The Centre for Cognitive and Brain Sciences (CCBS) of the Institute of Collaborative Innovation (ICI) is determined to organize the first International Symposium on Addiction and Decision Making, which will be held in the University of Macau (UM) campus between 19 and 20 November 2021, as sponsored by the University of Macau Development Fund.

Although scientists have been studying the structure and function of human brain for decades, it remains an unanswered mystery. In view of the strategic significance of its theoretical significance and application prospects, UM made a strategic decision in 2019 to establish a unique campus-wide program named CCBS to harness and enhance the multidisciplinary research and educational skills of the entire university in cognitive and brain sciences. CCBS is dedicated to enhancing interdisciplinary cognition and brain sciences and translating discoveries into solutions for health and society. CCBS aims at becoming a leading research and education institution in cognition and brain sciences in the Guangdong-Hongkong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The objective of the first International Symposium on Addiction and Decision Making is to share recent results of global scientific research in the field of neuroscience of addiction and decision making.

The two-day event will bring together fundamental scientists, clinician-scientists, and learners from diverse backgrounds to discuss the latest, most exciting cognitive brain science on addiction and decision making. The program will feature plenary sessions, poster session, and keynote speakers on the following topics:

1. how the neural circuits that control emotions, attention, executive function, motor, motivations, and decision-making are altered through behavioral addiction and recovery;
2. how to carry out the treatment for behavioral addiction;
3. the theoretical model, risk and uncertainly, rewards and loss, cooperation and trust, goal-directed and other perspectives related to decision making.
4. functional neuroimaging of decision making/behavioral addiction;
5. brain stimulation and decision making/behavioral addiction;
6. neuroeconomics-related decision making/addiction.

We look forward to gathering safely with everyone!

Professor Zhen YUAN

Chair of Organizing Committee

Interim Head of CCBS, University of Macau