NEUROMODULATORS OF CONNECTION: CUTTING-EDGE INSIGHTS ON OXYTOCIN AND VASOPRESSIN IN SOCIAL BEHAVIOR, COGNITION AND THERAPY


September 09-14, 2025
Erice, Sicily, ITALY


Workshop Organizers

Conference goals

Karen Parker (Dept. of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, USA)
Adam Guastella (Clinic for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research, University of Sydney, Australia)
Pier Francesco Ferrari (Institute of Cognitive Sciences Marc Jeannerod, CNRS, Lyon, France)

Purpose of the Workshop

Conference goals

Driven by the vision and pioneering work of the late Dr. Larry Young, this upcoming workshop is designed as a tribute to his enduring influence in the field of neuropeptide research. The primary objective of the workshop is to present cutting-edge perspectives on oxytocin and vasopressin, exploring how these neuromodulators affect brain function, behavior, and cognition. We will discuss the brain mechanisms regulating their synthesis, release, and diverse behavioral impacts, providing insights into complex neural circuitry tied to reward, anxiety, attention, social perception, and bonding. Given the current debate on the precise neural pathways involved, understanding these mechanisms is crucial. Additionally, we will delve into methodological approaches, examining how administration routes may influence cognitive and behavioral outcomes. A further goal is to address how interactions between genetics, early experiences, and epigenetic factors shape social communication, especially within parent-infant dynamics. The program includes discussions on various animal models—ranging from fish to non-human primates—offering an evolutionary perspective and illuminating how species-specific social and ecological adaptations impact these neuropeptides’ functions. Finally, the workshop will foster scientific discussions on the clinical implications of oxytocin and vasopressin, particularly their potential in neurodevelopmental disorders and as pharmacotherapeutic interventions for psychopathologies, a topic that has sparked some debate over treatment efficacy. This interdisciplinary workshop will feature presentations tailored for an audience with varying levels of expertise, from graduate students to senior faculty across diverse fields

Speakers & Topics

Cihan Atila

University Hospital Basel Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes & Metabolism (Switzerland)

Steve Chang

Department of Psychology, Yale University (USA)

Katrina Choe

McMaster University (Canada)

Zoe Donaldson

Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder (USA)

Robert Froemke

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, NYU (USA)

Katalin Gothard

Department of Neurology, University of Arizona (USA)

Simon Gregory

Department of Neurology, Duke Molecular Physiology Institute, Duke University (USA)

Valery Grinevich

Central Institute of Mental Health, Department Neuropeptide Research in Psychiatry, Mannheim (Germany)

Suma Jacob

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Sciences, University of Minnesota (USA)

Takefumi Kikusui

Azabu University (Japan)

Liz Lawson

Mass General Research Institute, Harvard University (USA)

Devanand Manoli

Weill Institite for Neurosciences, UCSF (USA)

Markus Muttenhaler

University of Queensland (Australia)

Yannis Paloyelis

King’s College, London (UK)

Xiang Yu

School of Life Sciences, Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University (China)

Registration and Abstract Submission