The Neurotrophic Mechanisms in Health and Disease GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The 2027 conference will bring the field's most exciting developments into focus, exploring the biology of neurotrophic factors, master regulators of neural circuit connectivity, synaptic plasticity, and behavior. The meeting will cover the signaling pathways and the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying their actions, as well as the physiological processes they control. From the earliest stages of nervous system development, neurogenesis, neuronal survival, axon and dendrite growth, to the maturation of glial cells, myelination, and the regulation of complex behaviors, neurotrophic factors touch virtually every aspect of how the brain is built and maintained. Their dysfunction is increasingly implicated in a wide spectrum of conditions, including autism, depression, chronic pain, neurodegeneration, and cancer. Excitingly, neurotrophin-based therapies are now in human clinical trials for many of these conditions.
Sessions will span neuronal and glial biology, circuit formation, synaptic plasticity, chronic pain, neurodegeneration and regeneration, mental illness, and cancer, offering a panoramic view of where the science stands and where it is headed. The meeting is structured to maximize both intellectual exchange and human connection. Several talks will be selected directly from submitted abstracts, with junior researchers especially encouraged to present.
The 2027 conference will be held at the NH Noordwijk Conference Centre Leeuwenhorst, nestled in the Netherlands' stunning flower bulb region, where tulip fields and sandy beaches provide an inspiring backdrop for science at its best. This beautiful and refreshingly remote setting reinforces the spirit of the GRC: focused, immersive, and alive with possibility. The organizers are deeply committed to making this conference accessible and inclusive. Babysitting services can be arranged on request, and a limited number of subsidies are available to help offset family care costs — including child accommodation and childcare — for attendees bringing young children. All conference facilities are fully wheelchair accessible.
GRS: This GRC will be held in conjunction with the "Neurotrophic Mechanisms in Health and Disease" Gordon Research Seminar (GRS). Those interested in attending both meetings must submit an application for the GRS in addition to an application for the GRC. Refer to the associated GRS program page for more information.
