Conference Description
The Neurobiology of Drug Addiction GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The fourth Gordon Research Conference (GRC) on Neurobiology of Drug Addiction will be held in May of 2026 in Castelldefels, Spain. Participants from around the world will attend this five-day meeting to discuss addiction research and treatment. The conference will bring together a group of US and international investigators to discuss the latest developments in addiction research in an open and interactive format. The conference includes those representing broad experimental approaches and theoretical perspectives. Conference participants will discuss recent advances and plot future directions with great depth and with a strong multidisciplinary strategy. This GRC meeting will include talks on the new findings of brain mechanisms underlying the neurobiology of compulsive drug use, relapse, and vulnerability to addiction. Speakers will describe newly developed approaches that have been shown to prevent or reduce drug seeking after withdrawal in animal models, in human lab studies, and in community-based programs. The meeting will include talks on technologies for examining and manipulating brain circuitry in addiction research, including optogenetics, in vivo imaging, neuromodulation, molecular approaches, and new biosensors. Additionally, sessions will address the neurobiology underlying substance use disorder comorbidity with other illnesses that exacerbate addiction. This meeting will foster open discussion of novel research developments, establish new collaborations, propel scientific advances, and further equip the next generation of addiction researchers.
The topics, speakers, and discussion leaders for the conference sessions are displayed below. The conference chair is currently developing their detailed program, which will include the complete meeting schedule, as well as the talk titles for all speakers. The detailed program will be available by January 3, 2026. Please check back for updates.
Keynote Session: Key Challenges and Opportunities for Drug Addiction Research
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Substance Use Disorder Comorbidities
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Sleep, Substance Use and Substance Use Disorders
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Neurobiology of Impulsivity: Implications for Substance Use Disorders
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Factors and Mechanisms Impacting Vulnerability to Addiction
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Community Engagement and Public Health
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Negative Clinical Trials: Impact on Understanding the Neurobiology of Addiction
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Neuromodulation and Circuit Mechanisms
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Nociception, Stress and Substance Use Disorders
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