2026 Mechanisms of Epilepsy and Neuronal Synchronization Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

About This Grant

PROJECT SUMMARY The Mechanisms of Epilepsy and Neuronal Synchronization Gordon Research Conference is a highly successful meeting, and provides an unparalleled opportunity for the epilepsy research community to discuss unpublished, cutting-edge science. The upcoming meeting’s theme is “Current Controversies and Unsolved Questions”, highlighting our focus on innovative approaches to tackling long-standing questions and our resolve to promote lively participant discussions. Session topics include advanced analyses for complex data sets, the complexity of neuronal circuits and networks, oscillations & neuronal synchronization (both within and beyond the context of epilepsy), new treatments and potentially even cures for epilepsy, controversies surrounding cortical spreading depression, roles of non-neuronal cell types, and new tools and approaches from outside the epilepsy field which may allow critical advancements in our understanding of mechanisms of epilepsy and neuronal synchronization. An additional major focus of the 2026 meeting is fostering the next generation of scientists. To this end, we have a range of career stages presenting at the meeting, with the invited speaker list including early-stage investigators, including at the graduate student, postdoctoral, and assistant professor levels, and with additional reserved speaker slots to be chosen from submitted abstracts to further bolster the participation of early stage investigators conducting innovative science and emerging as future leaders in the field. We are additionally including several new initiatives to further the engagement of trainees at the meeting, and the GRC will be preceded by a Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) focused entirely on trainees. The theme of the 2026 GRS will be “Next-Generation Perspectives from Molecules to Networks”, highlighting the focus on future leaders and the planned scientific content, which will range from molecular to circuits. Together, the Mechanisms of Epilepsy and Neuronal Synchronization GRC and GRS provide a unique and critical resource for the epilepsy research community to share innovative science, build community and establish collaborations, and foster the future of the field.