The human brain, a universe within us, continues to challenge and inspire scientists around the globe.
In September 2011, the prestigious PACIFICO YOKOHAMA conference center in Japan became the epicenter of global neuroscience. The 34th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society, themed 'Neuroscience of the Mind,' brought together leading researchers to share groundbreaking discoveries that would shape the future of brain science 1 3 .
Under the leadership of Chairperson Professor Noriko Osumi from Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, this conference served as a platform for revolutionary ideas spanning from the reprogramming of our very cellular identity to the decoding of brain circuits behind memory and addiction 1 3 . This article delves into the landmark special lectures from that meeting, translating complex science into the captivating story of our quest to understand the human brain.
Leading neuroscientists from around the world
Groundbreaking discoveries in brain science
Advanced techniques and technologies
The Special Lectures represented the conference's core, each presenting a unique frontier in neuroscience research. These talks showcased a remarkable convergence of molecular biology, genetics, and systems neuroscience, offering a holistic view of the field's direction.
Concept: Professor Shinya Yamanaka introduced a paradigm-shifting technology: induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. This revolutionary work demonstrated that mature, specialized cells could be reprogrammed back into an embryonic-like state 3 .
Significance: For neuroscience, this meant a new era. iPS technology provided a powerful tool to generate patient-specific neurons, opening new avenues for modeling neurological diseases, screening drugs, and developing regenerative therapies.
Concept: Professor Naoyuki Osaka explored the neural underpinnings of social cognition. His research delved into how our brain constructs a sense of 'self' and distinguishes it from our perception of 'others' 3 .
Significance: This work illuminated the complex brain networks involved in empathy, theory of mind, and social interaction, providing a biological framework for understanding social behavior and its impairments.
Concept: Professor Susumu Tonegawa presented work at the intersection of genetics and memory. His team pioneered methods to label, activate, and silence specific ensembles of neurons that hold a specific memory 3 .
Significance: This research provided direct causal evidence for the physical representation of memories in the brain, moving beyond correlation to demonstrate that manipulating these specific circuits could alter memory recall and behavior.
Concept: Professor Takeshi Iwatsubo connected the molecular dots of Alzheimer's disease. His lecture detailed the journey from understanding the fundamental pathology to translating this knowledge into potential therapies 3 .
Significance: This work represented a beacon of hope, outlining a strategic scientific path to tackle one of the most challenging neurodegenerative disorders of our time.
While the Special Lectures focused on broad themes, other award-winning research presented around the same time provides a perfect case study for a detailed experimental deep dive. Research by Dr. Fernando Kasanetz, awarded the Excellent Paper in Neuroscience Award (EPNA) in 2011, offers a fascinating look at the biological basis of addiction 2 .
Objective: To identify specific synaptic changes that distinguish casual drug use from compulsive addiction, a transition that only occurs in a vulnerable minority of individuals 2 .
Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine. Critically, the researchers used a protocol that allowed them to differentiate between the majority of rats that maintained controlled use and the minority that transitioned to addiction-like behavior 2 .
The team measured synaptic plasticity—the strength of communication between neurons—in a brain region called the nucleus accumbens, a key hub in the brain's reward circuit 2 .
They compared the electrical properties and plasticity of synapses between the addiction-vulnerable rats and those that maintained control 2 .
The key finding was not that cocaine changed the brain—it did so in all rats. The breakthrough was identifying a change unique to the addicted brain.
Kasanetz et al. found that addiction-vulnerable rats exhibited a persistent impairment in synaptic plasticity in the nucleus accumbens 2 . While the brains of non-addicted rats retained a certain flexibility, the synapses in the addicted brains were stuck in a rigid state, unable to adapt normally. This specific, long-lasting impairment in communication between neurons is believed to underlie the loss of behavioral control that defines addiction 2 .
| Experimental Group | Observed Behavior | Synaptic Plasticity |
|---|---|---|
| Non-Addicted Rats | Maintained controlled cocaine use | Remained capable of change (flexible) |
| Addiction-Vulnerable Rats | Showed compulsive, uncontrolled drug-seeking | Showed a persistent impairment (rigid) |
| Experience | Effect on Brain Circuit | Potential Long-Term Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Learning | Strengthens specific synaptic connections | Adaptive behavior and memory formation |
| Non-Addicted Drug Use | Causes widespread but reversible changes | Controlled, habitual use |
| Transition to Addiction | Causes a persistent impairment in plasticity | Loss of behavioral control & compulsivity |
Interactive chart showing synaptic plasticity differences between experimental groups would appear here
The progress highlighted at Neuroscience 2011 was powered by a suite of advanced research tools. The following table details some of the essential reagents and materials that drive modern neuroscience discovery, many of which were foundational to the work presented.
| Tool / Reagent | Function in Research | Application in Discussed Lectures |
|---|---|---|
| iPS Cells | Provides a source of human neurons from a simple skin sample. | Yamanaka's work; used to model diseases and screen therapies. |
| Viral Vectors | Genetically modified viruses used to insert or silence genes in specific neurons. | Critical for Tonegawa's memory engram research and genetic studies. |
| Electrophysiology Rig | A setup to measure and manipulate the electrical activity of neurons. | Used by Kasanetz to study synaptic plasticity in addiction 2 . |
| Genetic Fate Mapping | A technique to trace the lineage and destiny of specific cells in a living organism. | Used by Barnabé-Heider to find stem cells in the spinal cord 2 . |
| Animal Behavior Models | Standardized tests (e.g., self-administration) to quantify animal behavior. | Essential for differentiating addicted from non-addicted rats in addiction studies 2 . |
Precise manipulation of neural circuits
Visualizing brain structure and activity
Advanced computational methods
The 34th Annual Meeting of the Japan Neuroscience Society was more than a conference; it was a snapshot of a field in rapid transformation. The special lectures of 2011 reveal a discipline building bridges from microscopic molecular interactions to the grand scale of cognitive function and behavior.
From Yamanaka's cellular reprogramming to Tonegawa's memory circuits and Kasanetz's synaptic markers of addiction, the research highlighted a common theme: the power to pinpoint the mechanisms of brain function and dysfunction with ever-greater precision.
This legacy continues to evolve. The Japan Neuroscience Society has continued its annual meetings, such as the 46th meeting in Sendai in 2023 with the theme "Towards the Galaxy of Neuroscience," and the upcoming 48th meeting in Niigata in 2025 5 . Each meeting continues the quest to map the boundless universe within our minds, a quest that began with the foundational insights of pioneers like those who graced the stage in Yokohama in 2011.