Connectionists: AREADNE 2014 Call for Abstracts

[John Pezaris]

CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT
-- and --
CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

AREADNE 2014

Research in Encoding and Decoding of
Neural Ensembles

25-29 June 2014
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, theory, and analysis (in alphabetic order):

Ken Britten
EJ Chichilnisky
Mark Churchland
Rosa Cossart
Allision Doupe
Loren Frank
Wulfram Gerstner
Sonja Gruen
Gabriel Kreiman
Gilles Laurent
Eve Marder
Tom Mrsic-Flogel
Ole Paulsen
Carl Petersen
John Pezaris
Alexandre Pouget
Jennifer Raymond
Michael Roukes
Philip Sabes
Terry Sanger
Andreas Tolias
Susumu Tonegawa
Brian Wandell


CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

We are currently soliciting abstracts for poster presentation.
Submissions will be accepted electronically, and must be received
by 7 March 2014.  Automated email acknowledgement of submission
will be provided, and manual verification will be made a few days
after submission.  Notification of acceptance will be provided by
28 March 2014.

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


ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

John Pezaris, Co-Chair
Nicholas Hatsopoulos, Co-Chair
Yiota Poirazi
Andreas Tolias
Dora Angelaki
Thanos Siapas


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

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


--
Dr. J. S. Pezaris
AREADNE 2014 Co-Chair
Massachusetts General Hospital
55 Fruit Street
Boston, MA 02114, USA
john at areadne.org