This conference aims to provide an integrated discussion of the latest advances in research and therapeutic development for neurodegenerative diseases. Our goals are to focus on the roles of genetic risk factors and their contributions to glial and neuronal health in the aging brain, the biophysical properties of protein misfolding and the propagation of disease-specific proteinopathy, the role of intracellular vesicular trafficking in disease pathogenesis, new insights into the diverse role of glia, innate immunity and microbiomes in neurodegeneration, and novel therapeutic approaches that specifically target each of the novel biological areas. We anticipate that this conference will stimulate more discussions and promote new collaborations among scientists in the academia and industry that ultimately lead to new therapeutic targets to combat neurodegenerative diseases.