Advances in Research on Neurodegeneration: Volume 6

The book contains original articles and reviews presented at the 6th International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration, held from November 20–23, 1997 in Kitzbuhel/Austria. The aim of this conference was to present and discuss recent data on the interface between neuroimmunology and neurodegeneration, in particular susceptibility to autoimmune and neurodegenerative processes, neuroprotection and restorative treatment strategies. These issues were discussed in the light of recent developments in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and multisystem atrophy. The articles highlight topics, which are particularly interesting for the clinician and the neuroscientist. Some of the neuroprotective strategies have already been developed or are at present clinically investigated. The neuroprotective role of deep brain stimulation, antiglutamatergic therapy and apomorphine will be verified in clinical studies in the near future. This is also the case for future therapeutic approaches to restoration of the damaged nervous system, such as somatic gene therapy, implantation of genetically modified cell-lines and medically controlled and directed development of embryonic cells. The conference highlighted the role of the glia, which seems to play a key role, both in traditionally as neuroimmunological and neurodegenerative disorders classified diseases, as indicated above. The topics discussed in the book are significant for recent developments in clinical neurology and neuroscience, as shown in the current literature and at international congresses.