Brain Awareness Week 2025: The Brain from Cell to Thought
Brain Awareness Week (BAW) is a global campaign designed to promote neuroscience, as well as spread awareness of the importance of brain research among the public. This year, SOMS is thrilled to team up with the National Neuroscience Society (www.snn.ro) to bring BAW closer to you!
During this week, everyone is invited to join our meticulously designed events and learn more about the most complex and most mysterious part of the human body. This edition of BAW will take you on a journey through various branches of science that study the way our
brain works, bringing together specialists who will share their insight and expertise.
BAW 2025 is all about the brain, from cell to thought!
Programme
Whispers of the Brain: Understanding EEG and NIRS ing
Are you fascinated by the intricate activity of the brain and looking for a way to learn more about how we can detect and interpret the constant whisper of the neurons? Then you’ve found the right event!
During this workshop, you will learn about the basics of EEG (Electroencephalography) – principles, interpretation and use. Moreover, you will become acquainted with NIRS (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy), a technique used to measure changes in brain oxygenation, thus determining energy consumption. And of course, you will get to witness those tests yourself.
With whom: Bogdan Pavel MD, PhD; Stefan Sandru, MD, PhD Stud.
When: Tuesday, March 11th, 5-7 PM
Where: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, First Floor Library Hall
Psych and Beyond: Exploring the Connection between Psychiatry and Psychology
This event will address the complex topic of mental health, from the perspective of both a psychiatrist and a psychologist.
There will be a set of predetermined questions, asked by a moderator. Both guests will answer individually and will also have the opportunity to collaborate, the main goal being to highlight the importance of an integrative approach when treating mental disorders. Moreover, at the end of the session, the public will be invited to address their own questions.
A few examples of topics we wish to discuss are: the roles of medication and psychotherapy and how to choose the optimal therapeutic approach; similarities and differences between psychiatric and psychological approaches; management of acute or chronic patients; impact on the patient’s family and friends; current progress and limitations in the therapeutic process; ways to combat misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental illnesses.
With whom: Delia Popa MD; Ramona Pascu, Psychologist
When: Wednesday, March 12th, 5-7 PM
Where: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, Physiology Amphitheater, 1st floor
Friday, March 14th
In order to book your place at this event, you need to follow the regular steps for booking a workshop on our website, but you will not be charged. This process is necessary due to the limited number of places.
Epilepsy - A Network Disorder
This workshop explores epilepsy as a complex neurological condition, beyond isolated brain regions. You are going to delve deeper into the complex phenomena that lead to seizures, as well as into network-based therapeutic strategies.
Get ready to dive into the intrinsics of epilepsy and learn about the importance of a multidisciplinary approach when it comes to pharmacoresistant epilepsy. You will discuss the different imaging investigations and the video encephalogram that patients undergo before intracranial electrode implantation surgery. There will also be a discussion about the surgery itself, followed by intracranial stimulation of the patients, performed in order to stimulate a seizure and highlight the exact source of the epilepsy. After this, you will learn about the surgical excision of the part of the brain responsible for the focal epileptic seizures.
With whom: Ioana Mîndruță MD, PhD; Irina Oane MD, PhD; Sebastian Pavel MD
When: Wednesday, March 14th, 1-5:30 PM
Where: Emergency University Hospital (SUUB), Neurology Ward
What to bring: scrub, hospital shoes
