Brain Uptake and Utilization of Fatty Acids and Lipids

科学会议“脂肪酸、脂质和脂蛋白的大脑摄取和利用：神经系统疾病的应用（国际研讨会）”将于2004年10月7日至9日在Bethesda Holiday Inn Select举行。目的是研究目前关于脂质，主要是脂肪酸（FA）和脂蛋白如何被大脑吸收和利用的知识状况，为不同背景的参与者提供一个充分交流思想和信息的论坛，并确定未来研究的领域。研讨会主题将包括：FA和脑膜脂质转运；多不饱和脂肪酸（PUFA）的脑代谢，重点是类二十碳烯的生理功能；二十二碳六烯酸（DHA）在神经元和神经元膜中的功能以及DHA和其他PUFA在神经系统疾病中的作用；以及脂质和脂蛋白在过氧化物酶体疾病和阿尔茨海默病中的作用。关于所有细胞通过质膜运输FA的机制的持续分歧和矛盾阻碍了对FA如何进入大脑的清晰理解，其中血脑屏障的存在使这一过程进一步复杂化。阐明脑FA的转运和利用机制对于理解正常大脑发育和功能以及人类神经退行性疾病的诊断和治疗至关重要，其中一些疾病可能适用于无创饮食治疗。这次会议是及时的，因为a)最近建立了几个新的大型中心，对大脑研究有巨大的推动力，b)生物化学、生物物理学、遗传学、神经成像和营养学的进步导致了专业化和信息爆炸。我们建议，通过将这一广泛学科的研究人员和临床医生聚集在一起，可以巩固和加强新的见解，这将促进新信息在人类疾病诊断和治疗中的应用。拟议的会议形式的独特之处在于它强调

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant) A scientific meeting "Brain Uptake and Utilization of Fatty Acids, Lipids and Lipoproteins: Applications to Neurological Disorders (An International Workshop)" to be held at the Bethesda Holiday Inn Select, October 7-9, 2004, is proposed. The objectives are to examine the current state of knowledge of how lipids, primarily fatty acids (FA), and lipoproteins are taken up and utilized by the brain, to provide a forum for ample interchange of ideas and information between participants of diverse backgrounds, and to identify areas for future research. Workshop topics will include: FA and lipid transport across membranes in the brain; brain metabolism of polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) with emphasis on the physiological functions of eicosenoids; functions of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in neurons and neuronal membranes and the roles of DHA and other PUFA in neurological diseases; and roles of lipids and lipoproteins in peroxisomal disorders and in Alzheimer's disease. Continuing disagreement and contreversy over mechanism(s) by which all cells transport FA across the plasma membrane precludes a clear understanding of how FA enter the brain, where this process is further complicated by the presence of the blood-brain barrier. It is vital to clarify brain FA transport and utilization mechanisms, both understanding normal brain development and function and for the diagnosis and therapy of human neurodegenerative diseases, some of which may be amenable to non-invasive, dietary therapy. This conference is timely because a) there is tremendous impetus for brain research with the recent establishment of several new large centers, and b) advances in biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, neuroimaging, and nutrition have led to specialization and an information explosion. We propose that new insights can be consolidated and enhanced by bringing together investigators and clinicians from this wide range of disciplines which will catalyze application of new information to the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. The proposed format of the conference is unique in its emphasis on open discussions of the issues, their implications and contreversies rather than on didactic presentation. Expected outcomes include emergence of new hypotheses and establishment of new collaborations that integrate different disciplines. Our previous conference in March 2000, with similar objectives, was highly successful in the eyes of participants, attendees, and sponsors. The entire proceedings, including talks, posters, discussions, and recommendations for future research were published in a double issue of J. Mol. Neurosci., which has committed to publish the proceedings of the proposed meeting.