What: The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health, will convene a one-day mini-convention at the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. NIDA scientists will present recent findings and discuss future directions in neuroscience. Concepts to be discussed include: how the environment can alter gene function (epigenetics) in addiction and brain development; what determines free will or "free won't"; and how ground-breaking imaging technologies can reveal gene activation in the living brain, and/or control neurons and behavior.
Why: To bring together scientists to explore the latest research on addiction neuroscience.
When: Friday, November 14, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. - 6:10 p.m.
Where: Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
Renaissance Washington DC Hotel
Grand Ballroom North and Central
999 Ninth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20001
More Information: For more information on the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting, please visit http://www.sfn.org/am2008/. To arrange an interview with NIDA staff, please contact NIDA press office at 301-443-6245 or e-mail your request to media@nida.nih.gov
Event Highlights:
- Willpower: What Really Governs Our Choices? - new perspectives on the controversial topic of how our brain responds to competing incentives in the environment to determine our ultimate course of action-or inaction.
- Epigenetics and Brain Function - a description of epigenetic mechanisms mediating maternal effects on the brain and behavior, regulation of learning and relapse to drug seeking, and mechanisms of cocaine addiction.
- Multimodal Imaging of Neuropathways - applications of groundbreaking technology for optical remote control and real-time tracking of neurons and circuits, including the detection of gene activation and new-born neurons in the living brain.
- Cortical Development and Substance Abuse - an exploration of environmental influences on early cortical development, and the implications for addiction.
- Drug Abuse and Neuroscience Research Poster Session - an opportunity for early career investigators to discuss their research findings and interests with NIDA staff, training directors, and other drug abuse researchers.