A Multidisciplinary Approach To Myelin Diseases Ii

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Myelin Diseases II

The diseases that fall under the generalized group of demyelinating diseases -Multiple Sclerosis, Leukodystrophyes, Encephalomyelitis-are the focus of worldwide concern. This volume contains papers presented by leading scientists who attended the NATO Advanced Research Workshop held at the Istituto Superiore di SanitA, Rome, March 1-4, 1993. This book is an update of the previous one published in 1987 of the research discussed at a similar meeting held in 1986. It was decided to hold this 2nd meeting since there has been great progress in the advances in understanding the myelinogenesis process in the last five years. The workshop gathered together scientists from many fields such as cellular and molecular biology, immunology, pathology, virology and of course clinical neurology. Stimulating ideas were exchanged in the hope that more knowledge of demyelinating diseases can lead to new theraupetic approaches. Although the workshop was on the whole similar to the previous one, this time there was more emphasis on experimental models and clinical aspects. In the former the use of animal and cellular models as tools for understanding the pathological mechanisms linked to human disease were discussed; in the latter the clinicians described the filtering down of basic research to clinical treatment The publication of this interdisciplinary exchange is to make known the results of the most recent research among the investigators from allover the world involved in these studies.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Myelin Diseases II

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Myelin Diseases

The present book is based on the papers presented during an inter disciplinary meeting which was held in Rome October 27-30, 1986, at the Istituto Superiore di Sanita under the sponsorship of NATO, and with a financial contribution of the Cassa di Risparmio di Roma. The meeting was of great interest because, for the first time, a group of highly qualified scientists specializing in different fields were gathered together to discuss the problem of demyelinating diseases. In thi. context molecular biologists, immunologists, virologists, and lipid chemists could discuss with clinicians for four days every aspect of demyelinating diseases. They shared results of the more recent research with the hope that more knowledge of the myelinating process will eventually succeed in finding new treatments for these diseases. The meeting was successful, perhaps in part because discussions during lunches and dinners provided an opportunity for the exchange of new ideas. This was apparent in the discussions held after the presen tation of each paper and was summarized in the very lively round table which was held on the last day. The editor wishes to express his thanks to the scientific committee members: N. Baumann, C. Fieschi, G. Macchi, J.M. Matthieu, K. Suzuki. It was their advice that made the choice of participants and subjects so successful. The organizer also acknowledge the organizing support of NATO in preparing these proceedings. Acknowledgments have to be offered to Dr. S. Salvati, Dr. A.M.