The recently concluded NEUROCON 2015, the international conference on ‘Development, Degeneration and Regeneration of Neurons: Neurochemistry to Clinical Neurology’, 7–10 Jan. 2015, at Haldia, West Bengal, was organized by the Dept. of Biochemistry, IIMSAR, Haldia, Dept. of Biochemistry, IPGMER, Kolkata and Cell Biology and Physiology Division, IICB, Kolkata. It was the fourth Neurocon conference that reiterated the unique flavor of earlier Neurocon meetings organized in 2009, 2011 and 2013. The theme of Neurocon 2015 was extremely focused which attracted a homogeneous and receptive audience. More importantly, there was innovation in the format of the conference that allowed interactive participation of the audience, both senior researchers and young students, in the conference proceedings. For example, the ‘Panel Discussion’ by students and young researchers, ‘Original Work’ presentation or the ‘Rapid Fire Session’ after a ‘Review Presentation’ or a ‘Memorial Lecture’ was intensely stimulating. The post-dinner round table meetings where students sat with senior scientists on designated tables and discussed at length on problems and prospects of neuroscience research were very useful. This was apparent from the intensity of the discussion as well as its length of interaction. This type of interaction could be followed by other conference organizers. The scientific content of the lectures was very valuable, which included senior scientists and clinicians who presented their published and unpublished results ranging from molecular pathogenesis to epidemiology, population genetics, environmental neurotoxicology and neurological disease-management. The selection of the speakers ensured a good mix of various approaches e.g. biochemistry, molecular and cell biology, electrophysiology, clinical studies etc., needed to study the disease-related neuroscience. The lectures were predominantly related to brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases especially Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, but there were other topics like autism, brain cancer, ischemic stroke or alcohol addiction. Nearly, 1:1 ratio of national and international speakers was a remarkable feature of this conference, and it was heartening to see that several overseas Ph.D and post-doc students participated in the conference giving them an opportunity to peer review the standard of scientific training in other universities and research institutes. Another feature of Neurocon included ‘Memorial Lectures’ which recalled the contributions of some of our Indian role models in teaching and research in biomedical science. The e-poster presentation was innovative, but not organized perfectly. There is scope for much improvement on this aspect, and I am sure this would be taken care of in future meetings. A minute of silence was observed to pay homage to the victims of Paris attacks in January 2015.

Prof. S. Chakrabarti, Dr. K.P. Mohanakumar and their energetic team of young students should be lauded unhesitatingly for organizing Neurocon 2015. It is indeed unique that Neurocon has not only survived, but also gained in strength over the years.