17th International Congress of the Polish Neuroscience Society
The human brain contains 86 billion neurons and just as many glial cells responsible for support, nourishment, and protection. Each neuron can form connections with thousands of others, building a network of trillions of synapses. These connections determine the brain’s capabilities — they are what make it extraordinary. And so difficult to study.
How essential it has become to understand the brain and the mechanisms underlying its disorders is reflected in increasingly alarming statistics.
179 million Europeans currently live with brain disorders, both neurological and psychiatric — a population equal to that of all of Germany, France, and half of Poland combined. These diseases generate €800 billion in annual costs, accounting for 45% of Europe’s total healthcare budgets, and are now considered lifestyle-related diseases. This means they will become more common, as they stem from modern living. The situation is further worsened by aging societies — although we live longer, age increases the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s.
These and many other topics will be discussed by more than 300 scientists during the 17th International Congress of the Polish Neuroscience Society (PTBUN), which will begin on 2 September at the Conference Center of Wrocław University of Science and Technology. After 30 years since the first edition, the event will finally take place in Wrocław, made possible thanks to the involvement of neurobiologists from local research institutions.
From Cancer Pain to Transgenerational Memory
Neuroscience is not just an academic discipline — it is a field of immediate necessity, already determining the quality of life for every fourth European.
At Łukasiewicz – PORT, scientists studying the brain focus on specific health problems that directly impact patients’ lives. They analyze mechanisms underlying cancer pain, depression, stress-related disorders, and neurodegeneration. They use modern molecular biology tools, artificial intelligence, epigenetics, and neuroimaging. The goal is not only to better understand the brain, but also to develop new therapeutic approaches.
Dr Mateusz Kucharczyk, leader of the Neurophysiological Oncology Research Group, focuses on cancer pain — one of the most devastating experiences for patients. At Łukasiewicz – PORT he investigates new mechanisms with the potential to alleviate pain without addiction risks or the side effects typical of opioids.
“Pain is not just a symptom. It is a disease in itself — it destroys mental health, relationships, life. Our goal is to create therapy that is both effective and safe,” he explains.
Dr Bartosz Zglinicki of the Astrocyte Biology Research Group uses artificial intelligence to analyze the action of antidepressants. Advanced algorithms allow him to study how specific substances influence the activity of chosen brain regions — with a precision previously unattainable.
“AI lets us see what is invisible to the human eye and brings us closer to personalized medicine — to designing effective therapies for individual patients.”
The work of Dr Ali Jawaid sheds new light on how deeply traumatic stress can affect not only our lives but also those of our children. Analyzing cases of child neglect in Poland and Pakistan and families affected by the Srebrenica massacre, his team discovered that the consequences of traumatic experiences can be biologically transmitted across generations. This revolutionizes our understanding of the alarming rise in mental health disorders in Europe and will support prevention and treatment development.
“Psychological trauma does not end with the experience of an individual. It stays in the body, in the cells, in the brain — and can affect children who were never directly exposed to trauma,” says the leader of the Translational Neuropsychiatry Research Group. “Trauma is not only a risk factor — it is an inheritance.”
Researchers from Łukasiewicz – PORT will present their findings at the International Congress of the Polish Neuroscience Society.
Global Leaders in Neuroscience in Wrocław
“Our congress will host leading brain researchers from around the world — internationally recognized leaders in global neurobiology,” says Dr Michał Ślęzak from Łukasiewicz – PORT, vice president of the society and chair of the organizing committee.
Among them will be:
- Prof. John Cryan, University College Cork (Ireland) — a pioneer of gut–brain axis research
- Prof. Lora Heisler, University of Aberdeen — expert on brain–metabolism interactions (e.g., effects of drugs like Ozempic)
- Prof. Andrew Holmes, U.S. National Institutes of Health — studying the neurobiological basis of stress responses
- Prof. Marcin Szwed, Jagiellonian University — studying environmental effects on brain health (e.g., links between air pollution and ADHD)
Neurosociety: Lower Silesia for Seniors
A public event will accompany the congress: Neurosociety: the senior at the center of medical innovation.
This will not be an academic debate, but a conversation about everyday life — how to recognize early symptoms of dementia, where to seek help, how to support loved ones, and how to design brain-friendly cities.
The meeting will take place 2 September, 15:00–16:45, at the Wrocław University of Science and Technology Congress Center (Janiszewskiego 8).
Participants will include scientists, doctors, local government representatives (the event is co-organized with the Marshal’s Office of Lower Silesia) and senior organizations. Registration is required.
