Section I - Developmental Brain Research. 1. Cell migrations and establishment of neural connections in the developing brain: a study using the quail-chick chimera system. (N.M. Le Douarin, M.E.R. Hallonet, O. Pourquie). 2. Development of sympathetic neurons: neurotransmitter plasticity and differentiation factors (S.C. Landis). 3. Lessons from genetic knock-out mice deficient in neural recognition molecules (M. Schachner). Section II - Molecular Brain Research. 4. Quantitative analysis of neuronal gene expression (J.L. Roberts). 5. Molecular pharmacology of NMDA receptors: modulatory role of NR2 subunits (P.B. Molinoff, K. Williams, D.B. Pritchett, J. Zhong). 6. Glutamate receptors and the induction of excitotoxic neuronal death (D.W. Choi). 7. Sodium/potassium-coupled glutamate transporters, a "new" family of eukaryotic proteins: do they have "new" physiological roles and could they be new targets for pharmacological intervention? (N.C. Danbolt, J. Storm-Mathisen, O.P. Ottersen). 8. GABAC receptors (G.A.R. Johnston). 9. The central cholinergic system during aging (G. Pepeu, L. Giovannelli). 10. Co-existence of chemical messengers in neurons (G. Jaim-Etcheverry). 11. Cloning of kappa opioid receptors: functional significance and future directions (H. Akil, S.J. Watson). 12. Vasoactive intestinal peptide and noradrenaline regulate energy metabolism in astrocytes: a physiological function in the control of local homeostasis within the CNS (P.J. Magistretti). Section III - Integrative Brain Research 13. Segmental and descending control of the synaptic effectiveness of muscle afferents (P. Rudomin). 14. Noradrenergic control of cerebello-vestibular functions: modulation, adaptation, compensation (O. Pompeiano). 15 Chemical transmission in the brain: homeostatic regulation and its functional implications (M.J. Zigmond). 16. Conservation of basic synaptic circuits that mediate GABA inhibition in the subcortical visual system (R.R. Mize). 17. Hypothalamic magnocellular neurosecretory neurons: intrinsic membrane properties and synaptic connections (L.P. Renaud). 18. Molecular principles from neuroendocrine models: steroid control of central neurotransmission (G. Fink). 19. Resolving a mystery: progress in understanding the function of adrenal steroid receptors in hippocampus (B.S. McEwen, H. Cameron, H.M. Chao et al.) 20. Neural-immune interactions (S.Y. Felten, D.L. Felten). 21. Human cortical functions revealed by magnetoencephalography (R. Hari). 22. The prefrontal system: a Smorgasbord (I. Divac). Section IV - Neuroplasticity. 23. A comparison of the mechanistic relationships between development and learning in Aplysia (E.A. Marcus, N.J. Emptage, R. Marois, T.J. Carew). 24. Synapse-activated protein synthesis as a possible mechanism of plastic neural change (I.J. Weiler, X. Wang, W.T. Greenough). 25. Plasticity of adult central fibre tracts (G. Raisman). 26. Brain damage and recovery (D.G. Stein). 27. Trophic factor therapy in the adult CNS: remodelling of injured basalo-cortical neurons (A.C. Cuello). 28. ACTH/MSH-derived peptides and peripheral nerve plasticity: neuropathies, neuroprotection and repair (W.H. Gispen, J. Verhagen and D. Bär). 29. Enhancement of action potential conduction following demyelination: experimental approaches to restoration of function in multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury (S.G. Waxman, D.A. Utzschneider, J.D. Kocsis). 30. Functional integrity of neural systems related to memory in Alzheimer's disease (N. Simonian, G.W. Rebeck, B.T. Hyman). 31. The search for a manic depressive gene: from classical to molecular genetics (J. Mendlewicz). 32. Age, sex and light: variability in the human suprachiasmatic nucleus in relation to its function (D.F. Swaab, M.A. Hofman). 33. Schizophrenia: neurobiological perspectives (C.N. Stefanis). Section VI - Informatics and Progress in Brain Research. 34. New solutions for neuroscience communications are still needed (F.E. Bloom, W.G. Young). Subject index.