Interest in the amygdala, a brain structure known to play a pivotal role in emotional processes, has increased considerably in recent years. Rapid progress has been made in elucidating the cellular and molecular plasticity mechanisms involved in the acquisition and expression of conditioned fear using animal models. Notably, some of these same plasticity mechanisms can become maladaptive and lead to disease. Indeed, a growing body of clinical evidence implicates the amygdala in a range of affective disorders, including anxiety, depression, phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, and autism. There is also growing appreciation that the amygdala plays a critical role in appetitive behaviors, and amygdala dysfunction has been implicated in drug and alcohol addiction.

The 2013 Gordon Research Conference on the "Amygdala in Health and Disease" will feature the latest findings from internationally renowned basic and clinical researchers in this exciting field of neuroscience. We will focus on research investigating the role of the amygdala in both normal and pathological emotional processes spanning multiple levels of neural organization - from molecular and cellular mechanisms at one end, to circuits, networks and behavior at the other. Reflecting recent progress in the field, we will also consider functional interactions between the amygdala and other brain structures, such as the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, striatum, and nucleus accumbens that are implicated in the formation and extinction of aversive and appetitive memories. The collegial and interactive atmosphere of this conference, with programmed discussion sessions as well as opportunities for informal gatherings in the afternoons and evenings, provides an avenue for scientists from different disciplines to brainstorm and promotes cross-disciplinary collaborations in the various research areas represented. Notably, the 2013 conference will be preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar that will feature young scientists, who are already involved in, or are interested in exploring, this exciting area of research.