by Dr. Francesco Papaleo, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genoa, Italy

When: October 17, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: The way we perceive, process, and react to others’ emotional states (Emotion Recognition) is at the core of all animal interactions, playing a central role not only in our daily lives and well-being, but also in shaping societies. Determining the mechanisms underpinning emotion recognition will significantly advance our understanding of how individuals engage with others and the role of the social brain in health and disease. We recently developed and validated a series of innovative paradigms for mice that allow disentangling previously unexplored cell- and circuit-specific mechanisms of emotion recognition. Deploy these innovative translational socio-cognitive assessments in mice complemented by state-of-the-art genetics, single-cell imaging, and optogenetics tools we are starting to uncover evolutionary conserved substrates of emotion recognition. A special focus of our investigations is on the prefrontal cortex (PFC)-centered circuits.

2024-10-17 – Francesco Papaleo

When: September 28-29, 2024, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm (Saturday) and from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (Sunday)

Where: Palazzo del Bo, Via VIII Febbraio 2, Padova PD

Abstract: The University of Padua presents the 2024 edition of the Science4All Festival, which aims at communicating science in a simple but engaging way. The public will meet researchers from the University of Padua and participate in scientific experiments through workshops, games and other activities. All activities are free.

The Padova Neuroscience Center and our PhD Program in Neuroscience will be present at Palazzo Bo (booth No 21) and they will present “Un viaggio interattivo nel mondo delle neuroscienze“, a series of activities showing how research methods and new discoveries have improved our knowledge of the brain.

by Dr. Peter Zeidman, University College London, UK

When: September 27, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: In this talk, I will introduce methods for identifying the neural and vascular physiology that gives rise to non-invasive human neuroimaging data (e.g. MRI, fMRI, fNIRS, M/EEG). These methods enable us to go beyond simply describing our data, and test hypotheses about underlying neural and vascular mechanisms that cause the data. The key ingredients are Bayesian statistical methods, which enable us to quantify the evidence for competing explanations for how our data were generated. In particular, using worked examples from clinical and cognitive neuroscience, I will highlight 1) a Bayesian approach for statistical parametric mapping of fMRI data and Voxel Based Morphometry (VBM), and 2) state-space models of neural connectivity and vascular dynamics. All the methods I will describe are freely available in the SPM software package, among others.

2024-09-27 – Peter Zeidman

by Dr. Manuela Allegra, National Research Council and University of Padua

When: September 19, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: The ability of the brain to reorganize its structure and function in response to intrinsic or extrinsic stimuli is defined neuroplasticity. Plasticity of the nervous system is crucial throughout the lifespan, refining sensory systems during development, mediating learning and memory in adulthood and being the key mechanism for neuro-rehabilitation in case of injury and for the prevention of neurodegenerative disorders later in life. Using in vivo recording techniques (extracellular LFP recordings and calcium imaging), we will explore neuroplasticity in physiological and pathological conditions and we will describe how neuronal circuits of the hippocampus and neocortex can rewire their activity during learning and memory, and in response to brain injury.

2024-09-19 – Manuela Allegra

y Prof. Russell Poldrack, Stanford University, USA

When: September 6, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: It is now widely accepted that openness and transparency are keys to improving the reproducibility of scientific research, but many challenges remain to adoption of these practices. I will discuss the growth of an ecosystem for open science within the field of cognitive neuroscience, focusing on platforms for open data sharing and open source tools for reproducible data analysis. I will also discuss the role of the Brain Imaging Data Structure (BIDS), a community standard for data organization, in enabling this open science ecosystem, and will outline the scientific impacts of these resources.

by Dr. Andrea Zangrossi, Dept. of General Psychology, University of Padova

When: July 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: A rule of thumb in computer science is that if you give a computer the same input, you will always get the same output. However, this does not hold true for humans: providing the same sensory input can lead to a wide range of different behavioral and brain responses. How is that possible? One explanation is that brain activity and behavior are only partially grounded in the properties of the sensory input, and that behavior is strongly influenced by the brain’s intrinsic dynamics. These endogenous dynamics are thought to represent stable features of the individual as well as ongoing mental states. A logical consequence is that behavioral dynamics should convey information about the underlying individual brain/mental states.

In this seminar, I will focus on a specific domain of behavior, namely oculomotor behavior – how we scan the surrounding environment through our eye movements. Specifically, I will explore how oculomotor behavior can provide insights into both stable interindividual differences, neurodegenerative processes, and covert cognitive processing.

