Nervous System Disorders
The forum promotes partnerships which will lead to a more complete understanding of the agents that damage cells and trigger cell death, as well as the mechanisms that carry out the process. Protein aggregation has an important role in neurodegeneration and is emerging as a common mechanism in several nervous system disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease).
Mental Illness and Addiction
Improved understanding of the nervous system and its role in mental illness and addictive behavior is critical to developing new treatments for these conditions. Especially important is improving the understanding of the neuronal mechanisms that give rise to mental illnesses, increased risk behavior, and resilience. The Forum discusses mechanisms that might take advantage of the evolving nature of science and the opportunities it brings to investigating the brain and behavior using cross disciplinary approaches that expand the understanding of how complex mental illnesses and addictions arise from individual components.
Genetics of Nervous System Disorders
Understanding the roles of genes and their products that control electrical activity, trophic factors, transporters, and receptors is critical to understanding the brain and nervous system. The role of genetics in disease states needs to be more completely understood to develop appropriate treatments and interventions. The forum discusses approaches to better understanding environmental and multigenetic factors that influence susceptibility, progression, and severity of disease.
Cognition and Behavior
Higher brain functions that give rise to language, cognition, memory, and emotion depend on a complex and interdependent set of neuronal pathways. Understanding higher brain functions and their impairment is critical to understanding effective treatments for disease.
Modeling and Imaging
Tools that assist in better understanding of the basic and higher order functions of the brain aid in research and understanding of disorders of the brain. This area will focus on animal and computer models and neuroimaging approaches.
Ethical and Social Issues
The Forum addresses ethical issues relating to the stigma associated with nervous system disorders, mental illness, and addiction in society and the engagement of these patient populations in research efforts. Clinical research will also be examined that elucidates environmental, genetic, social, and cultural risk and protective factors which can guide the development of prevention and early intervention strategies.