Neuroscience

Synapses are highly dynamic structures that remodel in response to experience, learning, and environmental changes. Plasticity at the synaptic level underlies the brain’s ability to store information and adapt to new circumstances. Understanding the mechanisms of synaptic plasticity is essential for deciphering learning and memory processes, as well as for developing interventions for neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders where plasticity is impaired.

• Long-term potentiation and depression
• Circuit refinement during development
• Synaptic pruning and formation
• Structural plasticity of dendritic spines

The adult brain retains the ability to generate new neurons in specific regions, offering significant potential for regenerative medicine. Harnessing neurogenesis and stem cell technology can help restore damaged neural circuits caused by injury, stroke, or neurodegenerative diseases. Advances in cell therapy, differentiation protocols, and transplantation strategies are paving the way for personalized treatment approaches aimed at functional recovery.

• Neural stem cell therapy
• Differentiation into functional neurons
• Integration into neural circuits
• Brain repair strategies

Glial cells, including astrocytes, microglia, and oligodendrocytes, play critical roles in maintaining neuronal health, regulating synaptic activity, and controlling neuroinflammatory responses. Disruptions in glial function contribute to neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric conditions. Research into glial-neuron interactions is uncovering novel therapeutic targets and strategies to modulate inflammation, support synaptic function, and promote neural repair.

• Astrocyte-mediated signalling
• Microglial surveillance and immunity
• Myelination and oligodendrocyte function
• Neuroprotective roles of glia

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s, arise from complex cellular dysfunctions, including protein misfolding, mitochondrial deficits, oxidative stress, and cell death pathways. Understanding these mechanisms provides a foundation for developing targeted therapies, biomarkers, and strategies for early detection. Investigating these cellular pathways also offers insights into disease progression and potential neuroprotective interventions.

• Protein misfolding and aggregation
• Mitochondrial deficits and oxidative stress
• Autophagy and apoptosis mechanisms
• Cellular stress responses

Imaging technologies have transformed neuroscience by allowing researchers to visualize neurons and glia at high resolution in live and fixed tissue. Techniques such as fluorescence, confocal, two-photon, and super-resolution microscopy enable detailed analysis of structural, functional, and molecular dynamics in the brain. These methods provide critical insights into cellular behaviour, neural connectivity, and disease mechanisms, supporting both basic research and clinical applications.

• Confocal and fluorescence microscopy
• Two-photon and live-cell imaging
• In vivo neural activity mapping
• Structural and functional imaging

Cognition and decision-making emerge from the coordinated activity of distributed brain networks, including the prefrontal cortex, parietal cortex, and subcortical structures. Studying these networks helps us understand how information is processed, integrated, and transformed into behaviour.Disruptions in network connectivity are associated with psychiatric and neurological disorders, making this research critical for developing interventions to restore cognitive function.

• Executive Function And Prefrontal Connectivity
• Functional Network Integration
• Decision-Making Pathways
• Effects Of Network Disruptions

Memory formation, learning, and attention depend on complex interactions among hippocampal, cortical, and subcortical regions. Neural circuits continuously adapt to encode, consolidate, and retrieve information. Investigating these processes improves our understanding of cognitive function, age-related decline, and disorders such as Alzheimer’s and ADHD, and informs strategies for enhancing learning and memory performance.

• Hippocampal memory mechanisms
• Attention modulation pathways
• Cognitive enhancement strategies
• Neural plasticity in learning

Emotional and social behaviors are mediated by specific neural circuits involving the amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and other limbic structures. Understanding the neural basis of these behaviors informs research into mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and social cognition deficits. Insights into emotion and social neural circuits can guide therapeutic approaches for psychiatric and behavioral interventions.

• Limbic system function
• Emotional regulation
• Neural basis of social interactions
• Brain-behaviour mapping

Cognitive aging is accompanied by changes in neural plasticity, synaptic density, and network connectivity. Studying these changes helps identify interventions to preserve cognitive function and mitigate age-related decline. Research in this field explores lifestyle factors, pharmacological interventions, and neurostimulation techniques to enhance plasticity and support healthy brain aging.

