Conference Schedule
Sunday, May 21
9:30-10:00:
Conference opening and welcoming remarks
Address by Dr. Sharon Yagur-Kroll of the Israeli Ministry of Science, Technology and Space (MoST) and by Prof. Moshe Bar, Head of the Gonda Multidisciplinary Brain Research Center
Session 1: Neuromodulation of social and affective function
10:00-10:20:
Moshe Bar, Bar-Ilan University
Cognitive modulation of mood
10:20-10:40:
Kobi Rosenblum, Haifa University
From cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying taste learning to cognitive enhancers
10:40-11:00:
Roee Admon, Haifa University
Stress and cognition interaction: Towards facilitation of cognitive adaptation to stress
11:00-11:20:
Coffee break
11:20-11:40:
Ruth Feldman, Bar-Ilan University
Maternal-preterm skin-to-skin contact enhances child physiologic organization and cognitive control across the first decade of life
11:40-12:00:
Simone Shamay-Tsoory, Haifa University
Role of oxytocin system in modulating social cognition
12:00-12:40:
Keynote lecture
Michael Banissy, Goldsmith University of London
The promises and challenges of using transcranial electrical current stimulation to improve social perception skills throughout adulthood
12:40-13:40:
Lunch
13:40-14:20:
Keynote lecture
Mo Costandi, neuroscientist and writer
The neuroethics of cognitive enhancement
Session 2: Brain and behavioral modulation in humans
14:20-14:40:
Oren Shriki, Ben-Gurion University
Critical brain dynamics: A novel framework for assessing and optimizing brain function
14:40-15:00:
Roy Salomon, Bar-Ilan University
A sensorimotor account of psychosis: a window for cognitive remediation?
15:00-15:20:
Coffee break
15:20-15:40:
Tom Schonberg, Tel Aviv University
A novel non-reinforced mechanism of behavior change
15:40-16:00:
Sharon Gilaie-Dotan, Bar-Ilan University
Seeing beyond high-level visual impairments
16:00-16:20:
Adam Zaidel, Bar-Ilan University
Behavioral shifts in spatial perception - accompanied by shifts in neuronal tuning
Monday, May 22
Session 3: Learning mechanisms and neural plasticity
9:30-9:50:
Eli Vakil, Bar-Ilan University
The effect of practice variability on transfer in a cognitive skill learning task
9:50-10:10:
Rony Paz, Weizmann Institute
Maladaptive learning in primate networks
10:10-10:30:
Merav Ahissar, Hebrew University
A critical evaluation of training induced improvement, brain plasticity, and generalization
10:30-10:50:
Coffee break
10:50-11:10:
Roy Mukamel, Tel Aviv University
Neural circuits mediating transfer of motor skill behavior
11:10-11:50:
Keynote lecture
Yael Niv, Princeton University
The battle between learning and memory
11:50-13:00:
Lunch and poster session
Session 4: Manipulating cognition with brain stimulation
13:00-13:40:
Keynote lecture
Roi Cohen Kadosh, University of Oxford
Using Cognitive Training and Transcranial Stimulation to Improve High-Level Cognition
13:40-14:00:
Sharon Hassin-Baer, Sheba Medical Center
Does deep brain stimulation for movement disorders worsen cognition?
14:00-14:20:
Abraham Zangen, Ben Gurion University
Cognitive and Electrophysiological Alterations Induced by Interhemispheric Paired Associative Stimulation of the Prefrontal Cortex
14:20-14:40:
Elissa Ash, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical center
Using TMS to explore cognitive processing and attentional networks in ADHD
14:40-15:00:
Coffee break
Session 5: Cognitive abilities in aging and disease
15:00-15:20:
Michal Beeri, Sheba Medical Center
The role of diabetes on the brain and cognitive impairment
15:20-15:40:
Asya Rolls, Technion
Using the brain to control immunity
15:40-16:00:
Ed Stern, Bar-Ilan University
Neuronal substrate for cognitive improvement in aged animal models of memory disorders
16:00-16:20:
Yechiel Levkovitz, Tel Aviv University
Neural aspects and challenges of monitoring and treating depression
16:20-16:40:
Shira Knafo, The University of the Basque Country
Synaptic manipulation as a tool to enhance cognition
Tuesday, May 23
Session 6: Modifying cognition through technology
9:30-9:50:
Eyal Baror, Neuronix
Effects of NeuroAD, Combined Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Cognitive Training, on the cognitive function of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer Patients
9:50-10:10:
Avi Yaron, Joy Ventures
Scientifically proven solutions for improving the everyday human experience
10:10-10:50:
Keynote lecture
Michael Nitsche, Leibniz Research Centre for Working Environment and Human Factors
Transcranial electrical current stimulation to modulate sleep-dependent processes
10:50-11:10
Coffee break
11:10-11:30:
Amit Reches, ElMinda
Brain Network Analysis: Towards a large scale human/machine learning platform for cognitive functional imaging
11:30-11:50
Son Preminger, Intendu
Cognitive rehabilitation using video games that combine physical activity - from research to commercial product and back
11:50-12:10:
Aziz Kaddan, Myndlift
Neurofeedback, made accessible
12:10-12:30
Amir Amedi, Hebrew University
The brain as a flexible sensory-independent task machine: Visual and multisensory navigation in the human brain and its dependence on visual experience
12:30-12:50
Doron Friedman, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya
Virtual reality: A new telescope for brain research and applications
12:50-13:50:
Lunch
13:50-14:30:
Keynote lecture
Andrea Serino, EPFL
Manipulating basic multisensory-motor cues to affect high-order cognition
Session 7: Changing cognition from within: from neurofeedback to mindfulness
14:30-14:50
Rafi Malach , Weizmann Institute of Science
The noisy brain hypothesis: a potential target for cognitive improvement
14:50-15:10:
Nava Levit-Binnun, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya
Mindfulness: harnessing the faculty of attention and awareness for improvement of resilience and cognitive function
15:10-15:30:
Coffee break
15:30-15:50:
Daniel Levy, IDC
Theta Neurofeedback to Promote Early Consolidation of Learning and Memory
15:50-16:10
Tzipi Horowitz-Kraus, Technion
The role of executive functions in language and reading development - improving one affects the other
16:10-16:30
Closing remarks
16:30-17:30
Public Lecture
Roy Salomon, Bar-Ilan University
The "I" in the brain: How and why the brain creates a self and how we can change it
האני במוחי: כיצד ולמה המוח יוצר את העצמי ואיך אפשר לשנותו
Wednesday, May 24
9:30-12:00
Workshop
Mindfulness for cognitive enhancement
Nava Levit-Binnun, Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya
The workshop will demonstrate the basic elements of mindfulness practice through several short practices and discuss some of its suggested cognitive and emotional effects.