Immune and Neural Network Communication in Homeostasis and Disease

The field of neuroimmunology is constantly evolving, advancing our understanding of how the immune and nervous system communicate in health and pathology. Recent studies have brought to light the complexity of the neural-immune interface, with active participation of the immune system in the development and maintenance of the central nervous system. Neurons also sense immune mediators and signal to immune cells to modulate their function in tissue inflammation. The immune system comprises a distributed cellular network throughout the body while the nervous system, here specifically the central nervous system, is composed of different compartments also forming complex networks. Technological advances have fostered paradigm shifts of biological concepts with breakthrough discoveries in neuroimmunology. Furthermore, there is apparent need to apply network science for a holistic understanding of homeostasis and pathology beyond single molecular studies. Thus, the 2025 Neuroimmune Communication in Health and Disease GRC will focus on how continuous bidirectional immune and neural network communication impacts not only disease, but also human health.

Please join us on May 11-16, 2025 at the Renaissance Tuscany Il Ciocco in Lucca, Italy for a highly exciting meeting on this important contemporary topic. Sessions will span From Synapse to Network, focusing on More Than Multiple Sclerosis as we explore Immune and CNS Network Communication. We also consider Neuronal Control of Peripheral Immunity – for example barrier immunity, pain, itch and cancer – giving us a better understanding of brain-body interaction. A substantial portion of the meeting is reserved for short talks matching our focus, selected from the poster submissions, with priority given to senior trainees and junior faculty. Here, we additionally encourage contribution of suitable work beyond the focused sessions such as topics of aging, infection, neurodegeneration or vascular immunology. Confirmed invited speakers and discussion leaders include Jonathan Kipnis, Burkhard Becher, Michal Schwartz, Beth Stevens, Philip L. De Jager, Arkady Khoutorsky, Florence Bareyre, Martina Absinta, Gloria Choi and Asya Rolls. We can’t wait to see you in Italy in 2025!

GRC Speaker Abstract Deadline: Although applications will be accepted until the date noted above, if you would like to be considered for an oral presentation, please apply and submit your abstract by February 1, 2025.

This meeting is oversubscribed applications will only be considered by the conference chair if more seats become available due to cancellations.