NIH-CSR <script type="text/javascript"> var wmNotice = "UNT Web Archive - External links, forms, and search boxes may not function within this collection. Url: http://cms.csr.nih.gov/PeerReviewMeetings/CSRIRGDescription/MDCNIRG/CMND.htm time: 13:46:00 Sep 20, 2008"; var wmHideNotice = "hide"; var contextRoot = "https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/"; </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/js/disclaim.js"></script> <span id="Postingname3_PostingDisplayName">Cellular and Molecular Biology of Neurodegeneration Study Section [CMND]</span> (MDCNIRG)

[CMND Roster]

The CMND Study Section reviews applications on cellular and molecular aspects of neurodegeneration across the lifespan; mapping novel transcripts and functional analysis of cloned gene products involved in cell survival or death; as well as molecular aspects of injury, repair and disorders. Also considered are the roles of genetic factors, trophic molecules, and extrinsic influences in these processes.

Specific areas covered by CMND:

Characterization of abnormal protein processing associated with neurodegenerative disorders; structure-function studies of abnormal protein folding and/or aggregation and the clearance of aggregated proteins in the context of neurodegenerative disorders such as transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (prion diseases), Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; delineation of physiological effects of aggregated proteins on neuronal function; amyloidosis in the nervous system.
Characterization of molecular mechanisms underlying neuroscience associated with triple repeat neurodegenerative disorders such as Huntington’s disease or Friedreich ataxia.
Studies aimed at elucidating underlying molecular mechanisms that may lead to the development of neuroprotective strategies for treating degenerative disorders of the nervous system;
Mapping novel transcripts and functional analysis of cloned gene products involved in neurodegeneration or neuroprotection, including characterization of apolipoprotein E (ApoE) and its role in neurological processes.

CMND has the following shared interests within the MDCN IRG:

With Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking [SYN]: SYN and CMND share review responsibilities regarding protein processing and clearance in neural cells. If the emphasis is on abnormal protein processing and/or clearance of aggregated proteins associated with neurodegenerative disease, then CMND may be appropriate. SYN and CMND also share review responsibilities regarding the repeat expansion diseases. If the emphasis is on aspects of trafficking, then SYN may be appropriate. If the emphasis is on aspects of the neurodegenerative disease, then CMND may be appropriate.
With Neural Oxidative Metabolism and Death [NOMD]: NOMD and CMND share review responsibilities regarding mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection. If the emphasis is on apoptotic mechanisms and cell survival, then NOMD may be appropriate for review. If the emphasis is on neurodegenerative mechanisms, neuroprotective strategies, and oxidative metabolism, then CMND may be appropriate for review.
With Biophysics of Neural Systems [BPNS]: CMND has shared interests with BPNS in the area of protein aggregation and folding as relates to neurodegenerative disorders and/or synaptic function. CMND may be appropriate for studies focused on basic mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative disorders; BPNS may be appropriate for studies focused on molecules, structures, and biophysics.
With Neurogenesis and Cell Fate [NCF]: NCF and CMND both review studies of cell death. Studies that focus on the involvement of cell death in lineage restriction or patterning in the developing nervous system may be appropriate for NCF. Studies of mechanisms of cell death per se may be appropriate for CMND. Studies of signaling molecules [e.g., growth factors] that affect multiple aspects of development may be appropriate for CMND when the principal focus is on the role of these molecules in neuroprotection.
With Neurodifferentiation, Plasticity, and Regeneration [NDPR]: NDPR and CMND share review responsibilities regarding regeneration following injury. In the field of regeneration, studies focused on re-growth of axons or re-formation of synapses may be appropriate for NDPR while studies concerned with survival following injury and mechanisms of neurodegeneration may be appropriate for CMND.

With Cellular and Molecular Biology of Glia [CMBG]: CMND and CMBG have shared interests in the area of neuroglial interactions and glial mediated inflammation. If the study is focused on the role of glia within the context of a specific neurodegenerative disorder, the application may be reviewed in CMND. If the application is focused on neuroglial interactions in general or on the role of inflammation in diseases of glia, the application may be reviewed in CMBG.

CMND has the following shared interests outside the MDCN IRG:

With the Genes, Genomes and Genetics IRG [GGG]: Neurogenetics is a shared interest. If the focus of the application is on genetics or uses an emerging genetic technique, the application may be reviewed by the GGG IRG. If the primary focus is on neural mechanisms or outcomes, the application may be reviewed by CMND.
With the Biology of Development and Aging IRG [BDA]: CMND has shared interests with the BDA IRG in the areas of cell cycle, aging, and degeneration of cells. If the focus of the application is on cellular or molecular mechanisms in the nervous system, the application may be reviewed by CMND. If the focus of the application is cell cycle, aging, and degeneration in a broader context, the application may be reviewed by the BDA IRG.
With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] and Cell Biology [CB] IRGs: Degeneration associated with vision is a shared interest. Applications focused on fundamental aspects of neurodegeneration may be reviewed in CMND. Applications focused on the neurodegenerative aspects characteristic of the anterior portion of the eye or the retina may be reviewed by the BDCN IRG or CB IRG, respectively.
With the Integrative, Functional and Cognitive Neuroscience IRG [IFCN]: CMND has shared interests with the IFCN IRG regarding cellular interactions in integrated circuits, systems, and behavior, as follows: neuroendocrine function; sensory systems; and motor function. If the focus is cellular or molecular, assignment may be to CMND. If the focus is integrative, assignment may be to IFCN.
With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience IRG [BDCN]: The BDCN IRG and CMND share interests in degeneration. BDCN may be appropriate for studies on whole organ, pathogenesis and injury; CMND may be appropriate for studies on degeneration if the primary focus is on basic cellular and molecular mechanisms. CMND also has shared interests with the BDCN IRG in terms of mapping and cloning of human disease genes that affect the nervous system. If the context is disease, the application may be reviewed by the BDCN IRG. If the context is cellular or molecular mechanism, the application may be reviewed by CMND. The BDCN IRG also has shared interests in the analysis of cloned gene products involved in cell survival or cell death. If the context is whole organ, translational research, or disease, then BDCN may be appropriate for review. If the context cellular or molecular mechanism, then CMND may be appropriate for review.