METNEDIA raising public awareness on brain aging and early-diagnosis research through the outreach event “The Aging Brain: Myth or Truth?”, engaging citizens in accessible discussions on neuroscience and neurodegenerative diseases.
On 27 March 2026, the University of Eastern Piedmont (UPO) hosted a scientific outreach event titled “The Aging Brain: Myth or Truth?”, an initiative designed to bring scientific knowledge on neurodegenerative diseases closer to citizens. The event took place at “Il Broletto Food & Drink” in Novara, with more than 70 persons attending, and formed part of UPO’s broader programme of public engagement activities dedicated to healthy and pathological aging. The initiative was organised by the Department of Translational Medicine as part of the Aging Project and was supported by the METNEDIA and the PNRR-MCNT2-2023-12377375 projects. This event was also part of the activities of Brain Awareness Week promoted by the European Union – NextGenerationEU and the Italian Ministry of University and Research.
Conceived as an informal educational aperitif, the event aimed to create an accessible and welcoming environment where scientific topics could be discussed openly with the public. Professors Fabiola De Marchi, Cristoforo Comi (Neurology), and Marcello Manfredi (Biochemistry), all from UPO’s Department of Translational Medicine, guided the discussion. Using clear and engaging language, they introduced participants to the fundamentals of neurodegenerative diseases, explaining how these conditions manifest, what current research is uncovering about their mechanisms, and how biomarkers and innovative diagnostic approaches are being developed to understanding disease mechanisms and risk factors. The meeting was designed to be interactive, encouraging dialogue between researchers and attendees with quizzes and trivia. More than seventy people took part, including members of patient associations, caregivers, students, and citizens interested in understanding how scientific research contributes to improving health and quality of life.
This event was a valuable opportunity for METNEDIA to engage the public and raise awareness of the project’s objectives, and particularly its focus on early diagnosis and biomarker discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. By supporting initiatives that promote scientific literacy and open dialogue with society, METNEDIA contributes to building a more informed community on a topic that affects everyone’s well-being.