Chania, Greece
06/06/2025 – 07/06/2025
Event starts in:
Dive into the science of nutrition for brain health and cognition
Initiated in 2014, ILSI Europe’s Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain gathers experts to review the evidence supporting how nutrients, food and diet influence brain health.
The 5th edition of the Symposium will take place on 6 & 7 June 2025 in Chania, Crete (Greece) in collaboration with the Mediterranean Neuroscience Society conference taking place from 7 to 11 June in the same location. With this partnership, we wish to reach not only researchers but also clinicians and health practitioners to raise their awareness on the benefits of nutrition for mental health.
Discover the programme
The proceedings of the Symposium will be submitted for publication with the authorisation of the speakers. Discover the proceedings of the previous editions.
DAY 1 - Friday 6th June
9:00 - Conference starts
Session 1 - Nutrition, Diet and Immune Function
- Berry-Enriched Diet: A Powerful Defense Against Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Decline
- Dr Claudia Nunes Santos, NOVA Medical School (PT) - Metabolic and Inflammatory Risk Scores as Mediators of the effect of diet on dementia and brain health
- Dr Petra Proitsi, Queen Mary University of London (UK) - Systemic inflammation and the impact on brain function
- Prof. Jessica Teeling, University of Southampton (UK)
Break - Networking and poster session
Session 2 - Biomarkers of Cognitive Ageing and Nutrition: Current Advances and Future Directions
- From discovery to validation and application of food intake biomarkers
- Dr Claudine Manach, INRAE (FR) - Exposure to Ultra-Processed Foods and Drinks, Mental and Brain Health: Tracing the Onset of Their Relationship
- Prof. Oren Contreras Rodriguez, UAB Barcelona (ES) - Presentation title TBC
- Dr Anna Lidia Wojdała, Amsterdam UMC (NL)
Break - Lunch
Pitch session - Elevator pitches from selected posters
Break - Networking and poster session
Session 3 - Nutritional Interventions for Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Cognitive Function
- Nutrition and Physical activity for Longevity
- Prof Franscesco Landi, Catholic University of Rome, School of Medicine (IT) - The MIND Diet and Cognitive Aging: Investigating Tryptophan Metabolism in At-Risk Older Adults
- Prof Yannick Vermeiren, Wageningen University (NL) - Effects of omega-3 PUFAs on MRI measures of brain aging in older adults aged 75+ with dementia risk
- Prof. Gene Bowman, Harvard University and Massachusetts General Hospital (US) - Presentation title TBC
- Dr Laure Verstraeten, Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam (NL)
19:00 - Cocktail reception
DAY 2 - Saturday 7th June
9:00 - Conference starts
Session 4 - Nutrition, Dental Health, Oral Microbiome, and Cognition: Exploring the Connections
- Oral microbiome and cognitive health in older age
- Dr Anni Vanhatalo, University of Exete (UK) - Presentation title TBC
- Dr Justyna Godos, University of Catania (IT) - Presentation title TBC
- Prof. Francesco Panza, Universita de Bari (IT)
Break - Networking and poster session
Session 5 - The Intersection of Sex, Nutrition, and Socioeconomic Inequalities: Implications for Health in Old Age
- Presentation title TBC
- Prof. Anne-Marie Minihane, University of East Anglia (UK) - Chronic Stress and Aging Mechanisms
- Prof. George Chrousos, Athens University Medical School (GR) - Protein-enriched Mediterranean diet for preventing undernutrition and cognitive decline in older community dwelling adults
- Dr Claire McEvoy, Queen's Unniversity Belfast (UK)
Break - Lunch
Session 6 - Nutrition in old age for mental health: focus on brain plasticity, cognition and mood disorders
Session supported by ECNP
- Dietary modulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis: Implications for cognitive ageing and mood
- Prof. Sandrine Thuret, King's College London (UK) - Early nutritional interventions to combat ELS-induced accelerated aging
- Prof. Aniko Korosi, University of Amsterdam (NL) - Nutritional interventions with nutraceuticals improve cognition and metabolic function during aging in preclinical models of unhealthy diets
- Dr Chiara Musillo, Center for Behavioral sciences and mental health (IT)
Conference awards and closing
16:00 - Opening of MNS 2025
Book your spot to join us
Deadlines
- Early bird registration: open; Deadline: March 31st 2025 EXTENDED until 30 April 2025
- Regular registration: 16 April 2025; Deadline: May 30th 2025
Early Bird Fees
- Industry (non ILSI Europe member): 680 €
- Industry (ILSI Europe member): 500 €
- Non-industry: 380 €
- Students: 120 €
Regular Fees
- Industry (non ILSI Europe member): 800 €
- Industry (ILSI Europe member): 600 €
- Non-industry: 450 €
- Students: 160 €
Cancellation policy
- Cancellations received before 16 March 2025 will be fully refunded.
