Principal Topics to be Covered
The first topic will be an overview of the current state of general knowledge about the co-evolution of brains and behaviors of vertebrate animals, along with some intriguing new perspectives that challenge many traditional views.
The second topic will be survey of source materials for studying brain evolution: brain collections and databases available in America, Europe, Australia and Africa.
The third, and most extensive topic, will be the use of novel technologies, including functional magnetic resonance imaging fMRI, diffusion tensor imaging DTI, neuronal cytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, studies of gene expression, proteomic analysis, and novel ways of measuring behavioral diversity, to obtain data elucidating the course of brain-behavor co-evolution and phylogeny. This will be accomplished by an extensive series of reports of new findings about neurobehavioral diversity using these novel technologies, most often in various combinations with one another.
The fourth and final topic will consist of exhibits of specimens and databases at the National Museum of Health and Medicine, and workshops in actual use of some of the the technologies employed in reports that have been presented.
General Times
Opening: 7:00 pm Friday
End of Plenary Sessions: 6:00 pm Sunday
Workshops and Demonstrations: 10:00 am to 2:00 pm on Monday
Additional visit to Smithsonian Institution: 2:00 to 6:00 pm on Monday
Conference Program and Details
Click here for the New Studies of Neurobehavioral Evolution program in PDF format.
The conference will be part of a tribute to the late Wally Welker, pioneer in the study of evolution of brains and behaviors.