News & Events (134)

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Events (126) News and Press release (99)

Our Restless Brain – Exploring the Brain’s Dark Energy

by prof. Marcus E. Raichle, Washington University in St. Louis

When: June 17th, 2021 – 5:00 pm

Where: Zoom meeting

Abstract: The core idea in this talk is that brain-wide, ongoing activity is essential for brain function and behavior. This activity accounts for 20% of the energy consumption of an adult human even though the brain contributes only 2% to the weight of the body. Brain activity associated with task performance is associated with surprisingly small regional changes in brain energy consumption. These changes are so small that they have no effect on the overall brain energy consumption. The emerging challenge for neuroscience is to understand the contribution this very high-energy consumption makes to brain function.

Brain dynamics related to short-term memory and learning

by prof. Fritjof Helmchen, Brain Research Institute of the University of Zurich, Switzerland

When: Apr 29th, 2021 – 3:00 pm

Where: Zoom meeting

Abstract: Through the combination of in vivo optical imaging and chronic expression of genetically encoded calcium indicators it is now feasible to directly ‘watch’ brain activity patterns related to specific behaviors. I will introduce wide-field calcium imaging and multi-fiber photometry as two complementary methods that enable measurements across mouse neocortex and in large sets of subcortical regions, respectively. Specific patterns of brain-wide signal flow that occur in mice performing whisker-based or auditory sensory discrimination tasks will be discussed, highlighting salient patterns related to short-term memory.

The Brain Prize Seminar Series “Migraine and Headache”: Prof. Daniela Pietrobon among the speakers

In 2021 The Brain Prize, the world’s largest award for neuroscience, was awarded to
Jes Olesen, Lars Edvinsson, Peter Goadsby and Michael Moskowitz for their work on
the causes and treatment of migraine.
The Brain Prize seminar series on migraine and headache consists of 12 seminars from
international leaders in the field including the 2021 Brain Prize winners.
The series started in April 2021 and it will end in March 2022 and covers topics including
mechanistic studies in patients and animal models, genetics of migraine, cluster- and
post-traumatic headache, and treatment of migraine and headache disorders.

Prof. Daniela Pietrobon, affiliated with the “Padova Neuroscience Center-PNC”, on October 28th, 2021 at 4:00 PM CET will talk about “Migraine – a disorder of E-I balance?

Settimana Mondiale del Cervello

Webinar, Università di Padova

When: Mar 19th, 2021 – 6:00 pm

Where: Zoom Meeting and live on Facebook

Abstract: La “Brain awareness week” è una ricorrenza annuale dedicata a sollecitare la pubblica consapevolezza nei confronti della ricerca sul cervello. All’iniziativa, coordinata dalla Dana Foundation, partecipano società neuroscientifiche, università, istituti ed enti di ricerca di tutto il mondo.

L’Università di Padova in occasione della Brain Awareness Week, la settimana internazionale di divulgazione delle neuroscienze, propone una serie di incontri online: gli interventi sono tenuti da giovani ricercatori e ricercatrici dell’Università di Padova, appartenenti a diversi dipartimenti e accomunati dallo studio del cervello.

fMRI-based Quantitative Mapping of Human Brain Cerebrovascular and Metabolic Function

by prof. Richard Wise, Universita’ degli Studi “G.d’Annunzio” di Chieti-Pescara

When: Mar 18th, 2021 – 3:00 pm

Where: Zoom meeting

Abstract: In the last 30 years blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) fMRI has taught us a great detail about human brain organisation. However, it only tells us where brain activity is changing without telling us by how much or what the baseline level of activity is. We and others are working on fMRI methods to map the absolute rate of cerebral metabolic oxygen consumption as a marker of the physiological state of brain tissue in health and disease. Development of these methods has resulted in a toolkit for assessing oxygen consumption and cerebrovascular function (including vascular reactivity and arterial compliance) that is yielding interesting results in our pilot clinical studies in epilepsy and multiple sclerosis and in the study of the healthy brain.