Breakthroughs in Alcohol Neuroscience Research at the Level of Molecules, Cells, Synapses, and Behavior

The 2016 Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Alcohol and the Nervous System: Molecules, Cells, Circuits and Behavior will provide a unique forum to bring together a diverse range of young and established alcohol researchers, and experts in complementary fields. The conference will cover a broad range of studies at the molecular, cellular, circuit/systems and behavioral level, with particular emphasis on multidisciplinary work and innovative approaches. Talks will address questions centered on the neural substrates that contribute to alcohol-related health disorders across the entire lifespan and will include systems ranging from nematodes to humans. Participation by young investigators will be strongly emphasized. The central goals of the conference are to: 1) Foster deep and open discussion of groundbreaking research at the forefront of alcohol effects on the nervous system and related neuroscience areas. 2) To highlight cutting edge neuroscience techniques that facilitate discovery of brain mechanisms driving alcohol drinking and abuse and those involved in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders. 3) To promote interaction between young and senior investigators and the exchange of ideas that will shape future directions of alcohol neuroscience research. 4) To foster the development of the next generation of alcohol researchers by encouraging participation of students and postdoctoral fellows. 5) To recruit scientists from related research areas to the alcohol addiction field by promoting and fostering new collaborations. The format will provide ample time for formal and informal discussions and emphasize the presentation of unpublished data, thus ensuring that the newest and most exciting developments in the field are discussed. Poster presentations will take place on each day of the meeting, allowing for widespread participation of conference attendees at all career stages. Speakers will also be selected from submitted abstracts for "late-breaking topic" talks by young investigators and Karl Deisseroth from Stanford University will be the keynote speaker.