Society for Neuroscience

• Name — Society for Neuroscience • Abbreviation — SfN • Type — Learned society • Founded — 1969 • Location — 1121 14th Street, NW Suite 1010 Washington, DC 20005 • Key People — Gina G. Turrigiano, President ('21-'22) • Num Members — Nearly 37,000 (2017) • Focus — Advancing the Understanding of the Brain and Nervous System • Website — http: www.sfn.org

SfN was founded in 1969 by Ralph W. Gerard and, at nearly 35,000 members, has grown to be the largest neuroscience society in the world. The stated mission of the society is to: • Advance the understanding of the brain and the nervous system. • Provide professional development activities, information, and educational resources. • Promote public information and general education about science and neuroscience. • Inform legislators and other policy makers about the implications of research for public policy, societal benefit, and continued scientific progress.

The society holds an annual meeting that is attended by scientists and physicians from all around the world. The first annual meeting of the society was held in Washington, DC in October 1971, and it was attended by 1,396 scientists. Subsequent meetings have been held annually in a variety of cities throughout the US, with the exception of the 1988 meeting, which was held in Canada. In 2024, the meeting was held in Chicago, Illinois, with 22,359 attendees.

The Journal of Neuroscience, was launched in 1981 and has consistently been a multidisciplinary journal publishing papers on a broad range of topics of general interest to those working on the nervous-system. In addition, SfN publications offer breadth and depth into the rapidly developing field of neuroscience. eNeuro, was launched in 2014, SfN's peer-reviewed open-access scientific journal, publishes high quality papers in all areas of neuroscience that increase the understanding of the nervous-system, including replication studies and negative results. SfN's digital member magazine, Neuroscience Quarterly covers SfN news, programs, science, and events, and other neuroscience-related issues. Enhanced content includes videos, slideshows, and interactive elements. Nexus is a digital newsletter, containing key dates and details for annual meeting attendees, the latest research for JNeurosci and eNeuro, and public education and advocacy initiatives.

The following people have been President of the Society: