Connectionists: AREADNE 2010 Call for Abstracts

[John Pezaris]

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
-- and --
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

AREADNE 2010

Research in Encoding and Decoding of
Neural Ensembles

June 17 - 20, 2010
Nomikos Conference Center
Santorini, Greece

http://www.areadne.org
info at areadne.org



INTRODUCTION

One of the fundamental problems in neuroscience today is to
understand how the activation of large populations of neurons
give rise to higher order functions of the brain including
learning, memory, cognition, perception, action and ultimately
conscious awareness.  Electrophysiological recordings in behaving
animals over the past forty years have revealed considerable
information about what the firing patterns of single neurons
encode in isolation, but it remains largely a mystery how
collections of neurons interact to perform these functions.

Recent technological advances have provided a glimpse into the
global functioning of the brain.  These technologies include
functional magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging methods
including intrinsic, voltage-sensitive dye, and two-photon
imaging, high-density electroencephalography and
magnetoencephalography, and multi-microelectrode array
electrophysiology.  These technologies have expanded our
knowledge of brain functioning beyond the single neuron level.

At the same time, our understanding of how neuronal ensembles
carry information has allowed the development of brain-machine
interfaces (BMI) to enhance the capabilities of patients with
sensory and motor deficits.  Knowledge of how neuronal ensembles
encode sensory stimuli has made it possible to develop perceptual
BMIs for the hearing and visually impaired.  Likewise, research
in how neuronal ensembles decode motor intentions has resulted in
motor BMIs by which people with severe motor disabilities can
control external devices.


CONFERENCE MISSION

First and foremost, this conference is intended to bring
scientific leaders from around the world to present their recent
findings on the functioning of neuronal ensembles.  Second, the
meeting will provide an informal yet spectacular setting on
Santorini in which attendees can discuss and share ideas outside
of the presentations at the conference center.  Third, this
conference continues our long term project to form a systems
neuroscience research institute within Greece to conduct
state-of-the-art research, offer meetings and courses, and
provide a center for visiting scientists from around the world to
interact with Greek researchers and students.


FORMAT AND SPEAKERS

The conference will span four days, in morning and early evening
sessions.  Confirmed speakers include experts in the field of
multi-neuron experiment and analysis (in alphabetic order):

David Anderson (Caltech),
Helen Barbas (Boston University),
Carlos Brody (Princeton University),
Matteo Carandini (University College London),
Jose Carmena (University of California Berkeley),
Bob Desimone (MIT),
Tim Ebner (University of Minnesota),
Adrienne Fairhall (University of Washington),
Eb Fetz (University of Washington),
Tamar Flash (The Weizmann Institute of Science),
David Freeman (University of Chicago),
Georgia Gregoriou (University of Crete),
Melina Hale (University of Chicago),
Michael Hausser (University College London),
Jeff Lichtman (Harvard University),
Nikos Logothetis (Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics),
John O'Keefe (University College London),
Cathy Ojakangas (University of Chicago),
Bijan Pesaran (New York University),
Hans Scherberger (German Primate Center),
Maneesh Sahani (UCL Gatsby Institute),
Alcino Silva (University of California Los Angeles),
Wolf Singer (Max Planck Institute for Brain Research),
Mike Shadlen (University of Washington),
Irini Skaliora (Biomedical Research Foundation, Academy of Athens).


CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We are currently soliciting abstracts for poster presentation.
Submissions will be accepted electronically, and must be received
by March 12, 2010.  Automated email acknowledgment of submission
will be provided, and manual verification will be made a few days
after submission.  Notification of acceptance will be provided by
March 30, 2010.

Please see our on-line Call for Abstracts at
http://areadne.org/2010/call-for-abstracts.html for additional details.


ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Nicho Hatsopoulos, Co-Chair
John Pezaris, Co-Chair
Catherine Ojakangas
Yiota Poirazi
Thanos Siapas
Andreas Tolias


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please see the conference web site
http://www.areadne.org or send email to info at areadne.org.


--
Dr. J. S. Pezaris
AREADNE 2010 Co-Chair
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114, USA
john at areadne.org