Welcome and Introduction, Including Workshop General Discussion Primer
Welcome/Introduction: Diane Bovenkamp (BrightFocus Foundation, USA) dbovenkamp@brightfocus.orgDiscussion Primer: Guojun Bu, Adriana Di Polo, Todd Golde

Section 1: Mitochondria In Health and Neurodegeneration
Chair: Adriana Di Polo (University of Montreal, Canada) adriana.di.polo@umontreal.ca

Mitochondria are essential organelles that regulate multiple processes essential for neuronal function including metabolic balance, intracellular calcium homeostasis, production of reactive oxygen species, and apoptotic signaling. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondrial defects play a central role in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases. This session will cover new insights into mitochondrial dynamics, trafficking, transmitophagy, and damage as well as novel therapeutic strategies to increase mitochondrial health in eye and brain diseases.

Section 2: Glucose and Lipid Metabolism
Chair: Todd Golde (Emory University, USA) todd.golde@emory.edu

Individual cell-types in the brain have unique energy requirements and unique roles in meeting the energetic demands placed on the brain. Disruption in cellular cross-talk and cell-autonomous energy occur during the setting of neurodegenerative disease. A more refined disruption of the cellular and intercellular metabolic defects will likely offer new insights into neurodegenerative disease and perhaps illuminate novel therapeutic approaches.

Section 3: System-level Energy Dysfunction and Metabolic Disorders 
Chair: Guojun Bu (USA) (Guojun.Bu@molecularneurodegeneration.org)

Metabolic conditions and diabetes are risk factors for both Alzheimer’s disease and eye diseases. In addition to hypoperfusion restricting blood flow, they also impact brain energy metabolism including insulin signaling and glucose utilization. In this section, the speakers will discuss how brain metabolism and insulin signaling are impaired in these neurodegenerative conditions and how these pathways can be targeted for therapy to treat brain and eye diseases, and to promote healthy brain aging.