Since the last major compendium dedicated to cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) was published over 15 years ago, an enormous amount of progress has occurred in the field. The number of identified PDEs has doubled, their roles in intracellular communication have begun to be understood, and several PDE inhibitors have entered the pharmaceutical market with huge commercial success. There is great need for a centralized source for key information in this burgeoning and therapeutically important area of medical research. "Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases in Health and Disease" provides an integrated volume covering PDE biology from genes to organisms. It examines phosphodiesterases as pharmacological targets as well as the development of specific PDE inhibitors as therapeutic agents. With contributions from pioneers in the field, individual chapters describe one of the 11 known mammalian PDE families including the molecular characteristics, structure, function, and traits unique to each. Characteristics of PDEs from lower organisms are also the subject of other chapters since they provide key insights into PDE functions and are also pharmacological targets for treatment of a variety of diseases in humans and domestic animals. Chapters on the current biomedical and therapeutic research on PDEs include studies on gene-targeted knockout strategies and compartmentation in cyclic nucleotide signaling. By unraveling the unique cellular roles for different PDEs, scientists are beginning to open the door to the therapeutic use of PDE inhibitors for the treatment of a number of pathological conditions including asthma and inflammation, pulmonary hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and stroke. By collating current information into a coherent and coordinated perspective, "Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases in Health and Disease" provides an invaluable reference for industry and clinical scientists and points toward future directions of research and therapeutic advancements in developing selective inhibitors for these various enzymes.