A dominant feature of the 21st century’s global economy is collaboration among nations in interdisciplinary research. During the past two decades, sustained and significant economic growth in the Asia Pacific regions, notably in China, India, and Japan, has made the region an attractive area for expanded and new collaborative activities. Interdisciplinary research like those that interface neuroscience, immunology, and pharmacology disciplines, not only join research areas, but also nations. Thus, what is represented through the Journal of Neuroimmune Pharmacology in science is joined at a more global level. Indeed, the prevalence of neurological diseases such as stroke and neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease (AD and PD), and multiple sclerosis has increased significantly as global populations age. Specifically, the number of cases of dementia in the developed world is projected to rise from 13.5 million in 2000 to 21.2 million in 2025 and to 36.7 million in 2050. Currently, the number of deaths caused by AD is similar to the number of deaths caused by stroke, and both rank as the third most common causes of death. As the prevalence of AD grows, so does the cost to a nation. According to the report, “An Estimate of the Total Worldwide Societal Costs of Dementia in 2005,” published in the April 2007 issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, the total worldwide cost of dementia care is estimated to be US$315.4 billion annually. Researchers report the highest costs occur in North America and Europe. In individual countries, the total cost in the US ranks highest at $76 billion, followed by Japan at $34 billion, and China at $28 billion. In the summer of 2006, more than 300 scientists from Australia, China, and the US experienced in the areas of neurology, neuropharmacology, and neuroimmunology gathered in Shanghai, China to enhance collaboration in these important interdisciplinary research areas. The International Neurological Disease Symposium was organized by Dr. Sheng-Di Chen, Dr. Weidong Le (China), Dr. Guoyuan Yang, and Dr. Jialin Zheng (USA). Shanghai is a prominent international center for finance, business, science, and J Neuroimmune Pharmacol (2007) 2:233–235 DOI 10.1007/s11481-007-9080-4