Society for Neuroscience

Society for Neuroscience is a professional organization dedicated to understanding the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nervous system through the study of neuroscience. Founded in 1969 by Ralph W. Gerard, Louis Sokoloff, and Vernon Mountcastle, the organization has grown to include over 37,000 members from more than 95 countries, including United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and Japan. The organization is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has close ties with other prominent organizations, such as the National Institutes of Health and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Members include renowned neuroscientists like Eric Kandel, David Julius, and Huda Zoghbi.

● History

The history of the organization dates back to the 1960s, when neuroscience was emerging as a distinct field of study, with key contributions from scientists like Santiago Ramón y Cajal and Camillo Golgi. The first meeting of the organization was held in 1969 at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, D.C., with Ralph W. Gerard as the founding president. Since then, the organization has grown rapidly, with notable milestones including the establishment of the Journal of Neuroscience in 1981 and the launch of the Neuroscience 2008 conference in Washington, D.C.. The organization has also honored prominent neuroscientists with awards, such as the Ralph W. Gerard Prize in Neuroscience, which has been awarded to scientists like Tomas Hökfelt and Ann Graybiel.

● Organization

The organization is governed by a council of directors, which includes prominent neuroscientists like Susan Amara, David Julius, and Huda Zoghbi. The council is responsible for setting the organization's strategic direction and overseeing its various programs and activities, including collaborations with other organizations like the International Brain Research Organization and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies. The organization also has a number of committees, such as the Committee on Animals in Research and the Committee on Neuroscience Literacy, which focus on specific issues and topics, including animal research and science education. The organization's staff is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and works closely with members and other stakeholders, including National Institute of Mental Health and National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

● Membership

Membership in the organization is open to anyone with an interest in neuroscience, including researchers, clinicians, and students. Members come from a wide range of backgrounds and disciplines, including biology, psychology, medicine, and engineering, and include notable scientists like Christof Koch, Wolf Singer, and Idan Segev. The organization offers a number of benefits to its members, including access to the Journal of Neuroscience, discounts on meeting registration, and opportunities for professional development and networking, such as the Neuroscience 2019 conference in Chicago. Members also have the opportunity to participate in the organization's various committees and special interest groups, such as the Neuroscience of Addiction and the Neuroscience of Aging.

● Annual Meeting

The organization's annual meeting is one of the largest and most prominent conferences in the field of neuroscience, attracting over 30,000 attendees from around the world, including Europe, Asia, and South America. The meeting features a wide range of scientific sessions, including lectures, symposia, and poster presentations, and includes topics like neuroplasticity, neurodegeneration, and neuropharmacology. The meeting also includes a number of social and networking events, such as the Neuroscience Career Development Award ceremony and the Neuroscience Education Award ceremony, which honor scientists like Marie-Françoise Chesselet and Michael E. Goldberg. The meeting is typically held in the fall, with recent locations including San Diego, Chicago, and Washington, D.C., and is sponsored by organizations like the National Science Foundation and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute.

● Publications

The organization publishes a number of scientific journals, including the Journal of Neuroscience and eNeuro, which are among the most highly cited and respected journals in the field of neuroscience. The organization also publishes a number of books and other educational materials, including the Neuroscience Core Concepts series and the Brain Facts book, which are designed to provide an introduction to the field of neuroscience for students and non-experts. The organization's publications are widely read and cited, and include articles by prominent neuroscientists like David Marr, Francis Crick, and James Watson. The organization also provides online resources, such as the Neuroscience Online textbook and the BrainFacts.org website, which are designed to provide accurate and accessible information about the brain and nervous system.

● Advocacy

The organization is also active in advocating for policies and initiatives that support neuroscience research and education, including the BRAIN Initiative and the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease. The organization works closely with government agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, to promote funding for neuroscience research and to support the development of new treatments and therapies for neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and stroke. The organization also partners with other organizations, such as the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Academy of Sciences, to promote science education and public awareness of neuroscience and its importance, including events like the Brain Awareness Week and the Neuroscience Awareness Day. The organization's advocacy efforts are led by prominent neuroscientists like Story Landis and Thomas Insel, and include collaborations with organizations like the Michael J. Fox Foundation and the Alzheimer's Association.

Category:Neuroscience organizations