[NDPR Membership Roster] [NDPR Meeting Rosters]

The Neural Differentiation, Plasticity, and Regeneration [NDPR] Study Section reviews applications focused on differentiation, plasticity, aging, and regeneration of neuronal connectivity. Emphasis is on fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms, including changes in gene expression and regulation, underlying normal development and aging, as well as recovery from injury, disease, and pathological insults. Specific areas covered by NDPR:

• Substrates for neuronal and glial cell migration; permissive, inhibitory, and directional cues; mechanisms controlling cell motility, directional migration, and growth cone extension.
• Axonal outgrowth, fasciculation, branching, and guidance; cell polarity; dendrites and dendritic spines; selection of synaptic partners, including formation of topographic and laminar-specific projections.
• Synapse formation and plasticity; initial formation and maturation of pre- and postsynaptic elements; factors regulating the elaboration and retraction of arbors, processes and synapses, including neurotrophins, cytokines, cell adhesion molecules, localized translation and physiological activity; synaptic changes in response to activity, hormonal environment, and experience.
• Regeneration of connections; factors that promote or direct axon or dendritic sprouting, axon or dendritic re-growth, re-formation of dendritic spines, and re-establishment of synaptic connections following injury; factors that inhibit these processes; development of cellular and molecular tools and strategies to overcome inhibitory factors and to promote regeneration.

Study sections with most closely related areas of science listed in rank order are:

Synapses, Cytoskeleton and Trafficking [SYN]
Clinical Neuroplasticity and Neurotransmitters [CNNT]
Neurobiology of Learning and Memory Study Section [LAM]
Neurogenesis and Cell Fate [NCF]
Developmental Brain Disorders [DBD]