Synopses & Reviews
There is an increasing body of literature suggesting that at some stage during the development of most human diseases free radicals may be involved,and therefore retarded by antioxidants. Although in some cases this evidenceis only circumstantial, it is becoming overwhelming. In particular, certain brain disorders and aging itself appear to involve free radicals and free radical reactions in generating damage associated with chronic degenerative disorders. With respect to the brain, examples are epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, tardive dyskinesia, aging of the brain, and others. Thus, the idea that antioxidant intervention may help to prevent or retard brain disorders is an area of increasing interest. As a result, this book should find wide interest in the biomedical field and is of particular importance for the neurosciences.
Synopsis
Free radicals appear to play a mojor role in many neurological (and non- neurological) dieseases. Both acute and degenerative disorders are thought to involve free radicals reactions in tissue injury (for a list see this book page 18). This issue is very important for basic science and for therapeuthic approach as well. In order to review and discuss the place of free radicals in psychiatry and neurology, a joint meeting was initiated by the World Health Organization and the Fondation Ipsen in Paris on June 17-18,1991. This book contains the papers presented during this meeting. Although the papers included in this volume have been produced in the framework of WHO/Fondation Ipsen review of knowledge about free radicals and brain disorders, they express the views of the individual authors rather than a consensus of the participants at the meeting. They do not necessarily represent the decision or stated policy of the World Health Organiszation or the Fondation Ipsen. The editors wish to express their appreciation to Mrs Mervaillie for the organization of the meeting and Mrs M.-L. Gage for her editorial assis- tance. L. Packer, L. Prilipko, Y Christen Contents Free Radical Scavengers and Antioxidants in Prophylaxy and Treatment of Brain Diseases L. Packer ........................................... 1 Reactive Oxygen Species and the Central Nervous System B. Halliwell .... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 . . . . . . . . .