentals, and current hot topics.The basic part starts with a chapter on the fundamentals and new discoveries on oscillating circuitries in the sleeping rodent and human brain. This sets the stage for chap 2, focusing on circadian and homeostatic aspects of human sleep regulation. Chap 3 extends these aspects to human cognition. The next chapter reports on visual and non-visual effects of light on human behavior, particularly endocrine and electrophysiological correlates. Chap 5 covers chronic sleep restriction effects on functional connectivity states. The last two chapters (6 and 7) give a broad overview on sleep modeling across physiological levels, with a focus on a quantitative model of sleep-wake dynamics based on the physiology of the brainstem ascending arousal system.The clinical section of the book describes the circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders, from epidemiology to clinical picture and treatment. Disorders covered include delayed and advanced sleep phase syndrome, Irregular sleep-wake rhythm disorder, shift work disorder, restless legs syndrome, nocturnal eating syndrome, narcolepsy, and sleep apnea. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments of insomnia are explored, as well as the role of sleep-wake modulation in the pathogenesis and clinical profile of neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.
Cell and Gene Therapies for Neurologic Diseases, Volume 205 comprehensively covers the scientific background, translational efforts, clinical developments and registered biologics that have entered into clinical practice. Coverage includes types of therapies available and in development, and best practice uses for a variety of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, ALS, stroke, spinal cord RP, demyelination, and epilepsy. As the emergence of gene and cellular therapeutics has changed the clinical landscape for a variety of disorders, and is now ready to do so for neurological diseases, these therapeutic modalities currently complement, and may in time, supplant small molecule drugs.
Inherited White Matter Disorders and Their Mimics, Volume 204 discusses where imaging abnormalities and pathology lie predominantly in the CNS white matter. Many acquired causes, such as multiple sclerosis, are readily diagnosed and familiar to the majority of neurologists. However, less common acquired causes and genetic disorders (the leukodystrophies and genetic leukoencephalopathies) often present a diagnostic challenge. The evaluation of patients with White matter disorders (WMDs) has evolved enormously in recent decades, due to advances in genetics, radiology, and the development of treatments for specific disorders. This book brings together WMD research, spanning basic science, molecular genetics, and clinical and radiological phenotyping.This volume presents both common WMDs and rare disorders according to their presentations or pathophysiology. Chapters lay out the clinical and radiological presentation of the disorder, followed by genetics and diagnostics, and finally discussion of pathophysiology and treatment. Chapter contain imaging, clinical pearls to diagnosis, and reference tables for genotype-phenotype correlation. For diagnostic work-up, easy to read algorithms are presented as well as clear guidance on indications for treatment, where applicable.
Neurological Channelopathies, Volume 203 begins with an introductory overview highlighting common mechanistic themes that cut across different CNS and PNS presentations, but that also have potential for common treatment approaches, considering classification, genetics, and fundamental physiology of ion channels. Subsequent chapters present a detailed consideration of all genetic and immunological channelopathies. Each chapter considers Pathophysiological underpinnings - genetic or immunological; Clinical presentations; Diagnostic approach; and Treatment and management.In the last 15 years, a combination of detailed clinical, genetic, molecular electrophysiological, and immunological research has combined to result in a deep understanding of a subgroup of neurological diseases spanning the central and peripheral nervous system and which have become known collectively as the Neurological Channelopathies. Although it was originally considered that significant ion channel dysfunction would not be compatible with life, we now know this is often not the case, although severe disease can often be the result. Given these major advances, it is now the right time to combine this knowledge into a single HCN volume dedicated to the topics at hand.
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Neurological Diseases (HSCT), Volume 201 provides the latest information on what has been evaluated as a possible therapeutic tool in severe autoimmune diseases for the last 20 years. In the neurological field, HSCT has been widely investigated for the treatment of multiple sclerosis and evidence is accumulating about its potential use in neuromyelitis optica, stiff person syndrome, myasthenia gravis, and many immune neuropathies. Besides their strong clinical relevance, studies on HSCT in neurological diseases have contributed to new insights on the pathological mechanisms underlying CNS autoimmunity, hence this volume summarizes that research.
Learning Deep Brain Stimulation Management through Clinical Cases reviews the clinical practice of applying deep brain stimulation (DBS) to patients with movement disorders. The book explores the cardinal aspects of applying DBS in diverse movement disorders based on patient’s needs. Every case answers all questions, providing case descriptions and step-by-step procedures for optimal replication. Every chapter includes a clinical decision support system (CDSS) depicted in flowcharts that can be used for reference. Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) uses electrical stimulation to regulate electrical signals in neural circuits to and from identified areas in the brain to improve movement symptoms.The management of DBS in a movement disorders can be challenging, optimizing patient journeys and grasping all clinical aspects of the highly technological therapy. Hence, this book provides the informaiton necessary to embrace new breakthroughs.