Dr. J. S. Pezaris 2nd CONFERENCE ANNOUNCEMENT and CALL FOR REGISTRATION

                             AREADNE 2006

                 Research in Encoding and Decoding of
                           Neural Ensembles

                          June 22 - 25, 2006
                       Nomikos Conference Center
                           Santorini, Greece

                        http://www.areadne.org
                           info@areadne.org



INTRODUCTION

One of the fundamental problems in neuroscience today is to understand
how the activation of large populations of neurons gives rise to higher
order functions of the brain including learning, memory, cognition,
perception, action and ultimately conscious awareness.
Electrophysiological recordings in behaving animals over the past
forty years have revealed considerable information about what the
firing patterns of single neurons encode in isolation, but it remains
largely a mystery how collections of neurons interact to perform these
functions.

Recent technological advances have for the first time provided a
glimpse into the global functioning of the brain.  These technologies
include functional magnetic resonance imaging, optical imaging methods
such as intrinsic, voltage-sensitive dye, and two-photon imaging,
high-density electroencephalography and magnetoencephalography, and
multi-microelectrode array electrophysiology.  These data collection
techniques have expanded our knowledge of brain functioning beyond the
single neuron level.

At the same time, our understanding of how neuronal ensembles carry
information has allowed the development of brain-machine interfaces
(BMI) to enhance the capabilities of patients with sensory and motor
deficits.  Knowledge of how neuronal ensembles encode sensory stimuli
has made it possible to develop perceptual BMIs for the hearing and
visually impaired.  Likewise, research in how neuronal ensembles
decode motor intentions has resulted in motor BMIs by which people
with severe motor disabilities can control external devices.


CONFERENCE MISSION

There are three major goals of this conference.  First and foremost,
this conference will bring together scientific leaders from around the
world to present their recent findings regarding the functioning of
neuronal ensembles.  Second, we hope that the informal yet spectacular
setting in Santorini will encourage discussion and exchange of ideas
flowing from presentations at the conference center.  Third, this
conference is the kick-off event for a long term project by Nicholas
Hatsopoulos and John Pezaris to form a systems neuroscience research
institute within Greece.  This institute will conduct state-of-the-art
research, offer meetings and courses, and provide a center for
visiting scientists from around the world to interact with Greek
researchers and students.


FORMAT AND SPEAKERS

The conference will be held at the Nomikos Conference Center on the
beautiful Greek island of Santorini.  The scientific program will span
four days, with morning and early evening sessions and a long
afternoon break.  Confirmed speakers include experts in the field of
multi-neuron experiment and analysis (in alphabetic order): Richard
Andersen, Carol Barnes, David Bradley, Gyorgy Buzsaki, Greg DeAngelis,
Michale Fee, Gerhard Friehs, Apostolos Georgopoulos, Nicholas
Hatsopoulos, Leslie Kay, Gilles Laurent, Roger Lemon, Stephen
Lisberger, Dan Margoliash, Markus Meister, Miguel Nicolelis, John
Pezaris, Barry Richmond, Alexa Riehle, Michael Shadlen, Andreas
Tolias, Phil Ulinski, Eilon Vaadia, and Matt Wilson.


CALL FOR REGISTRATION

Registration is currently open for attending AREADNE 2006.  Fees are
currently USD 500 for faculty and post-docs, and USD 300 for students.
Fees include conference registration, lunches, a welcoming reception,
and a gala banquet.  Registration and payment can be made through our
web site http://areadne.org.  Attendance will be strictly limited to
the capacity of the conference center, and few spaces remain.


ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

Nicholas Hatsopoulos
John Pezaris
Dora Angelaki
Thanos Siapas
Catherine Ojakangas
Apostolos Georgopoulos
Nikos Logothetis


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information please see the conference web site
http://www.areadne.org or send email to info@areadne.org.