Start date: 20261007
End date: 20261009
Location: Bari, Italy
The MMN Conference is a unique platform dedicated to advancing our understanding of Mismatch Negativity and related neural signatures of prediction, prediction error, change detection, and memory processes across species, senses, and in both health and disease. The conference’s mission is to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, clinicians, and professionals, with the shared goal of uncovering the mechanisms behind the brain responses to prediction violations. We warmly invite you to be part of MMN 2026 in Bari, where cutting-edge science meets historic heritage, gastronomy, and local tradition. Together, let us explore the intricacies of how the brain detects and reacts to mismatches, forging new insights in neuroscience and contributing to the advancement of knowledge.
***Publication Opportunities***
High-quality MMN-2026 conference papers will be selected for publication at the journal Hearing Research (https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/hearing-research), an international, peer-reviewed, interdisciplinary journal published by Elsevier, ranking Q1 for Audiology.
*** Topics and Areas ***
The key theme of the conference is “The Predictive Brain in Health and Disease”. MMN-2026 solicits high-quality original research papers for symposia and for both oral and poster presentations. Relevant topics include but are not limited to:
- Adaptation vs genuine deviance detection
- Precision weighting and hierarchical prediction errors
- Computational psychiatry and neural network models
- Dynamic causal modelling and connectivity
- Paradigms, stimulation and ecological validity
- Source localisation, intracranial recordings and multimodal imaging
- Neural generators and cortical–subcortical circuitry
- NMDA receptor mechanisms
- The role of attention
- Rare genetic diseases
- Genetics and heritability of predictive processing
- Modulatory effects of emotions
- Multisensory and cross-modal mismatch responses
- Sensory memory, statistical learning and perceptual plasticity
- Sleep and consolidation of predictive models
- Development of predictive processing across the lifespan
- Healthy ageing and sensory decline
- Speech and language processing, bilingualism and dyslexia
- Music perception, rhythm and complex auditory scenes
- Psychosis and schizophrenia spectrum disorders
- Neurodevelopmental disorders (autism, ADHD, learning disorders)
- Mood and anxiety disorders
- Neurological disorders and brain injury
- Cognitive correlates of chronic pain and headache
- Hearing impairment, cochlear implants and auditory rehabilitation
- Pharmacology, ketamine and clinical trials
- MMN as a transdiagnostic biomarker and precision medicine
- Cognitive training, neurofeedback and brain–computer interfaces
- Animal models and translational research
- Large datasets, reproducibility, ethics and future directions
*** Abstract Submission ***
Research abstracts are encouraged by the 20th of August (extended deadline) and will be accepted for presentations in an oral presentation format and/or poster presentation format. Each abstract submission should include the title of the paper and an abstract body within 250 words.
*** Organizing Committee ***
General Chairs:
Elvira Brattico (Aarhus University, DenmarkM University of Bari, Italy)
Giulio Pergola (University of Bari, Italy; Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD)
Marina De Tommaso (University of Bari; Bari University Hospital, Italy)
Scientific Board:
Manuel Malmierca (University of Salamanca, Spain)
Eric Schröger (University of Leipzig, Germany)
Hirooki Yabe (Fukushima Medical University, Japan)
István Winkler (Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Hungary)
Mari Tervaniemi (University of Helsinki, Finland)
Teija Kujala (University of Helsinki, Finland)
Juanita Todd (University of Newcastle, Australia)
Patricia Michie (University of Newcastle, Australia)
Valéria Csépe (RCNS Brain Imaging Centre, Hungary)
Carles Escera (University of Barcelona, Spain)
Organizing Board:
Nicola Sambuco (University of Bari, Italy)
Gabriele Russo (University of Bari, Italy)
Christian Valt (University of Bari, Italy)
Marianna Delussi (University of Bari, Italy)
Benedetta Matarrelli (University of Bari, Italy)
Giulio Carraturo (University of Bari, Italy)
Francesco Carlomagno (Polytechnic University of Bari, Italy)
Peter Vuust (Aarhus University, Denmark)
Hella Kastbjerg (Aarhus University, Denmark)
Tina Bach Aaen (Aarhus University, Denmark)
