The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is a professional society, headquartered in Washington, D.C., for basic scientists and physicians around the world whose research is focused on the study of the brain and nervous system.^[1]

Contents 1 History 2 Annual meeting 2.1 Past meetings 3 See also 4 References 5 External links

[edit] 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.^[2]

The Society publishes a weekly peer reviewed, journal—The Journal of Neuroscience—which covers all subdisciplines of the field.

[edit] Annual meeting

The Society holds an annual meeting that is attended by scientists from around the world. Neuroscience 2008 in Washington, DC represented 38 years as a leading organization for the study of the brain and nervous system. Over 31,000 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 15,500 presentations were given, including 12 special lectures, 21 symposia, and 25 mini-symposia, covering research ranging from single molecules to human behavior.

Future annual meetings are being scheduled in Chicago, IL October, 17-21, 2009; San Diego, CA, November 13-17, 2010; and Washington, DC, November 12-16, 2011.

[edit] 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.^[3]

Year	Dates	Venue	Attendance
2000	November 4–9	New Orleans, Louisiana	25,849
2001	November 10–15	San Diego, California	28,774
2002	November 2–7	Orlando, Florida	25,781
2003	November 8–12	New Orleans, Louisiana	28,778
2004	October 23–27	San Diego, California	31,458
2005	November 11–16	Washington, D.C.	34,815
2006	October 14–18	Atlanta, Georgia	25,785
2007	November 3–7	San Diego, California	32,180
2008	November 15–19	Washington, DC	31,652
2009	October 17–21	Chicago, Illinois	30,581

[edit] See also

Albert Aguayo (SfN President 1987-88). Ira B. Black (SfN President 1992-93). Floyd E. Bloom (SfN President 1976-77). Theodore Holmes Bullock (SfN President 1973-74). Dennis Choi (SfN President 1999-2000). Edward Evarts (SfN President 1974-75). Fred Gage (SfN President 2001-02). Ralph W. Gerard (Honorary SfN President). Patricia Goldman-Rakic (SfN President 1989-90). David H. Hubel (SfN President 1988-89). Edward G. Jones (SfN President 1998-99).

Eric Kandel (SfN President 1980-81). Eve Marder (SfN President 2007-08). Bruce McEwen (SfN President 1996-97). Neal E. Miller (SfN President 1971-72). Vernon Mountcastle (SfN President 1970-71). Walle Nauta (SfN President 1972-73). Pasko Rakic (SfN President 1995-96). Carla J. Shatz (SfN President 1994-95). Solomon H. Snyder (SfN President 1979-80). Torsten Wiesel (SfN President 1978-79).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Society for Neuroscience home page
• The Journal of Neuroscience journal home page
• Article in the Washington Post regarding the Dalai Lama controversy