IBI Daegu Conference 2024: Emotional Brain Working Group
Date: Jul 29 - 31, 2024
Meeting type: Conference
Hosted by: Korea Brain Research Institute
Organized by: IBI Emotional Brain Working Group
“Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease”
Join us for an illuminating exploration of "Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease" at the International Brain Initiative (IBI) Daegu Conference 2024, hosted by the IBI Emotional Brain Working Group. Over three days, we will delve into the complexities of the human brain's emotional dimensions in both health and disease states, featuring a comprehensive series of four symposia spanning the duration of the conference.
Overview
Day 1: July 29, 2024
Opening Keynote: Professor Paul Frankland delves into "The Ontogeny of Hippocampus-Dependent Memory," shedding light on the developmental stages of memory formation.
Symposium 1: Memory/Cognitive Impairment
Explore the neural basis of memory formation and cognitive function, from memory engram stability to emotional inference encoding.
Day 2: July 30, 2024
Symposium 2: Reward/Motivation/Addiction"
Discover the neural circuits underlying reward, motivation, and addiction, offering new perspectives on addictive behaviors and potential interventions
Symposium 3: Psychosis/Schizophrenia
Delve into the neurobiology of psychosis and schizophrenia, from innovative imaging techniques to insights into developmental origins.
Day 3: July 31, 2024
Symposium 4: Stress/Sociality/Depression
Uncover the intricate links between stress, sociality, and depression, examining genetic, neural, and environmental factors influencing emotional well-being.
Conference Summary
The IBI Daegu Conference 2024 – Psychiatric Brain Mapping in Health & Disease, hosted by the Korea Brain Research Institute, was a resounding success, bringing together leading experts from around the globe to share and discuss their groundbreaking research. Over three days, attendees were treated to a series of thought-provoking lectures and symposia that covered a wide array of topics, from memory and cognitive impairment to the intricate mechanisms underlying psychosis, schizophrenia, and addiction.
Opening Lecture
The conference began with an insightful lecture by Paul Frankland from the University of Toronto. His presentation on the ontogeny of hippocampus-dependent memory set the tone for the event, providing a comprehensive overview of how memory processes develop in the hippocampus. Attendees appreciated the depth of his research and the clarity of his presentation.
Symposium Highlights
Memory and Cognitive Impairment
Chaired by Satoshi Kida, this symposium featured compelling presentations on memory engram stability and flexibility, synaptic plasticity, and the emotional and behavioral impacts of brain projections. Denise Cai, Ayako Watabe, Jin Hee Han, and Josh Johansen offered invaluable insights into how our brains store and modify memories, making significant contributions to our understanding of cognitive processes.
Stress, Sociality, and Depression
Weidong Li led a symposium that delved into the behavioral differences in animals and the neural circuits involved in social recognition. The talks by Chan Young Shin, Yong-seok Lee, Anthony J. Hannan, and Alfred J. Robison were particularly well-received for their exploration of gene-environment interactions and the role of androgen receptors in stress resilience. These presentations highlighted the complex interplay between genetics, environment, and behavior.
Psychosis and Schizophrenia
Jong Cheol Rah chaired a session that explored the multifaceted nature of psychotic disorders. Akira Sawa’s longitudinal study on homeostatic signalling in neural connectivity, Min-A Kim’s imaging studies in schizophrenia, Sang Ki Park’s research on cell fate decisions, and Konstantin Khodosevich’s work on schizophrenia mechanisms were all pivotal in advancing our understanding of these severe mental health conditions.
Reward, Motivation, and Addiction
The final symposium, chaired by Ja Wook Koo, focused on the brain’s reward systems and addiction. Presentations by Hyung-Bae Kwon, Alicia Che, Michelle Mazei-Robison, and Tristan Shuman provided fresh perspectives on how dopamine and oxytocin influence behavior and neural synchronization. Their research underscored the potential for new therapeutic strategies in treating addiction and related disorders.
Networking and Collaboration
One of the highlights of the conference was the active participation of students and early-career researchers. Hosted by the Korea Brain Research Institute, the event provided numerous opportunities for these emerging scientists to network with established researchers and peers from around the world. Informal discussions during breaks, poster sessions, and dedicated networking events facilitated vibrant exchanges of ideas and fostered new collaborations. These interactions are expected to lead to future advancements in neuroscience and opened doors for many young researchers to join ongoing projects or initiate new ones.
Conclusion
As the conference drew to a close, it was clear that it had achieved its goals of disseminating cutting-edge research, fostering collaboration, and inspiring future studies. Attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose and excitement about the future directions of neuroscience.
The success of this conference highlights the importance of international collaboration and the ongoing need to support and share scientific research. We look forward to the continued impact of the knowledge and connections made during this event.
Best Poster Award Recipients
Sung-Rae Kim, Seoul National University: A main olfactory-to-limbic circuit for social novelty preference
Kyung-Cheol Roh, Seoul National University: Astrocytic control of dopaminergic-nerual circuit in the formation of winning memories
Joong-Hyun Pyo, POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology): Dopaminergic modulation of posterior basolateral amygdala circuits mediates transition of defensive behavior
Se-Jin Jung, Korea Brain Research Institute Neurovascular Unit Research Group: Myelin basic protein plays an important role in regulating cocaine seeking behaviors
Joo-Yeon Lee, Korea Brain Research Institute Sensory Motor System Research Group: Neural sound processing in noise in the mouse auditory midbrain
Jin-Sun Yoo, Korea Brain Research Institute Sensory Motor System Research Group: Chronic Ketamin Administration Impairs Short-Term Memory Performance and Reduces Glutamatergic Transmission
Kyu-Sung Kim, Korea Brain Research Institute Dementia Research Group: Pathological effects of PM 2.5 exposure on the brain and its link to neurodegenerative disease progression