- Cancellations received between 17 March and 31 March 2025 will be partially refunded (minus €50 handling charge).
- Cancellations received after 31 March 2025 and no-shows will not be refunded.
- Cancellations should be addressed in writing to Hugo Costa at hcosta@ilsieurope.be
Substitution
Substitution of attendees are accepted if addressed in writing to Hugo Costa at hcosta@ilsieurope.be
Looking for an opportunity to present your research?
The organising committee is welcoming abstracts for oral and poster presentations from researchers in the field.
Submit yours here!
Themes
Session 1️⃣ 🥗🛡️ Nutrition, Diet and Immune Function
Session 2️⃣ 🧬🔍 Biomarkers of Cognitive Ageing and Nutrition: Current Advances and Future Directions
Session 3️⃣ 🥦💪 Nutritional Interventions for Frailty, Sarcopenia, and Cognitive Function
Session 4️⃣ 🦷🦠 Nutrition, Dental Health, Oral Microbiome, and Cognition: Exploring the Connections
Session 5️⃣ 💰⚖️ The Intersection of Sex, Nutrition, and Socioeconomic Inequalities: Implications for Health in Old Age
Session 6️⃣ 🧠🌿 Nutrition for Mental Health in Old Age: Addressing Depression & Anxiety
Deadlines
Poster abstracts: May 14th, 2025.
Oral abstracts: closed.
Rules
Abstracts should be focused on the themes mentioned above, and should not exceed 2500 characters.
When composting your abstract, please keep in mind:
• Relevance: The abstract should be relevant to the conference theme or topic.
• Originality: The abstract should present original research or innovative ideas.
• Clarity: The abstract should be written in clear and concise language, with a well-defined structure and logical flow.
• Significance: The abstract should demonstrate the significance and potential impact of the research or ideas presented.
• Methods: The abstract should provide a clear and concise summary of the research methods used, including the study design, data collection, and analysis.
• Results: The abstract should clearly and accurately describe the research findings and their implications.
• Conclusion: The abstract should provide a clear and concise conclusion that summarizes the main points of the research or ideas presented.
• Grammar and References: The abstract should adhere to grammar rules and include appropriate and relevant references, cited correctly.
The 10th Mediterranean Neuroscience Society Conference will take place from June 7th to June 11th, 2025, in the captivating coastal town of Platanias, near Chania on the island of Crete, Greece.
The conference will bring together neuroscience experts, professionals, and students from around the world, including over 400 anticipated participants. With a commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse atmosphere, the conference will feature extensive opportunities for training, networking, and social interactions. The aim is to provide an exceptional platform for sharing knowledge, ideas, and recent advancements across the full spectrum of basic, translational, preclinical, and clinical neuroscience.
The Scientific and Organizing Committees have curated an engaging program that features keynote speakers, opinion leaders, and experts from across the globe. Dedicated to promoting research, education, advocacy, policy-making, and public awareness in all areas of brain science, the conference will support dialogue and collaboration among neuroscience professionals. The MNS is pleased to offer travel stipends and prizes to young scientists, particularly from the southern Mediterranean regions, encouraging North-South networking and scientific exchange.
About the location
About the venue
Minoa Palace Resort Hotel in Chania was built in 2002 and has been established as one of the leading 5-star resorts in Crete. It stands out due to its aura of tranquility, harmoniously blended in with the sea breeze and the lush green surroundings. The resort is an equally great host for all sorts of corporate events, conferences and meetings.
Covering 35,000 sq. m. of Cretan land in the popular tourist resort of Platanias, this luxury 5-star hotel enamors guests with its majestic surroundings, the miraculous views of the shimmering Aegean Sea and the White Mountains as well as the high-end facilities and bespoke services offered. To further enhance the overall guest experience, the hotel was expanded with an aerial bridge connecting the Main Building Bungalow complex with the Imperial Beach Wing thus offering immediate access to the beach from both buildings.
The Minoa Palace 5-star hotel comprises of two main buildings featuring a variety of elegantly appointed rooms and suites, 4 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa & wellness center, many communal and private pools, a jewelry shop and a great range of leisure options, sports activities and cultural events.
Minoa Palace Resort Hotel in Chania was built in 2002 and has been established as one of the leading 5-star resorts in Crete. It stands out due to its aura of tranquility, harmoniously blended in with the sea breeze and the lush green surroundings. The resort is an equally great host for all sorts of corporate events, conferences, and meetings.
The Minoa Palace 5-star hotel comprises two main buildings featuring a variety of elegantly appointed rooms and suites, 4 restaurants, 4 bars, a spa & wellness center, many communal and private pools, a jewelry shop, and a great range of leisure options, sports activities, and cultural events.
How to get there
The venue is located approximately 30 kilometers from Chania Airport, making it the closest and most convenient airport to travel to.
