The Role of Innate Immunity, Glia, Neurons, and the Blood-Brain Barrier in the Pathogenesis of Neurodegeneration

It is increasingly being recognized that there is significant interplay between all the different brain cell types including neurons, astrocytes, microglia, pericytes, and endothelial cells that influence neurodegeneration. Not only do these different cell types interact in important ways but fluid flow within brain as well as blood flow play key roles in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Frontotemporal dementia, and Amyotropic Lateral Sclerosis as well as following traumatic brain injury. This GRC aims to assemble leaders in the fields of basic and disease-focused neuroscience, immunology, genetics, cell biology, and clinician-scientists to discuss how alterations in normal biological processes can lead, when altered, to pathophysiological consequences and neurodegeneration. The conference aims to bring together scientists from different disciplines to study important cellular factors, cell-cell interactions, brain fluid flow, blood flow, biomarkers, and novel models to study these issues in the context of normal brain function and in the setting of neurodegeneration. An ultimate goal is that by developing a thorough understanding these issues, better diagnostics and treatments can be developed.