The Sixth IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience brought together over 2,500 scientists in a historic gathering that shaped the future of brain research
The Sixth IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience, held in the historic city of Prague from July 10-15, 2003, represented far more than just another scientific conference. It marked a symbolic homecoming for international brain research, gathering over 2,500 neuroscientists from around the globe in a city with a rich scientific heritage 3 7 .
Scientists from diverse backgrounds and countries converged to share groundbreaking research and forge collaborative partnerships.
Prague's scientific heritage and Professor Jan Bureš' legacy made it the perfect setting for bridging scientific traditions.
The 2003 congress featured what organizers described as "an exciting and timely scientific program, focusing on the most important topics and ideas in contemporary neuroscience" 1 .
Connecting molecular processes to systems-level functions as artificial boundaries dissolved
Exploring how the brain changes in response to experience, injury, and learning
Recognizing glial cells as active participants in neural information processing
Bridging basic research and clinical applications for neurological disorders
Among the hundreds of research presentations at the congress, studies exploring the neurobiological basis of psychiatric disorders generated significant interest.
On postnatal days 5-9, researchers administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to simulate maternal infection during pregnancy 5 .
At multiple developmental stages, animals received co-treatment with dizocilpine (MK-801) and amphetamine (AMP) 5 .
| Test | Adolescent | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Social Interaction | Decreased | Normal |
| Social Approach | Normal | Normal |
| Novelty Preference | Normal | Normal |
| Brain Region | Adolescent | Adult |
|---|---|---|
| Hypothalamus | Lower | Increased |
| Other Regions | Variable | Variable |
"In the proposed model, social interaction in the open field was decreased in adolescent but not in adult rats, indicating that the pharmacological manipulations caused only transient age-dependent changes" 5 .
The 2003 IBRO Congress created an enduring legacy that extended far beyond the scientific presentations. As the first major international neuroscience gathering in Central Europe in decades, it played a pivotal role in reintegrating the region's neuroscientists into the global community.
Provided opportunities for early-career neuroscientists to learn from experts and build professional networks 2 .
Strengthened international partnerships and fostered connections across scientific traditions 7 .
Showcased methodologies like the Real-Time Iontophoretic method that enabled new research directions 8 .
The research presented at the 2003 IBRO Congress relied on diverse methodological approaches that reflected the interdisciplinary nature of modern neuroscience.
| Tool/Technique | Function/Application | Example from Congress |
|---|---|---|
| Two-hit animal models | Model complex neurodevelopmental disorders | Schizophrenia research with immune activation + pharmacological challenges 5 |
| Ion-selective microelectrodes | Measure extracellular ion concentrations | Studying K+ accumulation during neural activity 8 |
| Real-Time Iontophoretic (RTI) method | Analyze diffusion in extracellular space | Measuring volume fraction and tortuosity of brain ECS 8 |
| Social behavior assays | Quantify social interactions in animal models | Open-field social interaction tests and Y-maze social preference 5 |
| Neurochemical analysis | Measure neurotransmitter/neuropeptide levels | Oxytocin quantification in hypothalamic tissue 5 |
The Sixth IBRO World Congress of Neuroscience in 2003 represented both a celebration of neuroscience progress and a springboard for future innovation.
By bringing together diverse scientific traditions in a city with a rich neuroscientific heritage, the event strengthened the global collaborative networks essential for tackling the brain's enduring mysteries. The research presented demonstrated a field maturing in its ability to address complex questions through interdisciplinary approaches.
Neuroscientists
Days of Scientific Exchange
Years of Lasting Impact