Springer Book Archives

Preface. I: Morphology and Ontogeny. 1. Characterization of the Glial Cells in the Teleost Visual Pathway; J.M. Lara, et al. 2. The Macroglia of Teleosts: Characterization, Distribution and Development; S. Díaz-Regueira, R. Anadón. 3. Organization and Function of Astrocytes in the Human Retina; J.M. Ramírez, et al. 4. Astroglial Architecture of the Human Optic Nerve; Functional Role of Astrocytes; A. Triviño, et al. 5. Glial Cells Ontogeny in the Telencephalon and Mesencephalon of the Lizard Gallotia galloti; M. Monzón-Mayor, et al. 6. Role of Thyroid Hormone on the Oligodendrocyte Type 2-Astrocyte Lineage; A. Rodríguez-Peña, et al. II: Molecular and Biochemical Properties. 7. Characterization of Rat Neural Stem Cells from Embryonic Striatum and Mesencephalon During in Vivo Differentiation; E. Bazán, et al. 8. Expression of Neurotrophins and Their Receptors within Glial Cells of Retina and Optic Nerve; E. Vecino, et al. 9. Expression and Function of Neurotransmitter Receptors in Glial Cells of the Central Nervous System; C. Matute, et al. 10. Role of Astroglia in the Neural Effects of Sex Hormones and Neuroactive Steroids; M. del Carmen Fernández-Galaz, et al. 11. Cytokines and Astroglial Cells: Functions and Mechanisms of Action; F. Molina-Holgado, et al. 12. The Critical Factor for L-DOPA Toxicity on Dopamine Neurons is Glia; M.A. Mena, et al. III: Involvement in Damage and Regeneration. 13. Ethanol Exposure During Brain Development Alters Astrogliogenesis and Astrocyte Functions; J. Renau-Piqueras, etal. 15. Glial Response to Excitotoxic Injury in the Immature Brain; L. Acarín, et al. 16. Effects of Contralateral Lesions and Aging on the Neuronal and Glial Population of the Cerebral Cortex of the Rat; M.A. Peinado, et al. 17. The Role of Schwann Cell in Nerve Regeneration; E. Verdú, X. Navarro. IV: Glia in Pathology. 18. Glial Reactivity in Genetically Determined Disorders of Myelin; J.M. Vela, et al. 19. Glial Changes in Aging and Alzheimer's Disease; M.A. Morán, P. Gómez-Ramos. 20. Adhesion Molecules, Angiogenesis and Malignant Gliomas: Implications for Tumorigenesis; B. Conde, et al. Index.

The studies by Santiago Ram6n y Cajal on astrocytes, and the extense work developed by Pio del Rio Hortega dealing with microglia and oligodendrocytes are with no doubt two important milestones of neurobiology, and specially cf glial research. Since these classical studies, the curiosity for understanding glial cells has continuously grown. During the last two decades, the development of new meth ods of study, including cell culture techniques and the use of histochemical and immunocytochemical markers, has allowed a remarkable advance in this field. This increasing interest is reflected by the creation of local and international glial networks, the publication of the journal Glia, the celebration of periodic interna tional meetings and the publication of extensive books focused on glial cells. In February 1997, with the establishment of the Spanish Glial Network, arose the early idea of publishing a compendium of selected work by Spanish glial research teams, which has fmally materialised in Understanding Glial Cel/s, a book whose objective is to present topics of current interest in glial cell biology.