The brain is the organ capable of aging less than all the others. In fact, it has an enormous strength: plasticity, that is, the property of modifying itself and self-repairing. This is why it can evolve throughout its entire existence, forming new synaptic contacts and building new connections and circuits. However, the brain has an enemy: chronic inflammation, which causes premature aging and contributes to pathologies such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and depression. Scientists are focused on finding the mechanisms by which immune system deregulation alters brain function. This research is essential to identify methods to counteract neuroinflammation and prevent its damage. The conference will help the public understand some of the most extraordinary brain functions and will show everyone how to adopt strategies that preserve cognitive abilities.
«Our brain does not fly on its own. The external environment, the inflammatory molecules in our blood or the bacteria in our intestines shape and modify it, and our brain responds. Responds softly or loudly. But he always answers.”
Prof.ssa Michela MatteoliMichela Matteoli is director of the Neuroscience program at the Humanitas university hospital in Milan, where she is also full professor of Pharmacology. She is a member of the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO), of the Academia Europaea and of the prestigious Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei. Former director of the Institute of Neuroscience of the CNR, she has been or is currently a member of international scientific committees, including the European Research Council (ERC), the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) and the Harvard-Armenise Foundation.
In his career she has received various awards, including the Feltrinelli prize for Physiology, Biochemistry and Pharmacology from the Accademia dei Lincei, the Marcello Sgarlata prize and the Atena prize for scientific merit. In 2013 was awarded the Mid Career Mentoring Award by the prestigious magazine Nature, for having inspired a generation of young scientists.
She is the author of over 170 publications with high scientific impact (with an H-index of 75). In 2022 she obtained the ERC Advanced Grant, a European funding that allows leading figures in international research to carry out innovative projects, capable of opening new directions in scientific studies.
November 11, 2023
10.30am-11.30am |
Event location:
EXMA Conference room
Via San Lucifero, 71 Cagliari
Access to the Cagliari FestivalScienza activities is free for everyone. Reservations are required only for schools and organized groups.
