• Regulation of cell death and cell survival; functions and mechanisms of action of signaling molecules [such as neurotrophic factors, growth factors, cytokines, glutamate] and electrical activity in regulating cell survival. Intracellular signaling pathways leading to apoptosis, necrosis and excitotoxicity, and their intersection with the signal transduction pathways of survival factors.
   
• Mechanisms of cell death due to aging, disease, injury and environmental or genetic factors. This could include excitotoxins, free radicals, and neurodegenerative disease genes, as well as elucidation of excitotoxic, necrotic, and apoptotic mechanisms.

• The initial mapping and cloning of human disease genes that affect neural cell death and the analysis of cloned gene products involved in cell survival or cell death.

• Studies of mechanisms relevant to the development of neuroprotective or cell survival strategies, such as the administration of exogenous growth factors.

• Oxidative stress; special metabolic and energy demands of neurons and glia; relevant aspects of mitochondrial function and localization; aspects of mitochondrial dysfunction in disease states.

• Molecular mechanisms underlying neural injury associated with ischemia, reperfusion injury, traumatic brain injury, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, and excitotoxicity.
  
  
  

 NOMD has the following shared interests within the MDCN IRG:

• With Neural Degenerative Disorders and Glial Biology [NDGB] and Neurogenesis and Cell Fate [NCF]: NCF, NDGB and NOMD all review studies of cell death. Studies that focus on the involvement of cell death in lineage restriction or patterning in the developing nervous system are appropriate for NCF. Studies of signaling molecules [e.g., growth factors] that affect multiple aspects of development may be appropriate for NDGB when the principal focus is on the role of these molecules in neuroprotection. Studies of mechanisms of cell death per se may be appropriate for review in NOMD.
   
• With Neural Degenerative Disorders and Glial Biology [NDGB]: NDGB and NOMD share review responsibilities regarding mechanisms of neurodegeneration and neuroprotection.  If the emphasis is on neurodegenerative disease mechanisms and neuroprotective strategies, then NDGB may be appropriate for review.  If the emphasis is on apoptotic mechanisms and cell survival, then NOMD may be appropriate for review.
   
• With Neurotransporters, Receptors, Channels and Calcium Signaling [NTRC]: NTRC and NOMD share interests in the area of calcium signaling. NOMD may be appropriate for studies focused on mitochondrial calcium, while NTRC may be appropriate for more general studies of calcium signaling.
  
  
  

  NOMD has the following shared interests outside the MDCN IRG:
  
  

• With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] and Cell Biology [CB] IRGs:  NOMD has shared interests with the BDA and CB IRGs in the area of cell death. NOMD may review applications that focus on neurons and glia, while the BDA and CB IRGs may review applications that focus on a broader context of cell death.
  
  
• With the Biology of Development and Aging [BDA] IRG:  NOMD has shared interests with the BDA IRG in the areas of cell cycle, aging and hormonal action. If the focus of the application is on re-entry into the cell cycle as a neuropathological event, on the cellular or molecular mechanisms in the nervous system, or on neuroprotection, the application may be reviewed by NOMD; if the focus of the application is on re-entry into the cell cycle as a pathological event, on the cellular or molecular mechanisms, or on protection in multi-organ systems, the application may be reviewed by the BDA IRG.
  
  
• With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] IRG:  (1) NOMD has shared interest with study sections of the BDCN IRG in studies on pathogenesis and injury. If the primary focus is on the disease, the BDCN IRG may be appropriate for review. If the primary focus is on basic cellular and molecular mechanisms, NOMD may be appropriate for review. (2) The BDCN IRG also has shared interests in the initial mapping and cloning of human disease genes that affect neural cell death and the analysis of cloned gene products involved in cell survival or cell death. If the context of such a neuroscience application is disease, then BDCN may be appropriate for review. If the context of such a neuroscience application is basic science, then NOMD may be appropriate for review.
  

• With the Brain Disorders and Clinical Neuroscience [BDCN] and Cell Biology [CB] IRGs: Applications utilizing the visual system, but that focus on fundamental aspects of neurodegeneration, oxidative metabolism, or excitotoxicity may be reviewed in NOMD. Applications focused on anterior eye or retinal aspects of neurodegeneration, oxidative metabolism, or excitotoxicity may be reviewed by the BDCN IRG or CB IRG, respectively.