Indeed, previous studies have shown that eye movements can reveal individual traits and brain properties that are stable over time. Moreover, studying oculomotor behavior has important clinical applications, as it can represent a non-invasive approach for identifying novel biomarkers of dementia. Finally, the nature of eye-movement dynamics makes them suitable for studying ongoing cognitive processing and revealing covert mental states, with potential applications in forensic neuroscience.

EBRAINS is pleased to announce that the University of Padua has joined the EBRAINS AISBL as an associate member.

The membership will give the University of Padua the opportunity to co-design future iterations of EBRAINS’ cutting-edge tools and services. These state-of-the-art capabilities – which include an extensive range of brain data sets, a multilevel brain atlas, modelling and simulation tools, and access to high-performance computing resources and robotics and neuromorphic platforms – aim to help European researchers to address major challenges in brain health.

Founded in 1222, the University of Padua (UNIPD) is one of Europe’s oldest and most prestigious seats of learning and has a long tradition and consolidated reputation for scientific excellence. With over 70,000 students (over 7,000 international students) and about 2,200 professors and researchers within its 32 departments, 40 doctoral degree programs, and 44 interdisciplinary research centers, UNIPD covers an exceptionally broad research scope including Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences, Engineering, Physics, Technology, Life Sciences, Medicine, and Natural Sciences.

Supported by 7 Departments, the Padova Neuroscience Center – PNC is an UNIPD research facility with 93 research affiliates among full, associate, and assistant professors, and it hosts the UNIPD PhD Program in Neuroscience. PNC provides scientific and technical expertise in five areas: “Multimodal Neuroimaging and Analysis Methods”, “Circuits and Cellular Neuroscience”, “Cognitive, Affective and Behavioral Neuroscience”, “Translational and Clinical Neuroscience”, and “Computational Neuroscience”. For more information about PNC, please write to administration.pnc@unipd.it or visit https://www.unipd.it/en/.

“We are thrilled to join as an Associate Member the European EBRAINS network. This membership will enable our researchers to actively participate in collaborative teams focused on neuroscience, brain health, and brain-inspired technology. We believe that this partnership will open up new avenues for advancing brain-related research and that the collaborative network of EBRAINS will accelerate our efforts in understanding the brain’s complex dynamic system. We look forward to the opportunities this collaboration will bring.”
Prof. Alessandra Bertoldo
Director of the Padova Neuroscience Center, UNIPD

“This offers a unique opportunity for Padova to become a leading hub for clinical neuroscience within Europe’s leading neuroscience bioinformatics platform, significantly enhancing biomedical research. Additionally, joining the EBRAINS community will allow us to broaden and deepen our international collaborations.”
Prof. Maurizio Corbetta
Founder of the Padova Neuroscience Center, UNIPD

“We are delighted to welcome the University of Padua as an associate member at EBRAINS. The university brings with it a wealth of experience in many branches of brain research, including neuroimaging, cognitive neuroscience, and computational neuroscience.”
Philippe Vernier
Joint-CEO of EBRAINS

About EBRAINS

The EBRAINS research infrastructure, a key outcome and legacy of the EU-funded Human Brain Project (HBP), was officially launched in 2019. Two years later, in 2021, EBRAINS was included in the Roadmap of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI). In this next phase, after the recent conclusion of the HBP, EBRAINS will complete the transition into a sustainable infrastructure.

EBRAINS is an open research infrastructure that gathers high-quality research data, tools and computing facilities for brain-related research, built with interoperability at the core. The infrastructure offers an extensive range of FAIR data sets, a most comprehensive multilevel brain atlas, AI-based tools for analysis, modelling and simulation tools, and access to high-performance computing resources, robotics and neuromorphic platforms to researchers.

by Dr. Antonio Maffei, Dept. of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova

When: June 27, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Aula 2C-Psico2 (Building PSICO2, Via Venezia 12, Padova)

Abstract: The dominant approach to the study of emotions and affective processes does not typically take into account that affective reactions are constantly shaped by the presence of others. Additionally, they also shape others’ behavior and emotions. Recently, there has been a growing interest toward devising novel approaches and paradigms to overcome this limitation. A promising area of affective research, where encompassing the social dimension can make an important role, is stress reactivity. In this talk, I will review a series of psychophysiological studies on the processes of social stress buffering and stress contagion, and how these are linked with health and well-being. The goal will be showing how these two processes can be considered as two sides of the same coin, namely emotional co-regulation. Furthermore, I will discuss the significance of interindividual synchronization of physiological markers of stress, such as cortisol and heart rate variability, as a potential objective biomarker of social allostatic load, and how it could be used to quantify emotional co-dysregulation in social groups.