Address: Minoa Palace Resort Hotel - Platanias, Chania, Crete, Greece, 73014
By Taxi
- A taxi ride from Chania Airport to the venue typically takes just under 30 minutes.
- Taxis are readily available at the airport’s designated taxi stand near the Arrivals area.
By Bus
- A bus service connects Chania Airport to the city of Chania.
- The bus stop is located across from the Departures area, on the east side of the Terminal.
- Tickets can be purchased directly from the bus driver.
- From Chania city, additional bus services to Platanias may be available.
For more details on bus schedules and routes, visit the official website: KTEL Crete
Accommodation
Platanias near Chania offers a wide variety of hotels and accommodations to suit different preferences and budgets. Below are some suggestions you might find helpful:
- Geraniotis Beach Hotel
- A beachfront hotel offering comfortable accommodations with access to two swimming pools and a restaurant. Price range: €80–€150 per night (Standard rooms, off-peak season)
- Distance: Approximately 1.1 km from Minoa Palace Resort.
- Visit Website
- Porto Platanias Beach Resort & Spa
- A five-star resort featuring multiple pools, spa facilities, and various dining options. Price range: €150–€300 per night (5-star resort, depending on the room type)
- Distance: About 1.3 km from Minoa Palace Resort.
- Visit Website
- Thalassa Beach Resort (Adults Only)
- A modern hotel with spa facilities, beachfront access, and elegant accommodations. Price range: €120–€250 per night (Adults-only resort, beachfront access)
- Distance: Approximately 1.9 km from Minoa Palace Resort.
- Visit Website
- Sonio Beach Hotel
- A charming hotel featuring an outdoor pool, restaurant, and proximity to the beach. Price range: €70–€120 per night (Mid-range hotel with outdoor pool)
- Distance: Approximately 0.3 km from Minoa Palace Resort.
- Visit Website
- Santa Helena Beach
- Offers comfortable rooms with easy beach access and recreational facilities. Price range: €50–€100 per night (Affordable beach access hotel)
- Distance: 0.3 km from Minoa Palace Resort.
- Visit Website
- Metohi Georgila
- A traditional Cretan experience with modern comforts and a peaceful atmosphere. Price range: €80–€150 per night (Traditional Cretan-style accommodations)
- Distance: 0.6 km from Minoa Palace Resort.
- Visit Website
- Porto Kalamaki Hotel
- Located slightly further at 5.0 km from Platanias, this hotel offers affordable rates with amenities like a swimming pool and easy access to local attractions. Price range: €60–€110 per night (Affordable rates with easy access to local attractions)
- Visit Website
Meet our official sponsors & partners
SILVER SPONSORS
As part of Danone, Nutricia embraces the company’s mission of bringing health through food to as many people as possible. Building on 125 years of research, Nutricia pioneers medical nutrition that helps enable life-changing health outcomes, so that people can live their life to its fullest.
Nutricia supports healthy growth and development in early life and plays its part addressing some of the world’s biggest health challenges from birth through to old age with nutritional solutions – among them for food allergy, rare metabolic diseases, age-related conditions, and chronic disease, such as frailty, cancer, stroke and early Alzheimer’s.
Website: nutricia.com
Haleon (LSE/NYSE: HLN) is a global leader in consumer health, with a purpose to deliver better everyday health with humanity. Haleon’s product portfolio spans five major categories - Oral Health, Pain Relief, Respiratory Health, Digestive Health and Other, and Vitamins, Minerals and Supplements (VMS). Its long-standing brands - such as Advil, Sensodyne, Panadol, Voltaren, Theraflu, Otrivin, Polident, parodontax and Centrum - are built on trusted science, innovation and deep human understanding.
Website: haleon.com
MEDIA PARTNER
Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech is a peer-reviewed journal of TKS TeknoScienze Publisher. It deals with Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods and Healthy Ingredients. Founded in 1990 Agro FOOD Industry Hi Tech soon became a leading journal in linking industry and academia and gained an immediate appreciation worldwide. Since 2023, it enjoys an additional format, which is totally digital, responsive, and interactive!
Website: https://www.teknoscienze.com/agro-food-industry/
ILSI Europe welcomes food and related industry or scientific journals to sponsor the 5th edition of the Symposium. Interested in this opportunity? Contact Hugo Costa at hcosta@ilsieurope.be
Early Bird Registrations extended until 30 April 2025! Don't miss your chance!
Speakers
Speakers at the Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain are leading researchers in nutrition, ageing and cognition science from around Europe. Discover the full list of confirmed speakers in the Programme tab above!
Scientific Committee
The 5th Symposium on Nutrition for the Ageing Brain is supported by an exceptional committee of experts responsible for selecting speakers and abstracts, shaping a dynamic and thought-provoking programme.
If you have any question about the event, please don’t hesitate to contact Maria Tonti (mtonti@ilsieurope.be) or Hugo Costa (hcosta@ilsieurope.be).