This comprehensive encyclopedia supplies the reader with concise information on the molecular pathophysiology of disease. Entries include defined diseases (such as Parkinson's disease) as well as pathophysiological entities (such as tremor). The 1,200 essays are brilliantly structured to allow rapid retrieval of the desired information. For more detailed reading, each entry is followed by up to five references. Individual entries are written by leading experts in the respective area of research to ensure state-of-the-art descriptions of the mechanisms involved. It is an invaluable companion for clinicians and scientists in all medical disciplines.
Pathophysiology describes mechanisms of disease and is thus at the interface between basic research and clinical medicine. The aim of this comprehensive encyclopedia is to supply the reader with concise information on molecular pathophysiology, a research area of breathtaking gain of knowledge. We trust that the book shall be a valuable companion for both basic scientists exploring the clinical hallmarks of the diseases they are interested in, and clinicians searching for insight into the molecular pathophysiology of their patients. The entries are structured to allow rapid retrieval of the desired information. For more detailed reading, each entry is followed by key references.
The editor is indebted to the section editors for their superb support in selecting the appropriate entries and choosing the leading experts in the respective areas of research. The editor further wishes to express his appreciation to the many brilliant authors who delivered outstanding state-of-the-art descriptions of pathophysiological mechanisms. In addition, the book would not have come to reality without the dedicated, professional and creative support of my secretaries Tanya Loch and Jasmin Bühringer and by several staff members of the Springer Publishing house including Dr. Michaela Bilic, Jana Simniok, Hiltrud Wilbertz, Dr. Rolf Lange, and Dr. Thomas Mager.
FLORIAN LANG, March 2008
