La Plata BAW 2016: My brain controls me

CORDISCO GONZALEZ S; LABORATORIO DE ELECTROFISIOLOGIA; LABORATORIO DE NEUROFISIOLOGIA

Buenos Aires

Congreso; 2nd Falan congress 2016; 2016

Federation of Latinamerican Neuroscience Societies

Our event was focused in showing to the general public the role of the nervous system (NS) in the integration of information that leads to behavior and decision making.The activities were organized at the Natural Sciences Museum of La Plata, and consisted in a set of introductory stations, followed by an interactive main talk with live demonstrations.The first part included the observation of brain samples from different species, microscopic examination of brain slices, experiments to measure reaction times, and interactive tests to show aspects of our chemical senses.The main talk included:-Introduction about NS, live measurements and stimulation of the electric activity on a cockroach leg using a Spikerbox.-Large scale model of a neuron to depict synaptic transmission.-Live electromyographic recordings on volunteers, direct stimulation with the resulting signal of a cockroach leg, and later into a second volunteer?s arm.These experiences were safely performed with a Human-to-Human interface and TENS unit.Additionally, we hosted a set of short talks by a local philosopher Dr. M. Daguerre, who talked about the emotional and rational aspects of decision making.After this year?s event, we have been invited by the National Research Council (CONICET), through its Program for the Promotion of Scientific Vocation to take part of the International Book Fair of Buenos Aires and to participate in the Neuroscience Day organized at the city of Tucuman, reaching over 200 students