9724171 Yu This Conference entitled, "Sphingolipids as Signaling Modulators in the Nervous System" will take place from July 13 - 17, 1997, at the New York University Las School, New York City. Historically, sphingolipids have been of interest to neuroscientists and neurologists because of their involvement in lipid storage diseases and other disorders affecting the nervous system. More recent investigations have focused on questions of basic biological functions, such as the physiological roles of these molecules in neuronal differentiation, regeneration, and trophic assisted cell survival. Sphingolipid involvement in such processes has been shown to include a number of signal transduction mechanisms as well as protein modulatory effects. Sphingomyelinase, for example, when activated by cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor, converts sphingomyelin to ceramide which then functions as an active second messenger triggering such processes as proliferation and apoptotic cell death. Sphingosine, sphingosine phosphate and ceramide phosphate are also recognized as intracellular messengers exerting a variety of effects on cell proliferation and differentiation. Gangliosides as a class of sphingolipids are well recognized neurotrophic factors which function as neuroprotective agents in a variety of in vitro and in vivo systems. Numerous studies have indicated their role as modulatory agents to a variety of membrane enzymes, receptors, ion channels and adhesion factors. They are now being actively studied as potential pharmaceutical agents for treatment of specific neurological disorders including Parkinson's disease, spinal cord injury and stroke. Presentations from basic scientists on the biochemical/cell biological aspects of gangliosides and other sphingolipids will focus on possible mechanisms to account for the trophic, neuroprotective properties of these substances. The immunogenic potential of gangliosides and sulfated glycosphingolipids in promoti ng neurological dysfunction will be explored, a key question being whether or not this invalidates use of these substances as therapeutic agents. As in past sphingolipid meetings, we anticipate stimulating interchanges between research scientists and clinicians concerning basic mechanisms and the biomedical potentials of sphingolipids.
