Final Activity Report Summary - NEUROTRAIN (Neuroscience Training in Europe) The NEUROTRAIN project aimed at providing a standard platform for neuroscience training by offering a series of four events to implement a school system standardised coherently in relation to: structure, patients perspectives trough main stakeholders (i.e. EBC), industrial aspects, complementary skills, selection of high quality scientists, topics and tutors. The project started with a satellite event of the FENS Forum 2006 and was followed by three schools addressing brain function and dysfunction linked by neuroplasticity as common key mechanism in adult brain development (e.g. for learning and memory as well as for recovery of the injured brain). The proposed series of events has been structured as a series of training courses, in the form of advanced technical workshops and / or lecture-based schools. The daily schedule included lectures, followed by a discussion, poster sessions in which interaction among young researchers and the faculty was enhanced. Small working groups tackled specific problems of the topic and their outcome have been presented in a plenary session by young researchers. Complementary training provided skills in science communication, research funding and ethical issues in neuroscience. The four training courses dealt with the following topics: TC1: Advanced technologies in brain functions and dysfunctions TC2: Choosing the right models for research on cognition and its disturbances TC3: Neuronal plasticity: Neuron / glia interaction, protein aggregation and genetics of degenerative disease TC4: Neuronal plasticity and neurodegenerative disorders: Dysfunction and treatments. Target groups have been researchers in the field of neuroscience and clinicians with less than 10 years of research experience since obtaining the diploma, priority has been given to candidates with less than 4 years of experience. ERs candidates (4-10 years research experience) has been selected only where the possibilities offered were not used for ESRs. For the selection procedure, a call has been opened for each training course and by different channels. On the basis of CVs, brief description of research work and a list of publications (where applicable), the members of the scientific training committee (STC) decided the final list of participants taking part to the events. The selection was carried out taking into consideration the following parameters: research experience, scientific achievements (publications), variety of research fields, balanced variety of countries of origin, balanced participation of women. The NEUROTRAIN project involved a total of 346 participants mostly coming from Member States and little percentage from Associated and Third countries. Participants have been selected in order to ensure a balanced gender distribution. For the evaluation of NEUROTRAIN programs, most of the participants have completed some questionnaires and results demonstrated a general satisfaction.
