Brain Connections - Advances in Research and Support: an afternoon of Science and Support

25 Sep 2025

Brain Connections: Advances in Research and Support was successfully held in the Western Gateway Building on Saturday 14th June 2025;  a very popular and informative public engagement event which focused on brain health and neurodegenerative conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease.

First hosted in 2016, Brain Connections 2025 was organised by the UCC Parkinson’s Disease Research Cluster, and schools and departments of the College of Medicine and Health, including the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, School of Clinical Therapies and School of Medicine, and supported by APC Microbiome Ireland, UCC Futures and Parkinson's Ireland, Brain Connections 2025 welcomed over 100 attendees to the Western Gateway Building for an afternoon of Advances in Research and Support.

The event brought together academic researchers, healthcare professionals, people living with neurological conditions, caregivers, and representatives from organisations including the Cork branch of Parkinson’s Ireland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland and UCC FUTURES Future Ageing and Brain Science researchers.

Participants engaged in expert-led sessions covering topics including gut health and diet, exercise, communication, music, and the wide range of supports available across Ireland. Presentations were designed to encourage conversation and mutual learning, with cabaret-style chairs arrangements which fostered dialogue between attendees and speakers.

Feedback collected throughout the day via "Minute Papers" highlighted strong interest in all session topics. Attendees particularly appreciated the 'Music and the Brain' and the 'Brain Communication' session for their interactivity and practical advice. There was also a interest to explore gut health and dietary strategies to support healthy ageing, as well as better access to local resources and services. In response to popular demand, selected video recordings of the day's presentations have been shared across networks of Parkinson’s Ireland and The Alzheimer Society of Ireland. 

Opening remarks by Professor Susan Timmons Consultant Geriatrician, Principal Investigator & Programme Director MSc Dementia & MSc OPR, UCC welcomed all and with her insights launched the packed programme. Other speakers and organisers included; Dr Ruth McCullagh, Senior Lecturer, Discipline of Physiotherapy, UCC; Dr Emma Gleeson, Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences; Dr Sarah Nicolas, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience; Professor Tony Foley, Department of General Practice, UCC; Dr Gemma McCarthy, Advanced Nurse Practitioner ICPOP, Memory Clinic, HSE Cork; Dr Diana Olszewska, Consultant Neurologist, CUH; Dr Grace Crotty, Consultant Neurologist, CUH; Dr Leanne Ahern, Physiotherapist, North Cork Primary Care Services; Dr Kseniya Simbirtseva, APC Microbiome; Dr Fiadhnait O'Keeffe, Department of Applied Psychology; Ms Charlotte Deasy, Parkinson’s Ireland, Parkinson's disease Nurse Specialist; Ms Amy Murphy, Alzheimer Society of Ireland, Dementia Advisor, Dr Eva McMullan, Department of Music UCC and Professor Aideen Sullivan Professor and Chair, Dept Pharmacology & Therapeutics; Director of UCC Futures: Future Ageing and Brain Science, at University College Cork.

In addition to the presentations and interactive events the Western Gateway Building atrium hosted exhibition stands from a  variety of contributors; featuring researchers, AL4Hope,  In-Touch, local health clinicians, Dementia and Parkinson’s clinical supports groups with representatives from Alzheimer’s society of Ireland, Parkinson’s Ireland and also stands representing Dementia Research Network Ireland, EMERALD- Lewy Research Program, Global Brain Health Institute, Cork County Council Library, PragmaClin.  Strolll were also present, demonstrating their innovative augmented reality glasses.

The event was a lively inclusive and educational event. The organisers would like to thank all that attended and contributed the success of the day and a particular thanks to the student volunteers, whose efforts ensured that the event ran smoothly.

Brain Connections 2025 Speakers and Organisers group: Front row left to right: Dr Emma Gleeson, Dr Gemma McCarthy, Dr Kseniya Simbirtseva, Professor Suzanne Timmons, Professor Tony Foley, Dr Ruth McCullagh, Ms Charlotte Deasey, Dr Eva McMullan,

Back row left to right Dr Diana Olszewska, Dr Fiadhnait O'Keeffe, Dr Sarah Nicolas, Ms Leanne Ahern, Dr Emma O’Shea and Ms Amy Murphy.

Links: Brain Connections 2018 in the news

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News text: Dr Sarah Nicolas and Bereniece Riedewald

Photographs: Bereniece Riedewald