Motivational Neuronal Network Conference 2005

The May 1-4, 2005, MNN meeting focused on "Regulation and Development of the Prefrontal Cortex: Basic and Clinical Perspectives". The meeting was dedicated to the memory of Pat Goldman-Rakic.

As in the past, this was an informal meeting centered around workshops and discussion groups. We addressed key issues centered on the regulation and dysregulation of prefrontal cortex and its associative neural network in psychiatric disorders. There were four workshop topics:

Workshop I: Prefrontal regulation of subcortical systems (2 groups break out based on subcortical system-striatum, amygdala/hippocampus, and monoamine systems);

Workshop II: Ascending regulation of prefrontal cortical systems (amygdala, monoamines, temporal lobe);

Workshop III: Prefrontal systems and Development (plasticity at different levels of development, adolescence);

Workshop IV: The Prefrontal- Forebrain Network in Pathology (Addiction, OCD, Schizophrenia, etc.).

There were no primary data presentations with the exception of two invited speakers who delivered 'perspective' addresses: Dr. Ronald E. Dahl, University of Pittsburgh; and Dr. Earl K. Miller, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Other than these speakers, there were no planned formal data presentations by senior scientists. However, there was an evening poster session for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and junior scientists.

There was a focus group for each theme that is comprised of a cross section of 6+ scientists including both clinical and basic scientists. These groups help determine some initial questions and issues to begin the workshops. Each workshop encourages active participation from all attendees, addressing questions and new directions that cut across the field. This meeting therefore continued the unique format developed for our previous two meetings that focused on 'The role of the ventral striatum in learning and plasticity' (2000) and 'The role of the ventral striatum in emotion' (2002).

Funding for this conference and travel awards was made possible in part by DA020331 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse. The views expressed in written conference materials or publications and by speakers and moderator do not necessarily reflect the official policies of the Department of Health and Human Services; nor does mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.