Methods in Neurosciences, Volume 9: Gene Expression in Neural Tissues describes methods for the study of gene expression in neural tissues. Cloning, gene transfer, and Northern blotting for quantifying rare messenger RNAs are considered. The discussions are organized around five themes: expression of specific genes; in situ hybridization; gene transfer; regulation of expression; and general approaches. Comprised of 30 chapters, this volume first examines calbindin D28K gene expression in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and Alzheimer's disease, and the role of calbindin D28K in the etiology and pathogenesis of neurodegeneration in the brain. The reader is then introduced to gene expression of corticotropin-releasing factor, dystrophin, cytokines, and neurotrophic factors. Subsequent chapters focus on the gene expression of rat brain/Hep G2 glucose transporter, insulin-like growth factor II, and neuropeptide Y as well as proopiomelanocortin and neurotrophin receptors. The book also discusses gene regulation analysis by lipopolyamine-mediated DNA transfer in primary neurons; characterization of neuron-specific transcription factors in Drosophila melanogaster; and cloning of dopamine receptors using a homology approach. This monograph will be of interest to students and practitioners in the fields of molecular genetics, microbiology, neuroendocrinology, neurology, and other branches of the neurosciences.