Foreword

Understanding cognition remains one of the most ambitious and integrative challenges in neuroscience. From the molecular and cellular mechanisms of learning to the complex dynamics of social behavior, and the impact of environmental factors on brain function, cognitive processes result from interactions that transcend levels of organisation, species, and disciplines.

This thematic meeting will explore the many facets of cognition through a varied program of 15 conferences, including three plenary lectures, as well as the prestigious Alfred Fessard Lecture delivered by Claire Rampon. The meeting will also feature poster sessions and short presentations by young researchers (Master students, PhD candidates, and postdocs), providing opportunities for the next generation of neuroscientists to share their work. Speakers from France and abroad will highlight outstanding contributions across behavioral neuroscience, computational modeling, psychophysics, and systems biology. By building bridges between research on animal and human cognition, we aim to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and open new perspectives on the mechanisms that shape learning, memory, social interactions and decision-making.

In addition, a roundtable discussion will provide a space dedicated to reflecting on the ecological validity of our experimental paradigms and how to better align our research questions with the real-world challenges of cognition.

Cognition, studied in many animal species including humans, has historically been at the heart of neuroscience research in Toulouse, making it a distinctive strength of our community. We are therefore particularly delighted to host this meeting in our city, known not only for its strong scientific tradition but also for its beauty, vibrant cultural life, and sunny, welcoming atmosphere.

The Local Organizing Committee
Laure Verret, Coordinator
Florence Rémy, Elsa Suberbielle, Lionel Dahan, Vincent Fourcassié, Mehdi Senoussi