The Neuroscience of Cognitive and Behavioural Flexibility: from Function to Dysfunction

We are pleased to announce a series of workshops titled Dialogues on Brain Health, organized by the Italian Society for Neuroscience, featuring both national and international experts in the field of brain health. These events offer a unique opportunity to delve into pressing topics, share cutting-edge knowledge, and discuss the latest discoveries in Neuroscience. They represent a significant opportunity for learning and exchange, aimed at promoting greater awareness and innovation in mental and cognitive health.

This inaugural workshop, titled “The neuroscience of cognitive and behavioural flexibility: from function to dysfunction” focuses on the ability to adapt our behavior in response to changing or unexpected situations—a capacity that allows us to evaluate different options, consider alternative perspectives, and adjust our actions as needed to achieve our goals. These skills are at the foundation of cognitive flexibility, which plays a vital role in various stages of decision-making, within a dynamic and rapidly changing social context. However, the capacity to adjust our behavior appropriately based on context can be compromised in many brain disorders, including many neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases. As an example, Major Depressive Disorders as well as obsessive compulsive disturbances, autism and schizofrenia exhibit a marked reduction in cognitive flexibility leading to rigid thinking patterns and difficulties adapting to changing situations. Understanding the neurobiological foundations of these abilities could improve early diagnosis and pave the way for more effective interventions, enhancing patients’ quality of life and advancing our understanding of the fundamental workings of the brain.

The program will also includes a 2-hour poster session, giving young researchers the chance to present their work and engage with peers and experts in the field.

The SINS Committee for Education and Training

Prof. Christian Buchel – University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany
Dr. Elvira De Leonibus – National Research Council (CNR) and Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM), Italy
Prof. Bernardo Maria Dell’Osso – University of Milan, Italy
Dr. Diego Scheggia – University of Milan, Italy
Dr. Raffaella Tonini – Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Italy

The workshop will take place at the prestigious Sala Napoleonica of Palazzo Greppi (Via Sant’Antonio, 10 – Milan)

All attendees are required to complete the online registration process via the Congress Management System

The registration fee for non-sins members must be paid at the time of registration by:
Credit Card – direct online payment available during registration
Bank Transfer to LAAN S.a.s. – IBAN: IT60T0857511200000000706732

For any inquiries or further information regarding registration, please contact the SINS Secretariat via email at segreteria@sins.it or by phone at 0306340663.

The workshop is accredited for 100 participants by the LAAN Provider, granting 4 ECM credits.

The credits are valid for Medical Doctors specializing in Neurology, Child Neuropsychiatry, Psychiatry, and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, as well as for Biologists and Psychologists.

To obtain the credits, participants must attend at least 90% of the scheduled training hours, achieve a minimum score of 75% on the learning assessment questionnaire, and complete the event evaluation questionnaire.

The workshop program will includes a 2-hour poster session, giving young researchers the chance to present their work and engage with peers and experts in the field.

Abstracts for the poster session will be selected through a Call for Abstracts, open to all eligible researchers interested in presenting their work.

Abstract must be submitted according to the instructions for Authors, using the Online Submission System.

Proposals should include the following information:

• Full Name, Affiliation, e-mail address of the Author(s) (specifying the presenting Author)
• Abstract’s Title (max 25 words)
• Abstract’s Text (max 300 words)

Abstract submission will close at midnight on December 20, 2024.

Acceptance of the abstracts will be announced by January 3, 2025.

The presentation of an accepted Abstract is guaranteed, provided that the presenting author is registered for the Congress by January 15.

Abstracts will be evaluated by the SINS Committee for Education and Training. Evaluators will be assigned to abstracts according to their expertise. Novelty, quality, relevance and clarity of the abstract will be evaluated.

For further information on Abstract submission, please contact the SINS Secretariat via email at segreteria@sins.it or by phone at 0306340663.