(Raphael's fresco of School of Athens at the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican)

FROM ADDICTION TO RELATIONSHIPS:
NEUROPSYCHOANALYTIC PERSPECTIVES
ON CRAVING, CARING AND CLINGING

Athens: 14-16 June 2012

(See CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS, SYMPOSIA AND POSTERS below)

Educational Day: Thursday 14 June
Congress: Late Thursday 14 to Saturday 16 June

Do the brain mechanisms of addiction hijack those for love and sexual desire? How else do social bonds develop in the brain? This international congress brings together leading neuroscientists, psychiatrists and psychoanalysts to consider the links between addiction and dependency on the one hand, and love and empathy on the other. These links will be explored from multiple viewpoints: neurochemistry, brain imaging, developmental psychology and cross-species comparisons, as well as the first-person perspective of psychoanalysis.

The format of the congress will include keynote presentations from internationally renowned experts as well as panel discussions, focused symposia and interactive debates.

Educational Day speakers - click here for the programme:

PROF ERIC FERTUCK; DR MANOS TSAKIRIS; PROF YORAM YOVELL; DR MAGGIE ZELLNER

Congress speakers - click here for the programme:

DR MARILIA AISENSTEIN, Paris & Hellenic Psychoanalytic Societies

PROF GARY ASTON-JONES, Medical University of South Carolina

PROF JEAN DECETY, University of Chicago

PROF VITTORIO GALLESE, University of Parma

PROF JAAK PANKSEPP, Washington State University

PROF MARK SOLMS, University of Cape Town

PROF NICOLAS TZAVARAS, Democritus University of Thrace, Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society

PROF YORAM YOVELL, University of Haifa

CALL FOR RESEARCH PAPERS, SYMPOSIA AND POSTERS

You are invited to submit abstracts in English for research presentations, symposia and posters which integrate psychoanalysis and neuroscience. Studies related to the theme of the conference are particularly encouraged, but presentations on any topic are welcome if they integrate both disciplines.

Oral presentations of empirical studies (experimental, observational, clinical or non-clinical) must meet two criteria: 1) have an explicit psychoanalytic or psychodynamic aspect, and 2) include a specific brain manipulation, objective brain measure, and/or evidence of specific brain damage.

Proposals for posters which meet the same criteria are welcome, as well as posters which are more theoretical or strictly clinical in nature.

All Abstracts should contain the following information:

Title
Names of all authors, with institutional affiliations and credentials (e.g., M.A., Ph.D., M.D.)
Introduction, Methods, Results, and Conclusions (250 words maximum, not including title and author information)

For symposia (duration 2 hours): Symposia should have either 4 presenters, or 3 presenters and one discussant. Submissions should include abstracts for each presentation, structured as above. In addition, the submission should also include a brief overall summary of the scope of the symposium (200 words maximum) and a brief bio of each speaker (3-4 lines of text).

Abstracts are due now by Monday 20 February. Please send abstracts to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Receipt of abstracts will be acknowledged within one week; notification of acceptance status will be made by Monday, March 5. If you do not receive acknowledgement of receipt, please follow up by email to ensure safe receipt of your submission.

Further information on the CALL FOR PAPERS or other congress questions from Paula at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it (Call date: 6 December 2011)

RECENT TROUBLES IN ATHENS

These have taken place in the centre of town, around government buildings. The airport, our congress venue and the restaurant chosen for our optional dinner are located far away from the areas of political disturbance (should these persist).

TRANSLATION

There will be simultaneous translation in English/Greek in the main auditorium.

REGISTRATION

Click here to download the booking form. Online registration is now available: click here. There is a limited number of student places - be quick!.

VENUE

The Eugenides Foundation, 387 Syngrou, 175 64 Paleo Faliro, Athens. This is a quiet residential area about 15 minutes away by taxi from the historical centre, and close to the Athenian Riviera. The Foundation also houses the beautiful Athens Planetarium, the largest in Europe, that you will be able to visit during the congress for a breathtaking view of the stars.

ACCOMMODATION

We have secured a limited number of rooms in four hotels not too far from our venue - all the rates include breakfast:. Closer to the time, we will send out directions to the venue from the various hotels. The prices are for a minimum stay of three nights (from 14 June).

The Metropolitan Hotel Athens: this very pleasant hotel is next door to the venue. Rates: single €105; double €115.

Hotel Coral: a pleasant hotel, on the sea front about 10-15 mns walk or a short bus ride away from the venue: Rates: single €84; double €96.

Poseidon Hotel: modest but clean, with beautiful views, on the sea front about 20 mns walk or a short bus ride away from the venue. Rates: single €64; double €78

Hotel Ilissos: closer to town, a bus ride away, and if you are lucky you will get a room with a view of the Acropolis. The rooms are very nice and modern. Rates: single €75; double €90.

Reservations are via our agents only: MTS Tourism Solutions, SA, tel. +30 (or 01133 from North America) 210 33 79 000, fax 0030 (or 01133 from North America) 210 32 16 870; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

THE OPTIONAL DINNER

It will take place on Friday evening 15 June at the prestigious Yacht Club of Greece, by the foundations of the ancient temple of Artemis. The views are stunning, and the food famous. Click here for the menu, and you will also get an idea of how broad the view is (including over Piraeus). The food will suit vegetarians, but let us know if you have other dietary requirements (to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).

TOURISM

We are fortunate to have the support and assistance of an award-wining Greek Travel Agency: MTS Tourism Solutions, SA, tel. +30 (or 01130 from North America) 210 33 79 000, fax 0030 (or 01130 from North America) 210 32 16 870; email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

MTS will be present throughout the congress. Click here for a few options of tours and cruises for before or after the congress - just a handful of suggestions as MTS can arrange any trip or tour to suit your timetable and pocket.

Local Organising Committee: Nikolaos Lamnidis, Nicolas Tzavaras and Lena Pateraki

International NPSA Organising Committee: Anna Chapman, Andrea Clarici, Georg Fodor, Aikaterini Fotopoulou, Mark Solms, Oliver Turnbull, and Maggie Zellner