Dept. of Biomedical Sciences remembers fomer PNC affiliate Matteo Caleo

A PNC talk by Elena Becker-Barroso, Editor-in-Chief at The Lancet Neurology

A PNC talk by Alessandro Farnè, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, France

A PNC talk by Pascal Fries (Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany)

A PNC talk by Stan Dehaene (INSERM Unit 562, “Cognitive Neuroimaging”, France, and Collège de France)

by Dr. Arianna Menardi, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova

When: April 11, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: The study of the functional connectome allows us to understand the routes of information flow in the brain. When applied to the single subject level, it enables us to map how differences in the region-to-region communication translate into differences in cognitive functioning. In light of this, we are witnessing a shift in the literature, gradually moving from group-level inferences to the study of interindividual differences. Most importantly, the emergence of concepts such as those of Precision Medicine are further pushing the new frontiers in Research towards that of highly individualized protocols in light of the individual clinical-biological makeup. Within this framework, I will present several studies that we have conducted in which the anatomy and functional connectome of the individual were employed to i) personalize stimulation protocols; ii) understand the degree of heritability of the functional connectivity; iii) relate topological efficiency to cognitive fitness. Furthermore, I will overview the importance of resting state activity, challenging its view as solely reflecting baseline activity in the brain, but rather as a biomarker of both high order functioning and pathology, such as in Alzheimer’s Disease.

by Dr. Lorenzo Pini, Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova

When: March 28, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: At rest, our brain never rests. Even in the absence of external input, the brain continues to engage in a variety of intrinsic processes. Several tools can be used to assess this never ending activity, such as resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI). Although vascular in nature, rsfMRI is considered a reliable proxy of the neural activity allowing to unravel the functional organization of the brain, consisting of a hierarchical structure organized into polyfunctional neural networks. This configuration has been termed the “functional connectome”. On the other hand, diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) can be used to infer distal and local structural connections between brain regions (the structural connectome), complementing the functional connectome. Recent theories state that this functional and structural scaffold may represent the foundation of cognitive abilities. Brain conditions affecting neural health impact the connectome. Breakdown of connectivity can predict cognitive deficits in a broad range of psychiatric and neurological diseases, reinforcing the assumption that the connectome is a fundamental characteristic of cognitive processes. In this seminar we will discuss the relationship between brain structural functional connections with behavior in several neurological diseases, such as proteinopathies, stroke and brain tumors. By examining how the connectome and several pathophysiological mechanisms interact we can gain valuable insights into the underlying processes that support cognitive abilities. Furthermore, by identifying novel biomarkers through rsfMRI and DWI, we can improve the management and diagnosis of brain disorders, ultimately leading to better treatment outcomes for patients.

When: March 11, 2024, and March 14-15, 2024

Where: Archivio Antico, Palazzo Bo (March 11 and 14), and Sala dei Giganti, Palazzo Liviano, Padova (March 15)

Abstract: All’interno della “Brain Awareness Week”, ricorrenza annuale dedicata a sollecitare la pubblica consapevolezza nei confronti della ricerca sul cervello, l’Università di Padova propone una serie di iniziative che esplorano il funzionamento del cervello, con particolare attenzione a tre temi principali: “Arte e cervello” (Palazzo del Bo, 11 marzo, ore 17), “Cervello sano e cervello malato: prevenzione e intercettazione dei primi sintomi” (Palazzo del Bo, 14 marzo, ore 17) e “Il cervello plastico” (Sala dei Giganti, 15 marzo, ore 10).

Link alla notizia su “ilbo live”

by Prof. Paola Sessa, Department of Developmental Psychology and Socialisation, University of Padova

When: February 15, 2024, at 3:00 pm

Where: Sala Seminari VIMM (Fondazione per la Ricerca Biomedica Avanzata Onlus, Via Orus 2, Padova)

Abstract: This presentation delves into the role of embodiment and sensorimotor simulation in processing facial expressions, challenging traditional views with insights from studies on healthy participants and Moebius Syndrome (MBS) patients, who have facial palsy. It begins by emphasizing the evolutionary sophistication of human facial muscles for non-verbal communication and introduces the core and extended systems in the brain responsible for interpreting these expressions. Through a series of experiments, the speaker explores how altered facial mimicry affects perception, awareness, and memory of emotions, revealing nuanced findings that also suggest empathy and alexithymic traits play significant roles. The conclusions advocate for an integrated model of emotion recognition that combines embodiment with cognitive processing/strategies, suggesting that understanding emotion is more complex than previously thought.

