Brain Disease presents new insights and concepts gained through recent research in brain disease. Leading world scientists review the latest experimental and clinical findings on which the central nervous system (CNS) responds to injury. The text focuses on the culmination of research carried out during Decade of the Brain (1990-2000). Chapter topics encompass the mechanisms of CNS disorders such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, stroke and traumatic brain injury. Attention is focused on the role of genetic and environmental factors, pathophysiology of immune-mediated brain injury, blood-brain barrier eruption and brain edema, apoptotic mechanisms, cytokines, chemokines and the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Other topics include repair mechanisms, gene therapy and the use of stem cells for CNS remyelination, regeneration, neurogenesis and compensatory plasticity.