Chairpersons：

Tomoaki Shirao
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Kazunori Nakajima
Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Keio University

Chairpersons：

Masami Murakami
Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Tomoko Tashiro
Department of Chemistry and Biological Science, Sch. Science and Engineering, Aoyama Gakuin University

Outline：

Thyroid hormone is essential for the proper development of the nervous system. Precise mechanisms controlling its cell-specific and temporally regulated action, however, are only beginning to be understood. In this symposium, Dr. Forrest will first focus on the specific role of thyroid hormone receptor b2 (TRb2) in generating photoreceptor diversity during retinal development. Importance of the local production of transcriptionally active T3 by type 2 deiodinase is then highlighted by two recent studies on CNS development.

Chairpersons：

Masaaki Ikeda
Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Saitama Medical University

Satoshi Kida
Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture

Outline（in Japanese）：

生物は生体内の恒常性の維持と環境への適応能力を発生・進化の過程で獲得してきている。生物界の淘汰の原理を考えた時、地球の自転によって作られる光や温度環境の24時間リズムや、公転によって作られる季節のリズムへの生物の適応は、生体内に24時間のリズムを取り込むことや季節のリズムを測るシステムを取り込むことによって実現され、これらのシステムを獲得出来た生物だけが地球上に生き残り、さらに進化とともに飛躍的に環境適応能を向上させて来たと考えられる。また、このリズムシステムの破綻により季節性うつ病や睡眠・概日リズム障害などの疾患が発症したとも考えられる。
本シンポジウムでは環境リズムと適応を司る分子に焦点をあて、生物の環境適応の基本原理とその破綻による神経系疾患の病態を探る。

Chairpersons：

Yasuki Ishizaki
Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Kazunobu Sawamoto
Department of Developmental and Regenerative Biology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences

Outline：

It has been revealed and attracted great attention that neural cells exert significant effects on vascular cells and vice versa not only during development but also in the adult central nervous system (CNS). In this symposium, we will overview forefronts of the study on interactions between neural and vascular cells during development and in the adult CNS. This symposium, we hope, will spur our understanding of neuro-vascular interactions.

Chairpersons：

Yoshio Ikeda
Department of Neurology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Outline：

　Members of hereditary neuromuscular disorders caused by the expansions of various microsatellite repeat motifs are growing. They are classified into two categories based on the location of repeat expansions in the genes, one is the expansions in the coding region, and the other is that in the non-coding region. Recent progress in research on the molecular pathogenesis of the disorders caused by the microsatellite repeat expansions in the non-coding regions is discussed in this symposium.

Chairpersons：

Schuichi Koizumi
Department of Neuropharmacology, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine, University of Yamanashi

Hiroaki Wake
Division of Homeostatic Development, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, NINS

Outline：

Thanks to recent new technological progresses such as glia-targeted optogenetics or transgenic animals, we now understand several novel functions of glial cells in physiological conditions. However, we still do not know whether dysfunction of these glial cells would directly cause several brain diseases. Are glial cells actually required for brain functions or dysfunctions? In this symposium, we visualize and manipulate glial functions by using newly developed techniques, and will answer such the question.

Chairpersons：

Nozomu Mori
Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Nagasaki University School of Medicine

Hiroshi Ueda
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutic Innovation, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki

Outline：

Silencing and/or inhibition play crucial roles in balancing the neural network activity, and it is also true in the gene regulation during neural development and neuronal lineage determination. Neural-restrictive silencing factor (NRSF), also known as RE-1 silencing transcription factor (REST), is an essential factor for neuronal differentiation, but recent evidence suggests that it also plays unexpected critical roles during brain aging. NRSF/REST, thus, exerts wider roles than previously thought. In this symposium, we will overview and discuss recent findings on NRSF/REST from in silico, and/or in invertebrate, and to in vertebrate biology, both in and outside the nervous system.

Chairpersons：

Yuta Ishizuka
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Naomasa Kakiya
Proteolytic Neu. Sci., RIKEN BSI. Sci. Inst.

Outline：

It is known that neuronal loss is found in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. Although several mechanisms have been suggested, the underlying mechanisms of neuronal cell death remains unclear. Recently, some molecules has been noticed as new therapeutic targets. In this session, we focus on the molecules which might be the therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Chairpersons：

Akiko Tabuchi
Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama

Shin-ichi Hisanaga
Department of Biological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University

Outline：

Considering it has become more and more active in the field of Neurochemistry of Asian-Pacific regions, this international joint symposium between Asia-Pacific Society for Neurochemistry (APSN) and Japanese Society for Neurochemistry (JSN) is organized. We invited four outstanding scientists from these regions, who made novel discoveries of fundamental and neuronal roles of proteins which were firstly identified in non-neuronal cells. Through their presentations, we would like to have an opportunity to strongly facilitate scientific communication between Asian and Pacific regions.

Chairpersons：

Yoshio Minabe
Department of Psychiatry & Neurobiology, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University Graduate School of Medicine

Takeo Yoshikawa
Laboratory for Memory Mechanisms, RIKEN Brain Science Institute

Outline：

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders（ASD）is dramatically increasing in these couple of decades. Several factors are deemed to underlie this surge including the penetration of consensus diagnostic criteria, parental（in particular paternal）ages at birth and others. The onset increase of ASD is a big burden not only for persons’ families concerned but also for a society. In this symposium, we would like to discuss about the pathophysiology of ASD from the viewpoint of basic neurobiology to clinical characteristics.

