How can blood vessels help us understand the brain? Can compounds found in fruits and vegetables protect against neurodegenerative diseases? And why is the language we use just as important as the science itself?

These were some of the questions explored during the round-table discussion “Neurociências trocadas por miúdos” (“Neuroscience Made Simple”), held on 25 July as part of the Festival Geração Ciência, organised by Ciência Viva at the Pavilhão do Conhecimento, in Lisbon.

Representing NIMSB, Cláudia Nunes dos Santos, Vice-Director of the Institute and Group Leader of the Molecular Health & Nutrition Lab, joined Joaquim Alves, Vanesa Coelho Santos, and Marco Neves for an engaging conversation that brought together neuroscience, language, and science communication before a full audience.

Throughout the session, the speakers highlighted the importance of fundamental research as the starting point for scientific and medical advances. They discussed how every scientific question, no matter how fundamental it may seem, has the potential to bring us closer to understanding and eventually treating complex neurological disorders.

The discussion offered the audience a glimpse into several areas of contemporary neuroscience research, including how blood vessels develop within the brain, the potential neuroprotective effects of bioactive compounds naturally present in fruits and vegetables, and some of the key unanswered questions surrounding Parkinson’s disease.

Beyond the scientific topics, the conversation also explored the role of language in science. Bringing together experts from different fields encouraged a thoughtful reflection on how language shapes our understanding of the world and why finding the right words is essential to translate complex scientific concepts into stories that everyone can understand.

The lively exchange continued with numerous questions from the audience, reflecting the public’s curiosity and enthusiasm for neuroscience and highlighting the value of creating opportunities for direct interaction between scientists and society.

The Festival Geração Ciência is a two-day event organised by Ciência Viva, bringing together science, technology, culture, art, and music through a diverse programme of talks, workshops, interactive activities, and performances. NIMSB was proud to contribute to this initiative, reinforcing its commitment to bringing cutting-edge research closer to society and fostering dialogue between scientists and the public.