2016 AAAS Annual Meeting (February 11-15, 2016)

February 10 - 15, 2016

Neuroplasticity: Insights in Neuronal Connectivity Illuminate Brain Function

The brain is a puzzle of remarkable genetic, structural, and functional complexity. Ambitious projects aim to map the mammalian brain and define its circuitry on an ultrastructural level. These efforts are complemented by conceptual advances into how development and experience shape the connectivity underlying the brain’s most basic functions. This symposium addresses both the importance of structural synaptic plasticity in shaping neuronal connections and functional interactions and the technical advances enabling the experimental analysis of brain ultrastructure and circuitry. Speakers discuss how mapping the brain circuitry and its relationship to behavior will advance understanding on the formation of thoughts and emotions as functional outputs of brain connectivity, and the current and future applications of these novel insights for diagnosis and therapy.