Neurochemical Systems and Signaling: From Molecules to Networks

The human brain is made up of billions of neurons that communicate with each other through chemical messengers, which are referred to as neuroactive substances. These neuroactive substances include neurotransmitters, neuromodulators, and neurohormones. Some neurotransmitters also act as neuromodulators and neurohormones. It is unlikely that there would ever be a consensus about the meanings of these neuroactive substances, including neurotransmitters, since the term ‘neurotransmitter’ has traditionally been used very loosely indeed, to include neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and neuromodulators. Any alterations in the functioning of these neuroactive substances can cause diseases.

The brain is the ultimate center that regulates all neurological and behavioral aspects of the body through neuronal communications mediated via various neurochemicals. Thus, neurological and psychiatric disorders are, in most cases, the result of disturbed neurochemical balance. Besides the multifaceted involvement of billions of neuronal cells, the central nervous system is a complex organization with a diverse number of neurotransmitter systems, as compared to the autonomic nervous system, in which the parasympathetic system works on the ‘rest and digest’ phenomenon, and the sympathetic system works on the ‘fight or flight’ phenomenon. There are more than 20 neurotransmitter systems and multiple receptors for each neurotransmitter. Any alterations in neurochemical balance are expressed in the form of neurological or psychiatric disorders such as epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, psychosis, depression, etc. Acetylcholine, noradrenaline, dopamine, and 5-HT are of the utmost importance among neurotransmitters for their profound role in the pathogenesis of various neurological and psychiatric disorders in humans. Yet the involvement of various proteins and peptides, such as neurotrophic factors, growth factors, and endogenous chemical compounds, cannot be ignored.

Day by day, the suffering of people due to an imbalance of neurotransmitters is increasing. Various factors, for example stress, diet, genetics, and toxins such as alcohol and nicotine, contribute to this imbalance. This imbalance may lead to mental health complaints. The main purpose of this book is to give a comprehensive overview of the neurological diseases associated with neurochemical imbalances. This book will help readers gain a comprehensive understanding of neuronal signaling and related neurological disorders, as well as status and future opportunities and challenges. It will provide a brief account of neurotransmission, as either a study or high-yield revision aid.

Dr. Ghulam Md Ashraf is working as an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, and Sharjah Institute for Medical Research, University of Sharjah, Sharjah United Arab Emirates. He has a PhD degree in Biochemistry with over twelve years of teaching and research experience in various disciplines of biological and medical sciences. Dr. Ashraf has taught various subjects like Biochemistry, Biology, Clinical Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Genetics, Immunology, Intellectual Property Rights, Introduction to Research, Molecular Biology, Neurology, Recombinant DNA, and Research Methods Technology at graduate and post-graduate levels.

His primary fields of research are biochemistry and neurology, currently focusing on understanding the molecular and behavioral mechanism of effects of anti-diabetic drugs in pyschotic and dementia conditions. Dr. Ashraf’s lab is currently investigating the effect of anti-diabetic drugs in the possible attenuation/reversal of anti-psychotic drugs induced weight gain in psychotic conditions. He is also investigating molecular and behavioral mechanisms of novel therapeutic combinations in multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Ashraf has published 398 research articles (citations: 9928, H-index: 53, i10 index: 208) and have been involved in 25 research grants [4 ongoing (1 PI, 3 CoI) and 21 completed (17 PI, 4 CoI)]. He has supervised 3 PhD, 2 masters and 7 bachelor students in their research projects. Dr. Ashraf has served as examiner of 9 PhD and master theses and have assessed 4 research grant applications.

Dr. Ashraf is also involved extensively in editorial roles in renowned scientific journals like Journal of Advanced Research (Associate Editor), Scientific Reports (Senior EBM), PLoS One (Academic Editor), Current Neuropharmacology (Section Editor) and Disease Markers (Academic Editor). He has to his credit 359 Publons verified editor records, and 609 Publons verified reviewer records. Dr. Ashraf has been involved as guest editor of 21 special issues in reputed international journals. He is professionally associated with the Royal Society of Medicine (Fellow), Royal Society of Biology (Member), American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (Member) and Canadian Association of Neuroscience (Member).

For his scientific contributions, Dr. Ashraf was approved as a subject of biographical record in Marquis Who's Who in the World (2020). Dr. Ashraf has been recognized as Expertscape World Expert in Alzheimer’s disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Most recently, he has been listed in Top 2% Scientists Worldwide for two consecutive years (2020 and 2021), announced by Stanford-Elsevier BV (Baas et al., 2021).

Orcid: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9820-2078

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=16444016700

Web of Science: https://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/H-9485-2012

Google scholar: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=-fOCOTQAAAAJ&hl=en