The broad and long-term goal of the conference is to increase our understanding of the manner in which glial cells interact with one another and with neurons during normal brain function and in neurological diseases. The biology of astrocytes and microglial cells, more than that of oligodendrocytes, is emphasized in this meeting.

Leaders in the field will discuss critical areas of glial research.

The program will have nine sessions that broadly address glia cell involvement in synaptic structure and function, neurogenesis, brain energy metabolism, cerebral blood flow, and some neurological diseases. In addition, two poster sessions will permit all participants to contribute to discussion of these topics. The health relatedness of this meeting is that glial cells participate in many, possibly all, neurological diseases. Discussions about current research will advance our understanding of glial cells in both health and disease. In addition, specific presentations at this conference will focus on the involvement of glial cells in brain development, synaptic transmission, normal and deranged energy metabolism and in the control of cerebral blood flow.