Modeling the navigational circuitry of the fly

by Prof. Larry Abbott (William Bloor Professor of Theoretical Neuroscience and Professor of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics (in Biological Sciences), Principal Investigator at Columbia’s Zuckerman Institute and Codirector of Columbia’s Kavli Institute for Brain Science)

When: September 28, 2023, at 3:00 pm

Where: Aula Magna “Lepschy” (Building DEI/D, 1st floor – Complesso di Ingegneria dell’Informazione, Via Gradenigo 6B, Padova)

Navigation requires orienting oneself relative to landmarks in the environment, evaluating relevant sensory data, remembering goals, and convert all this information into motor commands that direct locomotion.

I will present models, highly constrained by connectomic, physiological and behavioral data, of how these functions are accomplished in the fly brain.

Characterisation of Brain Dynamics at Rest by Fractal Dimension

by Prof. Camillo Porcaro (Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova)

When: September 21, 2023, at 3:00 pm

Where: Aula Magna Clinica Neurologica (Via Giustiniani 5, Padova)

In the last two decades, ongoing brain fluctuations at rest (i.e. in the absence of external stimulation and response demands) have consistently been documented to be organised into large-scale networks, each of them characterised by specific structural and functional architectures. These are known as resting-state networks (RSNs) and have been widely reported in numerous neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies. Furthermore, alterations to RSNs have been observed during healthy ageing as well as in many neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.

Peripersonal space (PPS) as an interface for self-environment interactions

by Prof. Andrea Serino (University Hospital of Lausanne – CHUV)

When: July 6, 2023, at 3:00 pm

Where: Aula Magna Ederle (Via Belzoni 160, Padova)

Peripersonal space (PPS) is the region where body-environment interactions predominantly occur. It is represented by a specialized neural system that integrates external cues and tactile stimuli, acting as a fundamental interface between individuals and their surroundings.

This presentation examines the neural and computational mechanisms of PPS in humans, along with its primary functions and properties. I will present data about the dynamic nature of PPS and its optimization for body-environment interactions. I will explore the reciprocal relationship between PPS and social interactions, emphasizing its involvement in social cognition and susceptibility to social modulation.

Circuit dissection in neurodevelopmental disorders from mouse to human

by Prof. Michela Fagiolini (Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital and Specialty Chief Editor of Frontiers of Neuroscience Neurodevelopment)

When: June 29, 2023, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Building A, Ground Floor, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Understanding the mechanisms underlying experience-dependent brain development and refinement in neurodevelopmental disorders can guide the design of effective target therapies. Over the past years, we have discovered a clear visual cortical phenotype in mouse models of Rett Syndrome(RTT), a monogenic neurodevelopmental disorder, and demonstrated its rescue by environmental, genetic, and pharmacological manipulation of the major inhibitory circuits, Parvalbumin-positive cortical circuits. These results reveal a specific role for MECP2 in the experience-dependent refinement of cortical circuits by regulating the excitation of pivotal inhibitory neurons.

Revealing mechanisms of sensory and cognitive processing with ultra-high field fMRI

by Prof. Ben Harvey (University of Utrecht)

When: June 22, 2023, at 3:00 pm

Where: Aula T2-CLA (Via Venezia 16, Padova)

Ultra-high field MRI (at 7T or more) gives exceptionally clear measurement of the structure and responses of the human brain. This excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) is often used to image brain structure and function at very high resolution. However, at more conventional resolutions (between 1.5 and 2 mm), 7T fMRI allows us to characterize neural responses in much greater detail than 3T fMRI for several reasons. First, the spread of the 7T BOLD signal is far smaller than at 3T, giving a far more spatially specific signal even at the same nominal resolution.

Imaging nucleare nelle patologie neurodegenerative

Relatrice: Prof.ssa Silvia Daniela Morbelli, IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino Genova

Quando: 6 giugno 2023 dalle ore 16:00

Dove: Aula Magna della Clinica Neurologica

Informazioni utili: L’incontro si articolerà in due parti. Nella prima, dalle ore 16:00 alle 17:00, ci sarà la discussione di casi clinici. Nella seconda, dalle ore 17.30 alle 18.30, ci sarà il seminario.