Brain Awareness Week Activities at SENSUM: A Celebration of Neuroscience

Brain Awareness Week Activities at SENSUM: A Celebration of Neuroscience

From March 10-16, Brain Awareness Week at SENSUM brought together experts, students, and the general public for a variety of engaging activities that highlighted the importance of neuroscience. SENSUM is an initiative dedicated to bridging the gap between mental health research and neuroscience, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to advance understanding and improve well-being. This year’s events ranged from lively discussions in a pub to cutting-edge research presentations, offering a deep dive into the mysteries of the brain and the latest advancements in neuroimaging and mental health education.

Les Mystères du Cerveau: A Pub Science Event

Organized by the Société des Neurosciences de la Communication (SNC), Les Mystères du Cerveau provided an informal yet intellectually stimulating atmosphere for discussing neuroscience topics. Held in a relaxed pub setting, the event featured a lineup of distinguished speakers:

• Louis-Eric Trudeau: Les mystères de la maladie de Parkinson
• Anne-Noël Samaha: Addiction aux drogues: mythes et réalités
• Richard Robitaille: Il faut rester en contact : une approche thérapeutique pour la SLA
• Elvire Vaucher: La chimie des réseaux de neurones au secours de la vision
• Elsa Rossignol: GABA et épilepsie, une histoire d’équilibre

The bar was packed with an engaged audience that eagerly asked questions, demonstrating a high level of interest and curiosity about neuroscience and its implications for health and well-being.

Computational Psychiatry Workshop at Mila

Mila, the Quebec AI Institute, hosted the 2025 Computational Psychiatry Workshop, focusing on the intersection of artificial intelligence and mental health. The event featured thought-provoking talks by leading researchers:

• Karim Jerbi: Emerging approaches in neuropsychiatry: Machine learning, nonlinear dynamics, and multifractal brain signal analysis
• Tommaso Tosato & David Lemay: Evaluating and Steering LLMs’ interpersonal attitudes
• Guillermo Cecchi: AI, digital technology, and the (possible) transformation of clinical psychiatry

Following the presentations, a panel discussion allowed for an engaging exchange of ideas, with insightful questions from the audience that explored the potential of AI in transforming psychiatric care.

Neuroimaging Initiative for Children at Centre IMAGINE

The Centre IMAGINE at CHU Sainte-Justine contributed to Brain Awareness Week by producing a video showcasing its commitment to making neuroimaging exams more accessible and reassuring for children. This initiative aims to reduce anxiety and improve the experience of young patients undergoing neurological assessments, reinforcing the importance of child-friendly medical imaging techniques.

Mental Health Workshops for High School Students

At Honoré Mercier School, neuroscience outreach took center stage with a series of eight 75-minute presentations over two days, designed for students in grades 7-10. Presenters Ayman Driouch, Rayan Daoud, Isaac Doucet, Sarah Dahman, Aichatou Dia, and Maya Behlouli led an engaging workshop focused on mental health, using cell phones as an example to illustrate key concepts.

The sessions covered:

• The importance of a healthy lifestyle for mental well-being
• The role of sleep and its effects on cognitive function
• The impact of drug use on the brain
• The science behind different pathologies
• A game where students guessed various emotions

Students were highly engaged, asking numerous questions, while faculty members praised the initiative as an invaluable educational tool for promoting mental health awareness at an early age.

Conclusion

Brain Awareness Week at SENSUM provided an incredible platform for knowledge-sharing and public engagement. From interactive discussions to AI-driven psychiatric research, innovative neuroimaging initiatives, and school-based outreach, the diverse events highlighted the significance of neuroscience in our daily lives. The enthusiastic participation of both experts and attendees underscores the growing interest in brain health and the potential of neuroscience to shape a better future.

This content has been updated on 19 March 2025 at 11 h 07 min.