Basic and Mechanistic Glial Studies – BMGS
NOTE: Starts with the October 2026 Council round submission dates (Cycle I due dates). This study section was evaluated as part of CSR’s ENQUIRE process which functions to align study sections with advances in science. Learn more about ENQUIRE.
The BMGS Study Section reviews neuroscience applications on glial-neuronal, glial-glial, glia-extracellular processes and related interactions (Schwann cells, oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, microglia and neurons) in the CNS; mechanisms of glial differentiation, metabolism, and myelination; neuroinflammation (innate immune and microglia). Also considered are the role of glia in synaptogenesis, neurodegeneration, motor neuron diseases and sensory function and effects of toxins on such. Most studies use in vitro and in vivo systems, including human cellular models and tissues and other model organisms (vertebrate and invertebrate), to study basic biological mechanisms underlying human neurological disorders.
Disorders studied may include but are not limited to: Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, epilepsy, trauma (including traumatic brain injury, peripheral nerve injury, spinal cord injury), stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, fetal alcohol syndrome, diabetes, gliomas, and glioblastomas
Review Dates
A roster for the panel will be posted here, at least 30 days prior to the review meeting
Membership Panel
When the panel is chartered as a standing panel, members will be listed here. Expected in 2026.
Topics
- Mechanistic glial studies (basic biology).
- Glial role in synaptogenesis and plasticity.
- Glial response to injury or infection.
- Glial propagation of misfolded proteins, exosomes, autophagy and mitophagy deficits.
- Glial role in neuroprotection and resilience.
- Glial metabolism.
- Glial regulation of extracellular and ionic environment.
Shared Interests and Overlaps
There is overlapping and shared interest with the following review panels:
There are shared interests in the role of glia and blood-brain barrier in the mechanisms underlying neuro-immunological and autoimmune responses in neural diseases including demyelinating diseases, inflammatory neuropathies, and neurodegenerative disorders with CNBT. Applications that emphasize the pathogenesis, progression, and treatment of CNS autoimmune demyelinating diseases are reviewed in CNBT. Applications that emphasize basic science and mechanistic studies focused on the role of glia and blood-brain barrier in the mechanisms underlying these diseases are reviewed in BMGS.
There is Shared Interest between CMN and BMGS in reviewing applications on neurodegeneration. Applications involving cellular and molecular aspects of neurodegeneration at a mechanistic level may be reviewed in CMN. Applications studying neurodegenerative disorders that involve glia as effectors may be reviewed in BMGS.
There is some shared interest with CPN and BMGS in applications that study basic mechanisms of circuit level disorder and injury. Applications that study basic and mechanistic aspects of neuronal-cell interactions (glia-glia/neuron glia-etc.) on circuit level disorders like AD/ADRD/Epilepsy/ trauma/ PNS and CNS injury are reviewed in BMGS, while applications that will focus on electrophysiological and synaptic aspects will be reviewed in CPN.
There is shared interest between NSDR and BMGS in reviewing applications on neurogenesis and cell fate. Applications involving glial development and cell fate specification may be reviewed by either BMGS or NSDR. Applications with a focus on cell fate determination or glial involvement in early development, studies of neuronal processes that involve glia, for example the role of glia in axon outgrowth during development and regeneration, synaptogenesis, and dendrite formation may be reviewed in NSDR while those involving broader glial function would likely be reviewed in BMGS.
There is shared interest between NPA-81 and BMGS in reviewing applications on brain/neuronal injury and neurovascular disorders. Applications that emphasize vascular abnormalities and alterations in the blood-brain barrier may be reviewed in NPA-81. Basic mechanistic or developmental studies on blood-brain barrier cells or neurovascular structure and function are likely reviewed in BMGS.
There is shared interest between NC and BMGS in reviewing applications of mechanisms of circuit disorders. Applications that focus on synaptic function and plasticity and those emphasizing the basic science of ion channels and transporters may be reviewed in NC. Applications focusing on glial physiology and synaptic plasticity as modulated by glia may be reviewed in BMGS.
There is shared interest between BNRS and BMGS in reviewing applications on neuroimmunology. Applications which focus on interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system with emphasis on the basic physiology and pathobiology of glial cells may be reviewed by BMGS, whereas if there is a focus on behavior it is generally reviewed by BNRS.
There is shared interest between NPA 85 and BMGS in reviewing applications on neuro- infectious diseases and neuroinflammation. Applications that are focused on understanding the pathogenesis and progression of disorders that either trigger inflammation of the nervous system or are caused by neuro-infectious diseases are reviewed in NPA 85 while applications that focus on the role of glia and glial biology are reviewed in BMGS.
There are shared interests between MAI and BMGS in reviewing applications on autoimmunity. Applications that focus on autoimmune mechanisms of neurologic damage may be reviewed in MAI. Applications examining neural tissue and processes associated with neural diseases may be reviewed in BMGS.