A PNC talk by Daniel Margulies (CNSR, University of Paris)

When: January 26, 2024, 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Where: Aula Nievo, Palazzo Bo (Via VIII Febbraio, Padova)

Developments in robotics allow people with profound neuromuscular deficits after stroke to walk with assistance (during the gait cycle) using an exoskeleton robot. Integrating a robotic device with individualised user electroencephalography (EEG /electrical activity in the motor areas in the brain) and EMG (muscle) feedback would allow more physiological and targeted gait parameters in response to effort and confer neuroplastic training effects including neuromodulation of temporal and spatial features of gait.

PRO GAIT is funded by Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union

A PNC Seminar by Enrico Collantoni (Department of Neurosciences, University of Padova)

A PNC Seminar by Davide Momi (Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, Toronto, Canada)

30 November – 2 December 2023
Villa Parco Bolasco, Catselfranco Veneto

A PNC Seminar by Loren Koçillari (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia – IIT, Trento, and Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf)

When: November 10, 2023 – starting at 9:00 am

Where: Conservatorio Benedetto Marcello (Sestiere San Marco, Campiello Pisani 2810, Venice)

Abstract: Partendo dal ritrovamento nella Germania sud-occidentale di “flauti” risalenti a circa 40 000 anni fa, ottenuti in generale dalle ossa lunghe delle ali di rapaci, il simposio verterà sulle ragioni che hanno spinto il genere Homo a creare sistemi musicali prima dei graffiti e delle piccole sculture del neolitico. Questo ha dato origine alla cultura musicale, facendone forse la forma più primigenia del pensiero simbolico: il tema dominante è quindi il legame tra il cervello e la musica. Altri due temi d’intervento, altrettanto cruciali, sono: da un lato, stabilire quale delle due specie del genere Homo – i Sapiens e i Neanderthal – abbiano prodotto gli strumenti; dall’altro, identificare le ragioni alla base dell’origine della musica, che è legata all’evoluzione del pensiero: se si correlavano allo sviluppo di specifiche aree cerebrali implicate nella creazione dei suoni, e/o alla sfera emozionale, e/o al progresso del linguaggio.

Gli interventi vedranno la partecipazione di evoluzionisti della specie umana; paleogenetisti interessati all’evoluzione del cervello; musicologi che rintraccino le origini della musica, tra cui musicologi che indaghino sul ruolo ‘bioacustico’ del canto degli uccelli e altri animali; psicologi e neuroscienziati esperti dei meccanismi cerebrali del suono; esperti del linguaggio primitivo. A conclusione della giornata, la musicista Anna Friederike Potengowski terrà un concerto usando un flauto paleolitico restaurato.

Ulteriori informazioni sono disponibili a questo link.

L’evento gratuito ma si richiede la registrazione all’indirizzo accrediti@istitutoveneto.it.

A PNC-DNS Seminar by Paolo Bonato (Harvard Medical School & Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Boston MA)

A PNC talk by Valter Tucci (Italian Institute of Technology – IIT, Genoa)

Science4All Festival: communicating science in a simple but engaging way

Connecting preclinical and clinical research for a better understanding of the neurobiology of Anorexia Nervosa

A PNC talk by Larry Abbott (Columbia University)

A PNC talk by Camillo Porcaro (University of Padova)

A PNC talk by Andrea Serino (University Hospital of Lausanne – CHUV)

A PNC talk by Michela Fagiolini (Harvard Medical School, Boston Children’s Hospital)

A PNC talk by Ben Harvey (University of Utrecht)

A talk by Prof. Giovanna Citti (University of Bologna)

“La nuova era del cervello” è il tema dell’edizione 2023 della Settimana mondiale del cervello, che propone due giornate ricche di eventi dedicati alla cittadinanza.

Torna l’appuntamento con i seminari della Brain Awareness Week, la settimana internazionale di divulgazione delle neuroscienze.

Seminar and book presentation by Prof. Alessandro Martini, School of Medicine, Padova
When: Nov 22nd, 2022
Where: Aula Magna Clinica Neurologica, Padova

The “Padova Neuroscience Center – PNC” is glad to inform that one of our members, Alessandro Salvalaggio, has been recently awarded a “Poster Award” for the 2022 ANA Annual Meeting in Chicago. Congratulations!

The closing conference of the H2020 EU Project “PD_Pal”: Palliative Care in Parkinson’s Disease will take place on November 25th and 26th, 2022 in Padua.

Promossa dall’Università di Padova, la manifestazione Science4All è rivolta a tutta la cittadinanza e mira a comunicare la scienza in modo semplice e divertente con eventi a libero accesso.

Il XXX congresso della Associazione Italiana di Psicologia si terrà presso la Scuola di Psicologia dell’Università di Padova: le giornate congressuali inizieranno martedì 27 settembre e termineranno venerdì 30 settembre 2022.