Society for Neuroscience

The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a professional society for basic scientists and physicians around the world whose research is focused on the study of the brain and nervous system.

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History

SfN was founded in 1969 and, at more than 38,000 members, has grown to be the largest neuroscience society in the world. The stated mission of the society is to:

1. Advance the understanding of the brain and the nervous system.
2. Provide professional development activities, information, and educational resources.
3. Promote public information and general education about science and neuroscience.
4. Inform legislators and other policy makers about the implications of research for public policy, societal benefit, and continued scientific progress.

The Society publishes a weekly peer reviewed, journal—The Journal of Neuroscience—which is widely regarded as one of the preeminent journals in the field.

Annual Meeting

The Society holds an annual meeting that is attended by scientists from around the world. Neuroscience 2005 in Washington, DC represented 35 years as a leading organization for the study of the brain and nervous system. Almost 35,000 people from across the globe gathered to exchange ideas about the latest discoveries and research on the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system. More than 16,000 presentations were given, including 14 special lectures, 28 symposia, and 27 mini-symposia, covering research ranging from single molecules to human behavior.

Future annual meetings have been scheduled in San Diego, CA in 2007 and Washington, DC in 2008. The meetings were slated to rotate between the cities of San Diego, Washington, and New Orleans, LA, however due to the devastating effects of Hurricane Katrina on the city, the 2006 and 2009 scheduled meetings have been moved to Atlanta, GA and Chicago, IL respectively.

2005 controversy

Beginning in 2005, the SfN began its new Dialogues between Neuroscience and Society lecture series. The keynote address for this new series was given by His Holiness Tenzin Gyatso, 14th Dalai Lama, and approximately 14,000 people attended the talk. In response to the announcement of this lecture over 600 signatures were gathered in protest of a religious leader giving a lecture at a scientific meeting. These protests however were mainly driven by Chinese American members of the society. There has been great debate and many accusations that these protests are politically motivated due to strained relations between China and Tibet. Famed architect Frank Gehry delivered the "Dialogues" lecture in 2006.

Past Meetings

The first annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience, held in Washington, D.C. in 1971, was attended by 1,396 scientists. Subsequent meetings have been held in a variety of cities throughout the USA except for the 1988 meeting, which was held in Canada. A selection of recent meetings are summarized in the table. A complete list of future and past annual meetings is posted on the Society's official website here.

See also

• Ralph W. Gerard
• Ted Jones (neuroscientist)
• Carla J. Shatz