International Congress of Neuroendocrinology in Pittsburgh June 19-22

PITTSBURGH– Sexual development and behavior, appetite regulation and obesity, response to stress, even the ability to get a good night's sleep – are all determined by various hormones and their interactions with the brain. Indeed, the neuroendocrine system begins to hold sway when we are mere fetuses in the womb – in some cases, influencing behaviors that may not appear until much later in life – and continues to command many facets of our health and mood. Research suggests the activity of certain hormones may even decide our longevity.

These and other topics related to the neuroendocrine system and its role throughout the life span will be discussed at the 6th International Congress of Neuroendocrinology (ICN 2006) in Pittsburgh from June 19 to 22. Held in a different part of the world every four years under the auspices of the International Neuroendocrine Federation, this year's congress – Bridging Neuroscience and Endocrinology – is being sponsored by the American Neuroendocrine Society and the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. Media are invited to attend.

The scientific program includes six plenary lectures, 24 symposia and more than 300 poster presentations covering both clinical and basic science research. The first day's program is being held in conjunction with the 10th Annual Meeting of the Society for Behavioral Neuroendocrinology. The size of the meeting, with about 750 participants, affords media easy access to the field's leading experts and its young investigators from around the world.

Among the topics to be covered at ICN 2006 are:

The role of serotonin in and the genetic basis for aggression in men
Effects of early puberty on development of eating disorders and anxiety later in life
A newly discovered neuropeptide that suppresses all stages of sleep and may represent a target for the treatment of schizophrenia
Results of clinical studies looking at oxytocin for reducing psychosocial stress during marital conflict and growth hormone for increasing muscle mass and physical activity in older men and women

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All sessions will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in downtown Pittsburgh. A staffed press room will be available on site and media briefings will be held each day. The scientific program is available at http://www.icn2006.com/pdf/ICN2006-Program.pdf and additional details about the meeting at http://www.icn2006.com/. To request abstracts or register as press, please contact Lisa Rossi at RossiL@upmc.edu or (412) 647-3555. For a limited time, the Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh is offering a special room rate of $129. Room reservations can be made by calling the hotel directly at (412) 281-3700 or 888-627-8180. Be sure to mention that you are attending ICN 2006.

Formerly the International Society of Neuroendocrinology, the International Neuroendocrinology Federation consists of six member societies and seven regional groups, representing all parts of the world. The federation's president is John A. Russell, MBChB, Ph.D., chair of neuroendocrinology, University of Edinburgh. The chair of the ICN 2006 scientific program is Iain J. Clarke, Ph.D., professorial fellow in the department of physiology, Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research in Australia. Tony Plant, Ph.D., professor of cell biology and physiology and director of the Center for Research in Reproductive Physiology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, is chair of the local organizing committee.

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