In the past decade, our ability to dissect and functionally characterize neural circuits has exploded. Even so, the biological basis on the level of synapses, cells and circuits for emotional processes or their pathologies in psychiatric disease remains one of the greatest questions in neuroscience. However, common principles arise across model organisms and diverse behaviors. The Picower Institute's Fall 2017 Symposium will bring together world-renowned experts studying the neural circuits of reward-seeking behavior, homeostasis, fear learning, exploration, and social behavior to share their latest research findings and discuss advances in and challenges for the field.