Neuroscience 2025: Your Guide to the SfN Conference Themes
The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) Conference returns to San Diego, November 15–19, 2025, bringing together thousands of researchers, clinicians, and innovators from across the globe. This year’s program covers eleven core scientific themes, each exploring cutting-edge questions and breakthroughs in brain science.
Hot Topics for SfN Neuroscience Conference in San Diego 2025
Expect lively discussions on:
- Neuro-immune therapies for Alzheimer’s and aging.
- AI-driven neuroscience tools for data analysis and brain mapping.
- Parallel memory circuits in the hippocampus.
- Advances in glial cell research for neurodegenerative disease intervention.
Scientific Themes of SfN Neuroscience Conference in San Diego
Theme A – Development: Neural development, early-life stress, and evolution of brain circuits.
Theme B – Neural Excitability, Synapses, and Glia: Synaptic plasticity, glial biology, and neural signaling in health and disease.
Theme C – Neural Aging and Degeneration: Alzheimer’s, dementia, and mechanisms of brain aging.
Theme D – Neuroimmunity, Neurovasculature, and Neural Injury: Brain–immune interactions, vascular health, and recovery from injury.
Theme E – Sensory Systems: Visual, auditory, tactile, and pain processing.
Theme F – Motor Systems: Motor cortex circuits, movement disorders, and neural control of motion.
Theme G – Integrative Physiology and Behavior: Social behavior, critical periods, and evolutionary neurobiology.
Theme H – Motivation and Emotion: Addiction, dopamine signaling, and emotional learning.
Theme I – Cognition: Memory formation, time perception, and decision-making circuits.
Theme J – Techniques: Advanced imaging, AI applications, neuromodulation tools, and cryo-electron tomography.
Theme K – History, Education, and Society: Neuroethics, public engagement, and historical perspectives.
Key Dates
- Advance registration deadline: October 6, 2025
- Conference dates: November 15–19, 2025
- Exhibit dates: November 16–19, 2025
- Late-breaking abstract submission opens: September 3, 2025
- Last day for students to make hotel reservations from the student block: August 25, 2025
After a day of cutting-edge neuroscience, it’s time to give your brain a different kind of stimulation — the kind that comes from salty ocean air, colorful sunsets, and maybe a few tacos and local brews.
Must-Visit Places while you are in San Diego
- Balboa Park (Cultural and Scientific Hub): Set aside a couple of hours to wander through lush gardens and explore museums that merge nature, art, and science.
- La Jolla Cove & Scripps Institution of Oceanography (Marine Science and Scenic Beauty): Watch sea lions bask on the rocks, stroll the shoreline, or visit the Birch Aquarium for a glimpse into ocean research.
- USS Midway Museum (Engineering and History): Climb aboard this massive aircraft carrier for an up-close look at naval innovation and life at sea.
- Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve (Ecology and Geology): Take a breathtaking coastal hike (easy to medium difficulty) through rare pine forests and along dramatic cliffs.
- San Diego Zoo (Biology and Conservation): A world-famous zoo and a paradise for biologists, with cutting-edge conservation programs, but plan extra time to explore it all.
Restaurant Suggestions Nearby
Because conferences are better with good food, here’s where to refuel:
- Gaslamp Quarter (short walk):
- Lion’s Share: Creative, farm-to-table menu with a cozy speakeasy vibe.
- Osteria Panevino: A beloved Italian spot serving rich pastas and warm hospitality.
- Café Sevilla: Spanish tapas, sangria, and live music to wind down your day.
- Seaport Village (Scenic Walk) Just go around the Convention Center for a short, waterfront stroll and you’ll arrive at this charming bayfront dining area:
- Puesto: Modern Mexican tacos with vibrant flavors and bay views.
- Mike Hess Brewing : Great craft beer, excellent tacos, and a second-floor balcony overlooking the marina.
- Bonus: Gliderport Café: 20 minutes drive to an unbeatable view of the ocean with casual bites while paragliders launch and land against the backdrop of the Pacific.
Don’t forget to visit Glint Lab : just a 30-minute drive from the convention center and well worth it, especially if you want to meet the people behind the great work we do. At Glint Lab, we provide top-tier neuro histology CRO services to accelerate your neuroscience research with precision and speed. Whether you’re working on neurodevelopment, degeneration, or circuit mapping, our team is here to help. Read more about our approach in Neuro Histology or contact one of our scientists to start the conversation.
See you at the 2025 SfN Neuroscience Conference in San Diego
