Springer Neural Functions of the Delta-Opioid Receptor

This book is the first to summarize the progress of research on neural functions of the the delta opioid receptor (DOR) to date. This receptor, a member of the opioid receptor family, was traditionally thought to be primarily involved in pain modulation. Recent new findings have shown its unique role in neuroprotection and many other functions. Many scientists from a number of independent laboratories have now confirmed that DOR can provide neuroprotection against hypoxic/ischemic injuries. They have also found that it plays a role in a variety of physiological and pathophysiological events such as hypoxic encephalopathy, epilepsy, acupuncture, Parkinson's disease, etc. by regulating ionic homeostasis, glutamate transportation and signaling, and balancing intracellular survival/death signals. The book will provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of DOR research and provide a blueprint for future directions. Review “Recent development in research dedicated to the function of δ-opioid receptors (DORs) is reviewed in this book. … Book may serve for graduated as well as undergraduated students who wish to get better insight into topics covered by individual chapters. It will be indispensable reference book for scientists working on any aspect of opioid research.” (Lubica Lacinova, General Physiology and Biophysics, Vol. 35 (4), 2016) From the Back Cover This is the first book to summarize the progress of research on the delta opioid receptor (DOR) to date. This receptor, a member of the opioid receptor family, was not studied at all until the 1990s when some researchers began looking into the role that it plays in neuroprotection and other functions. Many scientists from a number of independent labs have now confirmed that DOR can provide neuroprotection from hypoxic/ischemic injuries. They have also found that it plays a role in physiological and pathophysiological events such as hypoxic encephalopathy, epilepsy, acupuncture, Parkinson's disease, etc. by regulating membrane proteins and balancing intracellular survival/death signals. The book provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of research and provide a blueprint for future directions. About the Author Dr. Ying Xia is Professor and Vice-Chairman for Research of the Department of Neurosurgery at The University of Texas Medical School at Houston, and Professor of Neuroscience at The University of Texas at Houston Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. He obtained his medical training at Soochow Medical College, China and his Master Degree of Medicine and Doctoral Degree of Medical Science (Ph.D.) in Neurobiology and Integrative Medicine at Shanghai Medical University, China. Dr. Xia joined Yale University School of Medicine for his postdoctoral training and established his laboratory at Yale. During his 22-year academic career at Yale University School of Medicine, he was appointed as a faculty member in 1993 and promoted to Associate Professor in 2002. He joined the University of Texas Medical School at Houston in May 2010. Dr. Xia’s research has been consecutively supported by various funding agencies such as NIH, America Heart Association, March of Dimes Foundation, Cerebral Palsy Foundation and The Vivian L. Smith Neurologic Foundation since the establishment of his laboratory. He has been invited to deliver speeches by many academic institutions and international conferences. He is a reviewer for many international journals and serves as a grant reviewer for NIH, US National Science Foundation, other American and European foundations, Hong Kong University Grants Committees, and Natural Science Foundation of China.