This year's conference focused on Synaptogenesis and Axonal Pathfinding, and of Molecular and Synaptic Correlates of Neurological and Psychiatric Diseases.

A number of keynote lectures and fourteen symposia outlined the most recent developments in the field and results of distinguished scientists were presented to over one hundred participants including a number of young scientists from 17 countries worldwide.
Nils Brose (Germany) talked about the role of neuroligins in synaptogenesis and synaptic function, and Michael Ehlers (USA) about endosomes as dendritic organelles for synapse plasticity. John Parnavelas (UK) reported about cell and molecular mechanisms involved in the migration of cortical interneurons. Other topics covered by keynote lectures were synaptic signalling in NG2 cells (D. Bergles, USA), different types of astroglial cells in the hippocampus (C. Steinhaeuser, Germany), genomic screen to identify genes required for synapse structure and function (J. Kaplan, USA), the role of reelin in the segregation of hippocampal cells and fibers (M. Frotscher, Germany), regulated SNARE expression for synaptic transmission (M. Wilson, USA) and "olfaction targeted" by P. Mombaerts (USA).
The topics of the symposia included (with the organizers in parentheses):
Vesicular neurotransmitter transporters (N. Brose, Germany), new strategies to enhance cognition (R. Bourtchouladze, USA), cortical circuits: formation and action (N. Yamamoto and J. Staiger, Japan and Germany), molecular and systems mechanisms of consolidation and reactivated memories (KP Giese, UK), synaptic plasticity and glia (S. Hulsmann, Germany), modulation and mechanisms of chronic pain states (G. Bakalkin, Sweden), epilepsia (C. Haas and S. Schwarzacher, Germany), D3 dopamine receptors and drug abuse (C. Heidbreder and R. Spanagel, Italy and Germany), specification of early cortical circuits (Z. Molnar, UK), circadian rhythmicity (G. Schumann, Germany), spinal cord injury - rescue and repair (E. Sykova, Czech Republic), molecular mechanisms of myelinating glia-axon communication (E. Peles, Israel), neurobiology of stress and drug addiction (Z. Sarnyai, UK), and agonist medications for the treatment of cocaine abuse (S. Negus and G. Zernig, USA and Austria).
This conference has been the 7th one on an annual basis in a superb winter resort of the Austrian Alps. The comfortable venue and the relaxed atmosphere ensured a maximum of interference between the distinguished scientists and the other participants even outside the scientific sessions. The next year's 8th International Neuroscience Winter conference will again take place at Central Hotel Sölden in Austria from April 2 - 7, 2005. A number of excellent scientists have already committed their participation for the next conference. Complete information is available on the web at http://www.sambax.com/nwc2006.

7th Neurochemistry Winter Conference 2005
ISN GRANT

USD 7.000,- 1,3 € 5.385,00

Subsidies young scientists
Simone Sartori (AUT) € 290,00 registration
Jose Crespo (Spain) € 290,00 registration
Accommodation Young Scientists € 1.716,00
Sum € 2.296,00
Accommodation expenses
for keynote lecturers € 3.089,00
TOTAL € 5.385,00

Prof. Dr. Alois Saria
2nd May 2005