The rapid growth of the study of apoptosis-mechanism-driven, regulated cell death-has created an urgent need for reliable documentation of the different approaches to and methods of studying the various aspects of the field. Apoptosis in Neurobiology is an important resource for researchers in this emerging frontier of biomedical study. This volume allows the uninitiated neuroscientist intellectual and practical access to the study of apoptosis, with special consideration to the nervous system. The first section concentrates on conceptual approaches to the study of apoptosis in neurobiology and its significance to the nervous system. The second section provides a user-friendly approach to methods and techniques in the study of apoptosis as applied to neurobiology.Preface Diseases and Concepts Introduction: Occurrence, Mechanisms, and Role of Apoptosis in Neurobiology and in Neurologic Disorders, R.-M. Boustany and Y.A. Hannun Cell Death in the Developing Nervous System, V. Narayanan Neurodegenerative Disorders, D. Schmechel Neurooncology and Cancer Therapy, N.F. Schor Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I, H.A. Gelbard The Role of Proteases in Neuronal Apoptosis, S. Kaufmann Molecular Mechanisms in the Activation of Apoptotic and Anti-Apoptotic Pathways by Ceramide, R. Dobrowsky Methods Assessment of Cell Viability and Histochemical Methods in Apoptosis, K. Puranam and R.-M. Boustany Assessment of Ultrastructural Changes Associated with Apoptosis, D. Schmechel Flow Cytometry in the Study of Apoptosis, M. Smyth Methods Used to Study Protease Activation During Apoptosis, S. Kaufmann Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for the Measurement of Ceramide, R. Dobrowsky In Vivo Neuronal Targeting of Genes, A. Amalfitano... a nice introduction to the field of neuronal apoptosis and to methods for identifying apoptotic cells. ... the editor and authors are to be commendedl.