Report of the Institute of Physiology
The FENS (Federation of European Neuroscience Societies) Forum, Europe's largest and most prestigious neuroscience conference, has successfully concluded. This year, staff members of the Institute of Physiology at the University of Pécs Medical School represented the institute in Barcelona from July 6 to 10.
Held biennially, the FENS Forum serves as the premier meeting place for the international neuroscience community. This year, thousands of neuroscientists, clinicians, and students gathered from around the world to review the latest breakthroughs in modern brain research—ranging from developmental biology and AI-driven network research to the newest clinical translational discoveries.
Key topics of the conference included:
-
Plasticity, cognition, behavior, and memory
-
Neural networks
-
NeuroAI
-
Neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration
-
Alternative research models
-
Sleep
The detailed scientific program of the Forum is available at the following link: FENS Forum 2026 Scientific Programme.
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to nurture existing international relationships and lay the groundwork for new professional collaborations. Beyond the scientific sessions, our Institute also played a role in organizational decision-making: Prof. Dr. Dóra Zelena attended the international FENS leadership meeting on July 5.
Eight members of the Institute of Physiology participated in the conference, presenting the following posters:
-
A. Futácsi, B. Szewczyk, B. Czéh: Neuropathology of limbic structures in the mouse zinc deficiency model of depression
-
K. Fusz, A. Deák, P. Závodi, G. Suszter, P.L. Kanizsai: Chronotype-dependent HPA-axis alterations in rotating shift workers: neuroendocrine and behavioural correlates
-
A.J. Hencz, A. Szabó, D. Csiszár, D. Zelena: Effects of selective stimulation of medial septal cholinergic neurons on Alzheimer’s disease pathology in a transgenic mouse model
-
P. Kumar, K. Mintal, K. Erika, L.Y. Mon, D. Zelena: Antibiotic treatment-induced microbiome disruption has positive effect on PTSD-like behaviour in an electric footshock model in mice
-
E.E. Kvak, S. Farkas, A. Szabó, D. Várkonyi, E. Szabó, R. Varga, D. Zelena: Molecular and behavioral effects of acute dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate treatment in the 3xTg mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
-
S. Rashidiani, V. Kormos, B. Gaszner, D. Zelena: Neurochemical diversity of pontine corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in mice
-
D. Várkonyi, E.E. Kvak, E. Szabó, S. Farkas, C. Muyong, D. Zelena: Female-specific thermoregulatory impairments in 3xTg-AD mice: involvement of NK3 receptor-dependent pathways
Photos: Dr. Katalin Fusz
