Sponsored Symposium Program

Symposium Abstract:
Over the past 20-30 years, schizophrenia research has increasingly focused on identifying novel pathophysiological mechanisms that may enable the development of new chemical entities (NCEs) with primary mechanisms of action distinct from dopamine D2 receptor antagonism, which remains the common mechanism shared by more than 40 antipsychotics currently available worldwide. These strategies have involved numerous targets i.e. glutamatergic, cholinergic signalling, neuroplasticity, serotonin modulation and inflammatory mechanisms.
This increasing interest stems from the fact that approximately 30% of individuals living with schizophrenia do not respond to first- or second-generation antipsychotics (APs), meeting criteria for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS) during the course of the illness. Moreover, a subset of these patients shows an inadequate response to antipsychotic treatment from the onset of the disease.

Chairperson Prof. Dr. med. P. Falkai (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany)

Introduction
Speaker Prof. Dr. med. P. Falkai (Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany)
will explore the most recent advances that have led to the development of novel atypical antipsychotics, with a particular focus on glycine re-update inhibitors and other drugs involved in glutamatergic mechanism pathways.

The need for new mechanisms of antipsychotic drugs to develop therapeutic strategies to reduce progression of schizophrenia and treat key symptoms of the disease
Speaker Prof. Marco A. Riva, PhD University of Milan, Italy
will review recent progress in the development of innovative pathways and treatments for schizophrenia, summarizing the most promising findings to date in animals.

Neurodevelopmental hypothesis for schizophrenia
Speaker Prof. A. Grace, PhD (University of Pittsburgh, USA)
will discuss why currently available antipsychotics primarily target positive symptoms of schizophrenia and will highlight limbic hippocampal hyperexcitability as a compelling therapeutic target.

1H-MRS neurometabolite markers of antipsychotic response in psychosis: A mega-analysis
Speaker Prof. A. Egerton, PhD (King’s College London, UK)
will present findings from a mega-analysis of 1H-MRS neuro-metabolite markers associated with antipsychotic response in psychosis.

Unique preclinical effects of evenamide may predict benefits in patients with inadequate responders and patients with TRS
Speaker R. Anand, MD (Chief Medical Officer, Newron Pharmaceuticals)
will present evidence demonstrating how the preclinical effects of evenamide translate into clinical benefits for patients with inadequate treatment response and those with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

This session will examine how advances in nondopaminergic mechanisms of action are potentially redefining our therapeutic approach to schizophrenia. Discussion of the neurobiology underlying interactions between novel mechanisms and relevant neural circuits will include consideration of the investigational work still needed to fully elucidate impacts beyond control of positive symptoms and psychosis and into negative and cognitive symptoms. The session will also consider the neurobiological and outcome consequences of the polypharmacy burden often observed with current schizophrenia treatment regimens, including the growing evidence that adjunctive agents used to manage treatment side effects may be detrimental to patient outcomes.

Robert McCutcheon, MRCPsych, PhD: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom; TUNE-UP Service, Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom

Oliver Howes, BM BCh, MA, MRCPsych, PhD, DM, FMedSci: Head of Department of Psychosis Studies; Professor of Molecular Psychiatry, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom; Honorary Professor, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom; Consultant Psychiatrist & Service Lead (TREAT), South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom

This symposium will explore the real-world burden of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), focusing on their impact on patients’ daily functioning and quality of life. Expert speakers will address the need to move beyond symptom control in GAD toward restoring functional outcomes and will examine the role of comorbidities in depression management. The session will provide practical insights into patient-centered care and highlight challenges faced in routine clinical practice.

Prof. Koichiro Watanabe (Japan)
Improving Lives of Patients with GAD: Moving Beyond Treatment to Restore Daily Functioning

Prof. Andrea Fagiolini (Italy)
Challenges of Depression: A Closer Look at Comorbidities in Real-World Care

TBA

The National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry (NCNP), Japan’s leading institution for mental health and neuroscience, plays a central role in advancing addiction research through an integrated approach spanning basic neuroscience, clinical research, and public health.
Addiction remains a major global challenge, influenced by complex interactions among genetic, environmental, and social factors. In Japan, unique characteristics of addiction—such as genetic backgrounds affecting alcohol metabolism and sociocultural patterns of substance use—provide valuable opportunities for scientific discovery.
NCNP is promoting a large-scale addiction research initiative supported by national funding, aiming to:

• Elucidate neurobiological mechanisms of addiction
• Identify genetic and environmental risk factors
• Develop biomarkers for diagnosis and treatment
• Promote translational research from bench to bedside
• Development and dissemination of a psychosocial approach
• Contribute to international collaborative research

This symposium highlights cutting-edge research from NCNP, including organoid-based disease modeling, genetic studies, and neuropharmacological approaches, and aims to strengthen global collaboration in addiction research.

Program

Opening Remarks

Dr. Kazuyuki Nakagome (President, NCNP)
Introduction of NCNP and its strategic role in addiction research

Overview of Addiction Research in Japan and NCNP

Dr. Kazutaka Ikeda (Department Chair, Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, NCNP)
Overview of addiction characteristics in Japan and NCNP research initiative

Main Lecture

Dr. Yoshitsugu Aoki (Department Chair, Department of Molecular Therapy, NCNP)
Neurodevelopmental insights from human organoid models of Duchenne muscular dystrophy: relevance to autism and addiction

Young Investigator Presentation

Dr. Chaitra Sathyaprakash (Research Fellow, Department of Molecular Therapy, NCNP)
Human brain organoids for modeling fetal alcohol spectrum disorders and adverse outcome pathways: toward mechanistic understanding of addiction

Research Presentation

Dr. Daisuke Nishizawa (Section Chief, Department of Neuropsychopharmacology, NCNP)
Genetic and pharmacogenomic studies on addiction and pain

Closing Remarks

Dr. Kazuyuki Nakagome (President, NCNP)