CQFD welcomes Pierre Magistretti
Prof. Pierre Magistretti
Every Friday a scientist is invited to speak about his/her research as well as his/her view on current events. On Friday may 31st, CQFD welcomed Professor Pierre Magistretti, Director of the National Center of Competence in Research: “Synapsy – the synaptic basis of mental diseases”, and Head of the Laboratory of Neuroenergetics and Brain Dynamics (LNDC) at EPFL.
Brain Mechanisms explained at the energetic level
Did you know that our brain uses 25% of the body’s energy although weighing only 2% of the body? And that this is 10x more than any other organ?
Paradoxically it is a very efficient data processing machine, using only 20W, the equivalent of an electric light bulb. Compared with a supercomputer, which needs about 10 MW, or 10’000 times more, the brain is still the most economic and ecological system.
Several other themes in neuroscience were discussed during one hour: In particular the NCCR Synapsy ground-breaking project bringing together fundamental neuroscience and Psychiatry through innovative translational research, funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
Is Neuroscience going to solve the biological mechanisms underlying psychiatric diseases?
How can Psychiatry and Psychoanalysis be integrated into fundamental research?
“These are among the questions tackled by Psychiatrists and basic neuroscientists who are working together in the NCCR project” answers Pierre Magistretti.
- Listen to the interview: “Rencontre avec Pierre Magistretti” (in french)