The 10th International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration (lWCN) has taken place from February 14-16,2002, at the lovely "SchloB Ziethen", an old prussian manor (in Prussia, 'faute de mieux', called 'SchloB', i. e. cas- tle or residence). This place is 20 km off Tegel Airport, Berlin's main airport, and has been beautifully restored by baroness Edith von Thiingen (nee von BUlow, i. e. of historical Prussian aristocracy); it lends itself rather perfectly for the IWCN type of small interdisciplinary workshops on neurodegenera- tion which combine short lectures with plenty of discussion. In this context, we could quote Alexander von Humboldt's famous opening words for one of the first international scientific meetings held at Berlin, on September 18, 1828: "The main purpose ...does not consist in a mutual reading of manuscripts all to be printed after at least one year in specialised publications, but in the personal communication amongst those who work in similar scientific fields; the oral and thus more stimulating exchange of ideas, might they represent facts, opinions or doubts; the foundation of friendly relations which convey illumination to our sciences, serene grace to our lives and tolerance and mildness to our habits . ..Berlin, Sept. 18, 1828 Alexander von Humboldt To the IWCN aficionado, it may come as a little surprise that this is the pub- lication of the 10th Winter Conference as this might mean that they must have missed number 9.

The 10th International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration (lWCN) has taken place from February 14-16,2002, at the lovely "SchloB Ziethen," an old prussian manor (in Prussia, 'faute de mieux', called 'SchloB', i. e. cas tle or residence). This place is 20 km off Tegel Airport, Berlin's main airport, and has been beautifully restored by baroness Edith von Thiingen (nee von BUlow, i. e. of historical Prussian aristocracy); it lends itself rather perfectly for the IWCN type of small interdisciplinary workshops on neurodegenera tion which combine short lectures with plenty of discussion. In this context, we could quote Alexander von Humboldt's famous opening words for one of the first international scientific meetings held at Berlin, on September 18, 1828: "The main purpose . . . does not consist in a mutual reading of manuscripts all to be printed after at least one year in specialised publications, but in the personal communication amongst those who work in similar scientific fields; the oral and thus more stimulating exchange of ideas, might they represent facts, opinions or doubts; the foundation of friendly relations which convey illumination to our sciences, serene grace to our lives and tolerance and mildness to our habits . . . Berlin, Sept. 18, 1828 Alexander von Humboldt To the IWCN aficionado, it may come as a little surprise that this is the pub lication of the 10th Winter Conference as this might mean that they must have missed number 9."

The 8th International Winter Conference on Neurodegeneration from Febru- ary 9 to 13, 2000 took place in Tegernsee, Bavaria, Germany. The interest shown in this symposium, which was carried by invited speakers only, was striking. 28 lectures in 5 sessions dealt with themes on basic science and therapy strategies for neurodegenerative illness. This time especially basic mechanism of cell death and resulting causal treatment possibilities were centre themes of the lectures and lively discussions. In accordance with tradi- tion 5 lectures on Multiple Sclerosis finished the convention. 60 scientists from 13 countries discussed current questions to these themes. The Symposium started with a lecture on the history of the develop- ment of modern-L-DOPA-therapy. Lectures on cell death of dopaminergic nerve cells, new valuation regarding assembly, built up and function of neuromelanin of Substantia nigra and with this, the question of the physio- logic and pathobiochemical role of dopamine and neuromelanin built the first block of themes which consequently extended to molecular and genetic aspects of cell death. Highlights of the symposium were neuroprotective and neuroregenerative future therapy strategies together with discussions on the difficulties of clinical neuroprotection. Developmental biological aspects on nerve cells, reorganisation and neurodegeneration showed a stimulating point of view of momentary and future development possibilities of new and more causal forms of therapy of neurodegenerative illness.

Volume 5 of the series "Advances in Research on Neurodegeneration" is concerned with themes which are currently the focus of intensive research, and in which advances in our understanding of the pathological mechanisms un derlying neurodegenerative diseases are expected in the near future. The first section contains five reviews devoted to the various neuroimaging technolo gies. The discussion is concerned with the question of whether neuroimaging techniques make it possible to follow the process of degeneration as it occurs, and which methods offer the required sensitivity and quantifiability for this purpose. However, the question needs to be examined of whether, given the physical and chemical limitations of these techniques, even under optimal conditions, anatomical resolution can be improved to the extent that neuro degenerative diseases can be diagnosed earlier than currently possible and a confident diagnosis made. The possibilities of using neuroimaging techniques to provide information regarding the effects of neuroprotective or neuroregen erative therapeutic strategies, and for correlating the results of neuropsycho logical research with imaging data are also discussed. The second section is concerned with the significance of endogenous or exogenous neurotoxins as triggers for neurodegenerative processes that may lead to Parkinsonism. Vulnerability factors, which include such factors as nerve ending sensitivity, the synergistic effects of drugs and the various mechanisms underlying different toxins are discussed."