Neuroscience of Addiction
August 6 - 12, 2019
Application Deadline: April 19, 2019

Instructors:

David Belin, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom 
Christopher Evans, University of California, Los Angeles
Mark Von Zastrow,University of California San Francisco

See the roll of honor - who's taken the course in the past

Drug addiction is the most costly neuropsychiatric disorder faced by our nation. Acute and repeated exposure to drugs produces neuroadaptation and long-term memory of the experience, but the cellular and molecular processes involved are only partially understood.

The primary objective of the proposed workshop is to provide an intense dialogue of the fundamentals, state-of-the-art advances and major gaps in the cell and molecular biology of drug addiction. Targeted to new or experienced investigators, the workshop will combine formal presentations and informal discussions to convey the merits and excitement of cellular and molecular approaches to drug addiction research. With the advent of genomics and proteomics, an extraordinary opportunity now exists to develop comprehensive models of neuroadaptative processes fundamental to addiction, withdrawal, craving, relapse to drug use and general brain function.

A range of disciplines and topics will be represented, including:

  • Noninvasive brain imaging to identify drug targets and adaptive processes
  • Neuroadaptative processes at the molecular and cellular level
  • Neural networks and their modulation
  • Relevance of genotype to susceptibility and drug response
  • Tolerance and adaptation at the cellular level
  • Approaches to exploiting the daunting volume generated by neuroinformatics

This workshop will provide an integrated view of current and novel research on neuroadaptive responses to addiction, foster discussion on collaboration and integration, provide critical information needed to construct a model of addiction as a disease and novel molecular targets for biological treatments. Beyond the plane of scientific endeavor, the information is vital for formulating public policy and for enlightening the public on the neurobiological consequences of drug use and addiction.

This workshop is designed to generate interest in this level of analysis, open conduits for collaborations and present novel routes to investigating the neurobiology of addictive drugs.

2019 Speakers:


Mark Von Zastrow , University of California San Francisco
Aashish  Manglik, University of California, San Francisco
James Otis, Medical University of South Carolina
David Goldman, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH)
Marisela  Morales ,National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH)
Peter W. Kalivas ,
Medical University of South Carolina
Joseph Cheer, University of Maryland School of Medicine
Yasmin Hurd , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Veronica Alvarez , National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH)
Eric Nester, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Paul J Kenny, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Hedy  Kober, Yale University
George  Koob, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIH)
Marina  Picciotto,Yale University
Jan Witkowski, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory


The course will be held at the Laboratory's Banbury Conference Center located on the north shore of Long Island. All participants stay within walking distance of the Center.

This course will be partially supported with funds provided by: US National Institute of Drug Abuse

Grant#  5 R13 DA019791


Scholarship funds are available for partial support of tuition, room and board on a merit basis. Please apply in writing when you apply stating the need for financial aid.

Cost (including board and lodging): $2,765

Before applying, ensure you have:
  1. Personal statement/essay;
  2. Letter(s) of recommendation;
  3. Curriculum vitae/resume (optional);
  4. Financial aid request (optional).
    More details.

If you are not ready to fully apply but wish to express interest in applying, receive a reminder two weeks prior to the deadline, and tell us about your financial aid requirements, click below:

Students accepted into the course should plan to arrive on the evening of August 5, and depart by lunchtime on August 12.