Chairpersons：

Sayaka Sugiyama
Lab. Neuronal Dev., Grad. Sch. Med. and Dent. Sci., Niigata University,

Kazuyuki Imamura
Dept. Systems Life Engineering, Maebashi Institute of Technology

Outline：

Neuronal modulation plays a crucial role in central vision. In the present symposium, cutting edge research on mechanisms of modulation of central vision will be discussed. Modulation of the cortex by electrical stimulation of the retina or thalamus induces intriguing changes in visual cognition and behavior. The modulatory effects of central aminergic and cholinergic systems will also be presented. The regulation of ocular dominance plasticity by Otx2-inducible molecules will be discussed in the context of activity-dependent regulation of central synapses.

Chairpersons：

Yuko Sekino
Division of Pharmacology, National Institute of Health Sciences

Norimasa Miyamoto
Biopharmaceutical Core Function Unit

Outline：

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have opened the door to the new phase of the in vitro CNS non-clinical study because we had never had a chance so far to use human neurons in the drug development. On the other hand, the molecular mechanisms underlying the higher order brain functions have been increasingly elucidated these days. Now is the time to discuss about the potentials of hiPSC-derived neurons in the in vitro non-clinical study.

Chairpersons：

Makoto Osanai
Radiological Imaging and Informatics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine

Hiroyuki Ohta
Department of Physiology, National Defense Medical College

Outline：

Temporal structure within neural circuit activities is important in CNS processing. We will introduce 1) slow oscillation in the basolateral amygdala and its modification by stress, 2) spontaneous oscillation of intracellular calcium signals in the striatum, 3) rhythmic activities in hippocampal seizure model, 4) slow persistent activities in the striatum. Each topic provides specific as well as general physiological meanings, hopefully leading to basic principles of neural processing from system’s and molecular-cellular point of view.

Chairpersons：

Shigeru Saito
Department of Anesthesiology, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Outline：

Pain management is one of the most fundamental medico-social problems in human society. Although there are many successful reports in basic science regarding pain mechanism, patients suffering from acute or chronic pain are not necessarily satisfied by currently available therapeutics. Novel approaches beyond anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids are attracting attention both from patients and scientists. In this symposium, four scientists disclose their most recent investigations mentioning its potential impact on clinical breakthrough.

Chairpersons：

Tomoaki Shirao
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Keiichi Uyemura
Department of Physiology, Keio University School of Medicine

Descripsiton：

In this round table discussion, each discussant will present a topic concerning history and future of JSN and ISN, then all participants including audiences from floor discuss it freely. The topics are followings：1）Outline of history of JSN（K. Uyemura）, 2）The early stage of JSN（M. Satake）, 3）History of ISN and J. Neurochem.（K. Suzuki）, 4）Contributions of Japanese to ISN （E. Miyamoto）, 5）History and future of Asian Pacific Society for Neurochemistry（APSN）（K. Ikenaka）, 6）Recent problems of JSN （T. Shirao）,7）Hopeful future of JSN（H. Kiyama）.

Chairpersons：

Mamoru Fukuchi
Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toyama

Yo Shinoda
Department of Applied Biological Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science

Outline：

It is common knowledge that BDNF plays a crucial role in controlling a variety of neural functions. Since dysregulation of BDNF expression, secretion, and function is associated with neural and psychiatric diseases, BDNF is one of the therapeutic targets for neural disorders. Therefore, it is quite important to understand the regulation of BDNF expression, secretion, and function in the nervous systems. The aim of this mini-symposium is to share the knowledge of the BDNF regulation mechanisms.

Chairpersons：

Seiji Hitoshi
Department of Integrative Physiology Shiga University of Medical Science

Outline：

The aim of this symposium will be to discuss the latest hot topics of neurochemical basis for the pathogenesis of neurological and psychiatric diseases, especially epigenetic modifications that result in aberrant gene expression patterns found in the diseases. The symposium, which covers the pathogenesis, modification of disease course and potential therapeutic applications, will appeal to a broad audience including from basic researchers of neuroscience and genome science to neurologists and psychiatrists.

Chairpersons：

Kozo Kaibuchi
Department of Cell Pharmacology Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine

Mutsuki Amano
Department of Cell Pharmacology Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine

Outline：

Higher brain functions such as expressions and memories of emotions are controlled by neural circuits, which are regulated by neurotransmitters including glutamate, GABA and monoamines. Although the roles of some intracellular signals of the neurotransmitters are becoming clear, many questions about the intracellular signals that are relevant to the higher brain functions remain largely unknown. In this symposium, we aim to discuss the information that will allow us to understand the mechanisms that control the higher brain functions.

Chairpersons：

Thomas J. McHugh
Lab for Circuit & Behavioral Physiology, RIKEN Brain Science Institute

Noriko Koganezawa
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine

Outline：

CA2 has gained new attention due to growing evidence suggesting that this region may play an unexpected role in hippocampal function. Neurons in CA2 uniquely express multiple receptors and signaling proteins that endow this area with unique plasticity properties in comparison with areas CA1 and CA3. Furthermore, area CA2 contains a high density of interneurons that are uniquely altered during psychiatric pathologies including schizophrenia. In this symposium we would like to highlight and share discoveries in the understanding of area CA2 from various perspectives.

Chairpersons：

Hirohide Takebayashi
Division of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata University

Junji Yamauchi
Department of Pharmacology, National Center for Child Health and Development

Outline：

Glial cells have been believed to be space-occupying cells between neurons in the nervous system, however, recent studies suggest that they are actually involved in higher brain function and also pathogenesis of neurological disorders. In this symposium, four researchers will present their recent works on involvement of glial cells (astrocyte, microglia, oligodendrocyte) in neurological disorders.

Chairpersons：

Tsuyoshi Miyakawa
Division of Systems Medical Science, Institute for Comprehensive Medical Science, Fujita Health University

Hiroyuki Nawa
Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University