Advances in Research on Neurodegeneration

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th From November 20 to 23, 1997 the 6 International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration was held in Kitzbtihel, Austria, to explore recent ad­ vances in the treatment of neurodegenerative and neuroimmunological CNS diseases. Following the tradition of the previous conferences a select group of distinguished basic researchers and clinicians spent two days in the quiet Austrian mountain resort with in depth review and discussion of current topics in the fields of neurodegeneration and neuroimmunology focussing on the interface between these two groups of disorders. The main focus was on how to develop new treatment strategies based on current understandings in the molecular biology of maturation of the nervous system and of basic processes governing neurodegenerative disorders, like Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, Huntington's disease and amyotrophic lateral scle­ rosis as well as CNS demyelination in multiple sclerosis. Starting from classical concepts of symptomatic dopamine replacement therapy in Parkinson's dis­ ease, state-of-the-art lectures covered new evolving therapeutic concepts for neurodegenerative disorders: somatic gene therapy, neural transplantation and neuroprotection through pharmacological treatment as well as through deep brain stimulation. The emphasis on restoration as key feature of future neurological therapy was also highlighted in a session on mechanisms of demyelination and strate­ gies for myelin repair in neurological autoimmune disease. The present volume includes updated review articles and original papers th covering the proceedings of the 6 International Winter Conference.

Contenu
Cell differentiation in the embryonic mammalian spinal cord.- Myelin dysfunction/degradation in the central nervous system: why are myelin sheaths susceptible to damage?.- Molecular mimicry and muliple sclerosis a possible role for degenerate T cell recognition in the induction of autoimmune responses.- Dopamine agonists: what is the place of the newer compounds in the treatment of Parkinson's disease?.- Apomorphine has a potent antiproliferative effect on Chinese hamster ovary cells.- Potent neuroprotective and antioxidant activity of apomorphine in MPTP and 6-hydroxydopamine induced neurotoxicity.- Neuroprotective effect of chronic inactivation of the subthalamic nucleus in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.- Antiglutamate therapy of ALS which is the next step?.- Antiglutamate therapies in Huntington's disease.- Neural transplantation in animal models of multiple system atrophy: a review.- Striatal reconstruction by striatal grafts.- Somatic gene therapy in animal models of Parkinson's disease.