• Synaptic remodeling in aging
• Neuroprotective interventions
• Cognitive resilience strategies
• Plasticity enhancement

Perception arises from the integration of information from multiple sensory modalities across brain regions. Investigating sensory processing mechanisms helps elucidate how the brain constructs a coherent representation of the environment. This research has applications in rehabilitation, sensory disorders, and designing artificial sensory systems.

• Visual, auditory, and somatosensory pathways
• Multisensory integration
• Perceptual learning
• Neural computation of sensory signals

Behaviorual Neuroscience Links Brain Function With Behaviour, Providing insights into psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. Animal and human studies reveal mechanisms of stress, emotion, and cognition that guide therapeutic interventions. Translational research aims to bridge basic neuroscience findings with clinical applications for improving mental health outcomes.

• Animal Models For Psychiatric Research
• Stress And Behavioural Regulation Studies
• Translational Interventions
• Evidence-Based Mental Health Strategies

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) enable direct communication between the brain and external devices, offering rehabilitation solutions and assistive technologies. Research focuses on decoding neural signals, optimizing interface design, and enhancing motor and cognitive function in individuals with neurological impairments. BCIs have transformative potential for restoring independence in patients with paralysis or sensory deficits.

• Neural decoding for prosthetic control
• Rehabilitation devices
• Adaptive brain-computer interfaces
• Assistive neurotechnologies

Computational models provide frameworks for understanding the dynamics of neural circuits and predicting brain behaviour. Simulations help test hypotheses, explore complex interactions, and guide experimental design. Integrating computational neuroscience with experimental data accelerates discovery and facilitates development of neuro-inspired algorithms and AI applications.

• Network simulations
• Predictive modelling of neuronal activity
• System dynamics analysis
• Virtual experiments for neuroscience

AI and machine learning are revolutionizing neuroscience by enabling large-scale data analysis, pattern recognition, and predictive modeling of brain function. These approaches accelerate discovery in neuroimaging, genetics, and behavior, providing tools for personalized medicine, disease diagnosis, and cognitive modeling.

• Deep learning for imaging data
• Predictive analytics in brain research
• Cognitive simulations
• AI-guided experimental design

Neuroinformatics integrates diverse datasets from molecular, cellular, and systems neuroscience to derive comprehensive insights. Large-scale brain mapping, data sharing, and computational analytics facilitate collaborative research and accelerate scientific discovery. Big data approaches help identify biomarkers, disease patterns, and functional connectivity trends.

• Data mining and pattern recognition
• Brain mapping databases
• Multimodal data integration
• Computational analytics

Track 17: Advanced Electrophysiology Techniques
Electrophysiology provides direct measurement of neuronal activity, revealing how neural circuits encode information. Modern techniques enable high-resolution recordings from single neurons to large populations, supporting studies of synaptic function, network dynamics, and brain rhythms relevant to cognition and disease.

• Multi-electrode arrays
• In vivo and in vitro electrophysiology
• Signal analysis methods

Neuroengineering combines engineering principles with neuroscience to develop devices and techniques for treating neurological disorders. Approaches include neural stimulation, optogenetics, tissue engineering, and prosthetic integration, aiming to restore function and improve quality of life.

• Optogenetic interventions
• Neural stimulation devices
• Brain-computer therapeutics
• Tissue engineering for repair

Neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders result from complex interactions of genetic, cellular, and environmental factors. Research focuses on molecular pathways, neurotransmitter systems, and network dysfunctions to identify novel therapeutic targets and improve patient outcomes.

• Protein aggregation and misfolding
• Neuroinflammation
• Genetic and epigenetic contributions
• Neurotransmitter dysregulation

Identifying biomarkers and developing patient-centered strategies improve diagnosis, monitoring, and personalized treatment of neurological conditions. Integrating molecular, imaging, and behavioral markers facilitates early detection, effective therapy, and better clinical outcomes.

• Imaging and fluid biomarkers
• Early detection strategies
• Clinical trials and protocols
• Translational and personalized medicine