Conference to discuss process of synaptic plasticity in Alzheimer's disease

A panel of experts will convene at the New York Academy of Sciences for a conference on developing new drugs to protect and maintain synaptic function in aging and Alzheimer's disease

Optimal functioning of neural networks is critical to the complex cognitive processes of memory, language, emotion and reasoning that deteriorate in people suffering from Alzheimer's disease. On May 18, 2011, the New York Academy of Sciences and the Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation will bring together expert researchers and physicians for "Targeting Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease", a day-long conference aimed at fostering greater understanding of the mechanisms by which synaptic connections are formed, how they create neural networks, and how this information can be used in the development of new drugs to protect and maintain neuronal function and connectivity. This conference will provide an overview of the process of synaptic plasticity in normal aging and in neurodegenerative disease, and outline new targets for drug discovery.

WHAT: Conference: Targeting Synaptic Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

WHO: Speakers:

Ottavio Arancio, MD, PhD
The Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging Brain, Columbia University

Gilbert Di Paolo, PhD
Columbia University

Vahram Haroutunian, PhD
Mount Sinai School of Medicine

Barbara L. Hempstead, MD, PhD
Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Eric Klann, PhD
New York University

Mark P. Mattson, PhD
National Institute on Aging

Stephen M. Strittmatter, MD, PhD
Yale University School of Medicine

Grace E. Stutzmann, PhD
Rosalind Franklin University / The Chicago Medical School

Lawrence P. Wennogle, PhD
Intra-Cellular Therapeutics

WHEN: Wednesday, May 18, 2011 | 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Networking reception to follow

WHERE: The New York Academy of Sciences
7 World Trade Center, 250 Greenwich St., 40th floor, NYC