The Chemical Languages of the Nervous System
History of Scientists and Substances
Published on 15. March 2006
Book
Hardback
238 pages
978-3-8055-8004-5 (ISBN)
Description
Neurochemical transmission accounts for the majority of information transfer both in the central and peripheral nervous system. The initial findings centred around the experimental work of the two Nobel Prize winners Sir Henry H. Dale and Otto Loewi as well as Wilhelm Feldberg. Their historical findings opened the door to further investigations and extended the list of neurotransmitters to many others such as amino acids, peptides, purines and nitric oxide. In the first part, the publication provides fascinating insights into the life of the three scientists. Their personality and scientific approach are presented through autobiographical sketches and personal memories by authors. Various comments and details of the atmosphere in the laboratory complete the picture of the conditions at the time. The second part is dedicated to the history of the substances, such as neurotransmitters, their antagonists and analogues. The stories of these substances are presented to the reader in a succinct way, including many anecdotes and unusual events on the way to their therapeutic application. (A Karger "Publishing Highlights 1890-2015" title)
More details
Persons
Content
Preface; Introduction; Otto Loewi; Otto Loewi Introductory Remarks; Autobiographic Sketch. By O. Loewi; Otto Loewi 1873 - 1961. By H.H. Dale; Otto Loewi. By F. Brucke; Loewi's Time in Graz; Comment on Loewi's Dream; An Overlooked Parallel to Kekule's Dream: The Discovery of the Chemical Transmission of Nerve Impulses by Otto Loewi; By U. Weiss and R.A. Brown; The Loewi Family's Way to the New World; Comment on the Film Nobelpreistrager Otto Loewi; Henry Hallett Dale; Henry Hallett Dale Introductory Remarks; Henry Hallett Dale 1875 - 1968. By W. Feldberg; Fifty Years after the Nobel Prize Award to H.H. Dale and Otto Loewi. By G.B. Koelle; Religious Reflections of Dale and Loewi; Wilhelm Feldberg; Wilhelm Feldberg Introductory Remarks; The Early History of Synaptic and Neuromuscular Transmission by Acetylcholine: Reminiscences of an Eye Witness; By W. Feldberg; From the History of Scientists to that of Neurotransmitters; A Substance Isolated from Brain, Synthesized and Called Neurin: Acetylcholine; Adrenaline, Noradrenaline and Dopamine: The Catecholamines; Enteramine and Serotonin: Two Names and Three Functions of 5-Hydroxytryptamine; Histamine: One Substance and Three Functions; The Amino Acid Transmitter Family; A Cloud of Peptides; Substance P; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Neuropeptide, Galanine and Vasoactive Intephinal Polypeptide; Opioid Peptides; Nitric Oxide; ATP and Adenosine; Peripheral Neurogenic Stimulators; Neurotransmission in the Central Nervous System; From Transmitter to Receptor: Progress within 50 Years.