Welcome!

At Neuroscience 2005, the Society for Neuroscience will celebrate 35 years as a leading organization for the study of the brain and nervous system. More than 30,000 scientists from across the globe are expected to gather and exchange ideas about the latest discoveries and research on the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. Nearly 17,000 presentations are scheduled, including 14 special lectures, 28 symposia, and 27 minisymposia, covering research ranging from single molecules to human behavior.

Sessions begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, November 12 and conclude at 5 p.m. Wednesday, November 16. Morning scientific sessions run from 8 a.m. to noon, Sunday through Wednesday. Afternoon sessions begin at 1 p.m., Saturday through Wednesday. Slide sessions end at 4 p.m.; poster sessions continue until 5 p.m. Exhibits are open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday through Wednesday.

In commemoration of its 35th year, the Society is launching several new activities for this year’s meeting:

Dialogues between Neuroscience and Society

A new lecture series, “Dialogues between Neuroscience and Society,” features leaders from fields outside of neuroscience whose work relates to subjects of interest to neuroscientists. The Dalai Lama will give the inaugural lecture at Neuroscience 2005 Saturday, November 12 on the neuroscience of meditation.

Meet the Experts

Also new are the “Meet the Expert” workshops, during which scientists will offer participants a behind-the-scenes look at techniques in which they have special expertise. The workshops, to be held concurrently on Saturday, November 12, are designed to facilitate communication between student scientists and young investigators well-versed in research techniques.

Job Fair and Online Job Bank

The Society for Neuroscience will also host a job fair and launch a new, year-round online job bank at the meeting. This free service is available to all registered annual meeting attendees and paid exhibitors. Attendees and exhibitors will have an opportunity to access job listings and schedule interviews with participating employers. Computer workstations will be setup in the convention center for job seekers to post resumes, view job listings, and schedule live interviews with potential employers during the annual meeting.

Neurobiology of Disease Workshop

The meeting marks the 25th anniversary of the Neurobiology of Disease Workshop, to be held Friday, November 11. The topic will be the developmental neurobiology of autism spectrum disorders.

SfN Short Courses

SfN is pleased to again offer two short courses, “Vectors and RNA Interference for Neuroscience Applications,” and “The Genetics of Cognitive Neuroscience Phenotypes.” As part of the Society’s continuing efforts to make its professional development activities as accessible as possible the prices for these workshops have been decreased for students.

Continuing Medical Education

Offering attendees the opportunity to earn Continuing Medical Education credits is a priority at the Society’s annual meeting. This year, physicians will be offered the opportunity to earn 41.5 Category 1 credits by attending poster and slide sessions, symposia, minisymposia, and lectures.

We look forward to five days of intellectual stimulation, professional exchange, and networking; the Society hopes you have an exciting, productive, and enjoyable time.