Lausanne, Switzerland
May 29, 2006
A satellite symposium held during the 16th European Neurological Society Meeting
The aim of this symposium is to produce a highly scientific and interesting programme covering the aspects of basic mechanisms underlying brain plasticity in normal and abnormal conditions.
Recent work in neuroscience has shown that the adult central nervous system contains neural progenitors, precursors, and stem cells that are capable of generating new neurons, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. The purpose is to present current knowledge about constitutively occurring adult mammalian neurogenesis, to highlight the critical differences between "neurogenic" and "non-neurogenic" regions in the adult brain.
Spontaneous remyelination occurs in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. However, this process is not robust enough to promote a functional and stable recovery of the myelin architecture in demyelinated areas of the central nervous system (CNS). As a consequence of this incomplete reparative process, the disease invariably progresses and patchy areas of demyelination-in which axonal damage and/or loss is a constant accompanying factor-increase over time and lead to the accumulation of irreversible neurological deficits. Thus, the development of cell-based therapies aimed to promote multifocal remyelination in MS represents one of the most challenging areas of investigation. There are increasing evidences that stem cells may play a major role in supporting normal recovery processes by modifying the local environment in the lesion site.
The possibility of repairing neural circuitry by manipulating neurogenesis is an intriguing one, and, therefore, we also review recent efforts to understand the conditions under which neurogenesis can be induced in non-neurogenic regions of the adult CNS. This work aims toward molecular and cellular manipulation of endogenous neural precursors in situ, without transplantation.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this symposium the participant will be able to:
- To understand basic mechanisms regulating brain plasticity
- To relate adult neurogenesis and brain plasticity
- To evaluate the mechanisms underliying brain repair
- To discuss about potential neural stem cell therapy in demyelinating diseases.
TARGET AUDIENCE
This programme is appropriate for all clinicians and scientists who are interested in neuroscience and brain plasticity
The Royal College of Physician, London, UK, has accredited this Serono Symposia International Foundation (www.seronosymposia.org) symposium “Neurogenesis and brain plasticity” (May 29, 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland) with 1 (one) credit hour (reference number: 30976)
This programme “Neurogenesis and brain plasticity”(May 29, 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland)has been submitted for CME accreditation from the European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (EACCME).
This programme “Neurogenesis and brain plasticity”(May 29, 2006, Lausanne, Switzerland)has been submitted for CME accreditation from the Italian Ministry of Health (Reference Number: 4282-239002).