The Picower Institute for Learning
and Memory at MIT, one of the country’s
leading centers for brain research, hosted
a major conference on the topic of addiction
on Monday, May 8. “On Addiction,” sponsored
by CIGNA, focused on understanding addiction
within the context of cutting-edge neuroscience
research, and explored new scientific advances
that may lead to potential treatments and
cures.
The conference brought MIT scientists together
with clinicians, public policy makers, business
people and members of the treatment community. Speakers
included:
Ira Flatow, Host
of NPR's Science Friday
Nora Volkow,
Director, National Institute
on Drug Abuse
Susumu Tonegawa,
Director, The Picower Institute
for Learning and Memory
Wolfram Schultz,
Professor of Neuroscience, University
of Cambridge
Steve Pasierb,
CEO, Partnership for a Drug Free
America
William C. Moyers,
VP of External Affairs, Hazelden
Earl Miller,
Associate Director, The Picower
Institute for Learning and Memory
Robert Malenka,
Director, Pritzker Lab at Stanford
University
Steven Hyman,
Provost, Harvard University and
former Director, NIMH
Shelly Greenfield,
Associate Professor of Psychiatry,
Harvard Medical School
Craig Coenson, National
Medical Director, CIGNA Behavioral
Health
Mark Bear, Professor,
The Picower Institute for Learning
and Memory
“We believe that insights gained by
the study of learning and memory mechanisms
in the brain will be usefully applied to
remedy addiction, a disease that affects
more than 22 million Americans every year,” commented
Nobel Laureate Susumu Tonegawa, Director
of the Picower Institute for Learning and
Memory.
“We are thrilled to be presenting
this conference because the time is ripe
for a new understanding on how addiction
and addictive behavior is treated,” said
Keith Dixon, president of CIGNA Behavioral
Health. “Addiction and other behavioral
issues are major causes of diminished productivity
and enjoyment of life and work for millions
of people.”
The conference proceedings will be available
via webcast at www.picoweropenmind.net.
