Our brain is one of the most complex products of evolution and the basis for our higher cognitive ability. Where do we come from? How did our species originate? Which evolutionary events sculpted our ancestors to finally give rise to what we are? These are frequent and fundamental questions for mankind, ultimately aimed at understanding what led during evolution to the emergence of what makes us most distinct from the rest of living organisms: our brain. There are dramatic differences in size, organization, complexity and function of the adult nervous system across species, from cephalopods to fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, all of which are the result of embryonic development. Comparing similarities and differences between species during development, and understanding their adaptative meaning, brings us closer to understanding the genetic and cellular mechanisms that establish brain organization, and their evolutionary relationships. Identifying these differences allows us not only to understand the process of brain evolution, but also to understand much more precisely the emergence of our own brain. In this context, there has been very significant progress recently in elucidating the evolution of molecular, cellular and functional mechanisms of the nervous system, since its most simple to the most complex versions.

ECCN2025 will bring together the greatest experts and world leaders in this fascinating research field, to update and discuss on the latest progress and discoveries. As in previous editions, this will be an ideal occasion to discuss in detail how distinct parameters of the developing and mature brain vary between organisms, and the underlying sequence of evolutionary events and their mechanistic bases.