Neural Transplantation: A Report on the IVth International Symposium

The IVth International Symposium on Neural Transplantation consisted of a total of 330 papers, including 236 submitted papers. Of the submitted papers, 27 were selected for oral presentation and 209 were chosen for poster presentation. In addition, there were 94 invited oral presentations. The total number of papers in the symposium series continues to increase, from 215 papers presented in Rochester in 1987 and the 233 papers presented in Cambridge in 1989, representing a remarkable continued increase in participation and expansion of the field. The overall quality of the material presented was outstanding, and there was a substantial participation of scientists from various fields related to neural transplantation, including studies of neurotrophins and other growth factors, CNS immunology, and brain development. The following report represents a selective discussion of papers which were presented at the meeting. The amount of material presented was vast, and no attempt has been made to be comprehensive. Thus it should be emphasized that many outstanding papers are not included in the present report. Apologies are extended to the numerous participants whose papers are not described herein. Citations are given to the abstracts (Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, Volume 4, number 3, July, 1992) and extended abstracts (Journal of Neural Transplantation and Plasticity, Volume 3, number 4, Oct. Dec., 1992), and to other primary sources in some cases. Five abstracts of papers presented at the symposium, which arrived too late for publication, were printed in the meeting program. This summary report covers selected aspects of basic studies, CNS plasticity and development, growth factors, immunology, cell lines, glial cells, studies related to Parkinson’s disease and catecholaminergic cells, Huntington’s disease, cortical function, new models, and pain. Four additional brief summary reports which discuss the sessions on biomaterials and encapsulation, the visual system, new animal models, and spinal cord follow.