The chemistry of behavior : a molecular approach to neuronal plasticity / Stanislav Reinis and Jerome M. Goldman.

Includes bibliographies and index.

Contents: Section I The Molecular Basis Of Neuronal Activity.- 1The Neuronal Membrane.- Excitable Membranes.- Membrane "Pumps".- Ionic Channels.- The Sodium Channel.- The Potassium Channel.- The Calcium Channel.- 2 Membrane Lipids.- Fatty Acids in the Brain.- Glycerophosphatides in the Brain.- Sphingolipids in the Brain.- Sphingomyelins.- Glycosphingolipids.- Cerebrosides.- Sulfatides.- Gangliosides.- Isoprenoid Lipids.- Lipofuscin.- Myelin.- 3 The Nerve Impulse.- 4 Synaptic Transmission.- Electrotonic Communication between Neurons.- The Structure of Chemical Synapses.- Function of the Synapse.- Neurotransmitters.- Neurotransmitter Receptors.- Synaptosomal Metabolism.- 5 The Blood-Brain Barrier and Extracellular Fluid.- The Blood-Brain Barrier.- Brain Extracellular Space.- The Cerebrospinal Fluid.- Activity of Neuroglia.- 6 Synaptic Plasticity.- Synaptic Plasticity and Learning.- Complex Nature of Synaptic Plasticity.- 7 Morphological Changes Associated with Brain Plasticity.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section II The Energy Supply to the Neurons.- 8 Glucose and Energy Metabolism in the Brain.- Transport and Consumption of Glucose.- Brain Glycogen.- Pathways of Glucose Metabolism in the Brain.- Pentose Phosphate Cycle.- Energy Metabolism in Brain Tissue.- Brain Oxygen Consumption.- Mitochondria.- 9 Blood Flow and Temperature of the Brain.- Brain Temperature.- Summary and Speculations.- Recommended Readings.- References.- Section III Proteins in the Brain: Metabolism and Function.- 10 Purine and Pyrimidine Bases in the Brain.- 11 Deoxyribonucleic Acid and Its Role in the Brain.- Neuronal DNA Content.- DNA Replication.- Functional Importance of Changes in DNA.- 12 Ribonucleic Acids in the Brain.- RNA Synthesis.- Gene Expression in Neurons.- Brain RNA ...