Dear Friends and Colleagues,

The objective of this symposium is to present new insights and concepts gained through recent research in brain diseases. 
Leading scientists from around the globe will review the latest experimental and clinical findings on the diverse mechanisms with which the central nervous system (CNS) responds to injury, 
and will explore therapeutic interventions aimed at promoting functional recovery. 
The focus of the symposium will be on the culmination of intensive research efforts carried out during the "Decade of the Brain - (1990-2000)." Lecture topics will encompass the involvement of immune response in CNS inflammatory, demyelinating and degenerative disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer's disease, stroke and traumatic
brain injury. 
Special attention will be given to the role of genetic and environmental factors; the pathophysiology of immune-mediated brain injury; blood-brain barrier (BBB) eruption and brain edema; apoptotic mechanisms; cytokines; chemokines; matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs); and the formation of free radicals. Other topics will include repair mechanisms and their potential induction by growth factors; gene therapy and the use of stem cells for CNS remyelination, regeneration, neurogenesis and compensatory plasticity.

Looking forward to welcoming you to Haifa in June.

Yours sincerely,

Ariel Miller, M.D., Ph.D.,
Symposium Chairperson

The Neuroimmunology Unit,
Carmel Medical Center and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology,
Haifa 34672, Israel.
Tel:972-4-8250 851; Fax: 972-4-8250 909
e-mail: millera@tx.technion.ac.il