In the last few years, considerable attention has been paid to the presence of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and their binding proteins (IGF-BPs) in the brain and peripheral neuronal tissue. IGFs are synthesized within the CNS, are bound to specific IGF-BPs and act on specific receptors. They represent a new class of growth factors and messengers in the brain and the periphery. Written by a group of outstanding experts in the field, the book provides an invaluable forum where important aspects of the production, regulation, biological actions, pathophysiological involvement, therapeutic applications for IGFs in many neurologic and neuromuscular disorders are addressed and critically evaluated.

New Experimental Models for the Study of IGF and IGF-Binding Protein Action in the Brain.- The Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Receptor and the Central Nervous System: Mechanisms Involved in the Prevention of Apoptosis.- IGF-I in Neuronal Differentiation and Neuroprotection.- Insulin-like Growth Factor I: Regulation and Interactions During Aging-Induced Cognitive Decline and Impairment Within the Hippocampus.- The Role of IGF-I in Cerebellar Granule Cell Survival and Terminal Differentiation.- Regulation of Oligodendrocyte Development and CNS Myelination by IGF-I: Prospects for Disease Therapy.- IGF-I and Glycosaminoglycans Improve Peripheral Nerve Regeneration and Motor Neuron Survival in Models of Motor Neuron Disease.- The Potential of IGF-I as a Neuronal Rescue Agent.- Neurobiology of rhIGF-l: Rationale for Use in Motor Neuron Disease.- Neurobiology of rhIGF-I: Rationale for Use in Motor Neuron Disease.- Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Effects on ADP-Ribosylation Processes and Interactions with Glucocorticoids during Maturation and Differentiation of Astroglial Cells in Primary Culture.- Anti Insulin-like Growth Factor I Antibodies Affect Locomotion and Passive Avoidance Performances in Sprague-Dawley Rats.- Neuroprotective Effect of GPE Pretreatment on Rat Hippocampal Organotypic Cultures Exposed to NMDA.- Expression of IGF-I and IGF-I Receptor mRNA in Sural Nerves of Diabetic Patients.