Workshops
We want to offer our participants the opportunity to further explore neuroscience-related topics and develop practical skills – free workshops under the patronage of Nencki OpenLab.
All workshops will take place on Friday, 25.10:
10.00 -13.00, FUW: Monte Carlo modelling – Monte Carlo power analysis, permutation and bootstrap statistical tests.
10.00 – 13.00, Nencki OpenLab: Analysis of dynamic mutations and assessment of the number of microsatellite repeats in neurodegenerative disorders.
13.00 – 16.00, Nencki OpenLab: Monitoring and non-invasive brain stimulation based on fNIRS and TMS methods. Theory and practice.
13.00 – 15.00, FUW: Gilles de la Tourette syndrome – only tics? A practical workshop about pathophysiology and clinical aspects of tics and co-existing conditions.
* FUW – Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw, adress: Pasteura 5, 02-093 Warsaw
* Nencki OpenLab – Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warsaw
10:00 – 13:00 Faculty of Physics, Pasteura 5
Monte Carlo modelling - Monte Carlo power analysis, permutation and bootstrap statistical tests
Paweł Lenartowicz
Monte Carlo methods are relatively simple methods that, especially today when we have a lot of computing power, allow us to solve many statistical problems. They are particularly useful where there is a lack of standardised analytical methods, such as classical t-tests or ANOVA, as well as in more complex models.
The workshop is intended to introduce participants to the idea of statistical modelling and show how to easily design a complex data analysis using R or Python languages, using data from neuroscience research. During the workshop, users will learn what is needed to prepare such an analysis, how to combine it with a study preregistration, how to use Monte Carlo to select appropriate statistical tests and sample size, and how to interpret the obtained results.
Workshop organized in cooperation with Society for Open Science.
10:00 – 13:00 Nencki Institute, Pasteura 3
Analysis of dynamic mutations and assessment of the number of microsatellite repeats in neurodegenerative disorders.
Ewelina Elert-Dobkowska, PhD
Department of Genetics, Institute of Psychiatry and Neurology, Warsaw, Poland
A World Health Organization (WHO) report shows that up to one bilion people around the world suffer from neurological disorders. Among them, there is a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases. These may be multifactorial as well as genetically determined disorders. Repeat expansions of microsatelite sequences are involved in a number of neurodegenerative disorders, including Fragile X syndrome, Huntington disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, myotonic dystrophy, spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy. The expansion of microsatelitte repeats, not exlusively trinucleotide repeat sequences, is termed a dynamic mutation. This mutational mechanism results from repeats instability
and their expansion due to form an unusual DNA structures during replication.
In the workshops the main neurodegenerative conditions caused by dynamic mutations will be presented. Furthermore, we will perform a genetic analysis of dynamic mutations, including the assessment of the number of microsatellite repeats in particular genes and the interpretation of these results in terms of clinical significance.
13:00 – 16:00 Nencki Institute, Pasteura 3
Monitoring and non-invasive brain stimulation based on fNIRS and TMS methods. Theory and practice.
Paweł Szufliński – Elmiko Biosignals
Long-time employee, currently head of the Sales and Marketing Department of ELMIKO Biosignals. Privately, an enthusiast of the development of modern and effective forms of naturotherapy, and above all, full of humor father of two children.
Robert Kwaśniak – Scientific Consultant of Cortivision
The workshop is aimed at students and young researchers interested in modern methods of monitoring brain activity and brain stimulation. During three hours, participants will gain theoretical and practical knowledge of two key technologies: functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).
The first part will discuss the fNIRS method, its application in neuroscience research, and its ability to monitor brain activity in real time. The second part will focus on TMS technology, its role in neurological and psychiatric therapy, and its impact on brain plasticity. The workshop combines theoretical discussion of the technology and practical aspects of its use in research and therapy.
Workshop organized in cooperation with
ELMIKO Biosignals and Cortivision.
13:00 – 15:00 Faculty of Physics, Pasteura 5
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome - only tics?
A practical workshop about pathophysiology and clinical aspects of tics and co-existing conditions
Natalia Szejko, MD, PhD, ScD
Medical University of Warsaw, Clinical and Research Fellow in the University of Calgary
Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) is often associated with obscene words and gestures and quite dramatic symptoms. In the reality, however, vast majority of patients have mild symptoms. In this practical workshop we will discuss pathophysiology of GTS and show clinical examples of how the disease really is with illustrative videos of most common tics. As GTS is not only tics, we will also discuss most common comorbidities such as OCD and ADHD. The workshop will be closed with case discussion during which participants will have the opportunity to put learned knowledge in practice and decide how to treat/manage real life cases.