Events 31 August – 2 September 2023 5th Japan-UK Neuroscience Symposium, 2023

The 5^th Japan-UK Neuroscience Symposium was held in Pontyclun in Wales, UK, from 31^st August until 2^nd September 2023, jointly sponsored by AMED and the Medical Research Council (MRC). With the aim to disseminate knowledge and foster collaboration between the neuroscience communities of Japan and the UK, the symposium brought together more than 60 participants from universities, research institutions, and private companies. The organisers particularly encouraged the involvement of early career researchers (ECRs) who would be the ones to carry forward these partnerships in the future.

The symposium was opened with remarks from the Embassy of Japan in the UK, and words of welcome from both sponsoring funding agencies. The agenda featured thematic sessions on “motor neuron disease/frontal temporal dementia”, “neuropsychiatric disorder and computational psychiatry”, “Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases”, “new technologies”, and “circuits and behaviour”, with several presentations from both sides followed by active questions and answers. There were also plenary talks on “Compulsivity: Neural basis and psychiatric implications” by Trevor Robbins (University of Cambridge), and “Capturing and measuring circuit dynamics in active ensembles during cognition” by Haruhiko Bito (University of Tokyo), and a poster session focusing on the work of ECRs with prizes awarded to the best posters as chosen by a vote among the participants. There were plenty of opportunities provided for participants to meet and discuss ideas for collaboration – including at informal receptions and dinners – in order to foster the formation of new research partnerships.

Based on the Memorandum of Cooperation signed between AMED and the MRC in February 2017 and renewed in September 2022, the Japan-UK Neuroscience Symposium is held annually, with the location alternating between Japan and the UK. The next symposium is expected to be held in January 2025 in Japan, and AMED and the MRC hope to continue to work together to support the advancement of Japan-UK cooperation in the field of neuroscience.