Galway meeting a success

Professor Aviva Tolkovski from the University of Cambridge presented a paper on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration at the second National Meeting of Neuroscience Ireland at NUI Galway.
The conference also looked at strategies to promote regeneration of neurons, which may advance the discovery of new therapies for degenerative diseases, enhancing the quality of life for huge numbers of patients and their families.

The latest neuroscience research into diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis were also discussed during the meeting.
The conference took place from August 28-29 and brought together leading neuroscientists, post-doctoral researchers and graduate students from all over Ireland, Britain and Europe. The organisation Neuroscience Ireland was set up to advance research and education in the neurosciences in Ireland.
Conference organiser, Dr Karen Doyle, lecturer in the Physiology Department and Head of the Neuroscience Cluster within the National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES) at NUI Galway, commented: “Neuroscience is an emerging discipline of great strength in Ireland. The main themes of this conference are very topical and reflect areas of research strength within NUI Galway, and Ireland as a whole. For example, the first session focused on the mechanisms of cell death in neurons, which may underpin the development of devastating neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.”
Another session focused on pain, which affects millions of people world-wide and has major implications with regard to quality of life and economics.
Dr Doyle added: “The conference also looked at emerging areas of neuroscience such as that of glial cells, which have been linked with the development of Multiple Sclerosis.”
Prof David Nutt from the University of Bristol led a discussion on the psychopharmacology of psychiatric disorders such as anxiety, depression and schizophrenia and the mind altering effects of drugs.
NUI Galway has a long association with the postgraduate training of neuroscientists. Its Neuroscience Graduate School enhances the international profile of neuroscience in NUI Galway.
The Neuroscience Ireland conference will provide a focus for global neuroscience research within Irish research institutions.