BRAIN DAY 2013 – a review

Photos: Alexander Grünsel

BRAIN DAY GOES INTO ITS THIRD YEAR

“A day all about neuroscience in Bochum”, was the motto of the third Brain Day on September 25 at the RUB’s conference center. Besides lectures on cutting edge scientific developments, visitors were offered information and could join in many activities. Additionally, ten support-groups from the region presented their work and created awareness for many different neurological diseases.

WHY ARE MRI-SCANS COLORED?

This question was investigated by scientists of the Bergmannsheil University Clinic; they explained the significance of colored areas in MRI-scans. With the help of vivid experiments guests were able to understand how this technology works.

WHAT CONNECTS A GAMES CONSOLE TO NEUROSCIENCE?

PD Dr. Dinse’s Neural Plasticity Lab again participated with many different fascinating activities. Highlight was a games console, which could track motion patterns. It is currently used to analyze the sense of balance and flexibility of test persons. Many visitors took the opportunity and joined in.

CAN ROBOTS GET LOST?

Young scientists of the Institute for Neural Computation explained to visitors how they use findings from experimental and theoretical neuroscience to teach orientation to little robots, called ePucks. A very rare insight into scientific work.

WHAT DO I SEE ON THE ULTRASOUND?

Many visitors have seen ultrasonic devices during doctor’s appointments, but few were allowed to use it to make their own pulse visible. On Brain Day this was possible, followed by an explanation of how this method is used to detect and evaluate brain tumors.

DOES MEDITATION MAKE YOU SMART?

Guests looking for a relaxing meditation after so much scientific input, learned from Sebastian Philipp how even during meditation our brain does not come to a standstill. In fact, the opposite is the case: meditation can trigger the learning process.

THANK YOU!

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those, who have made this day so interesting. Thanks to:

Saskia Albers, Mehdi Bayati, Hubert Dinse, Onur Güntürkün, Stefanie Heba, Tobias Kalisch, Jan-Christoph Kattenstroth, Janosch Kellermann, Nora Prochnow, Monique Renk, Cindy Richter, Kai Ritschel, Lara Schlaffke, Tobias Schmidt-Wilcke, Kirsten Schmieder, Fabian Schönfeld, Dennis Witt, the child researchers “Brainiacs”, members of the support groups…..

CONTACT:

Ursula Heiler, MA
Tel.: +49(0)234-32-26682
Fax.: +49(0)234-32-14490
E-Mail: sfb874-pr@rub.de

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