Programme Highlights:

Lectures by Distinguished Neuroscientists

    • Anatomy of limbic structures in humans and rats
    • Neuron types, connections, and computational models
    • Neurotransmitters, plasticity, and neurogenesis
    • Pathophysiology and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, addiction, and PTSD

Hands-On Laboratory Training

      • Primary neuronal cultures and computational model development
      • Human and rat brain anatomy exploration
      • In vivo behavioral experimentation with rodent models
      • Patient case presentations

Learning Outcomes:

  • Comprehensive knowledge of the anatomy and function of limbic structures
  • Skills in basic experimental techniques: cell cultures and behavioral tests
  • Understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of major disorders

Join Us

Gain a profound understanding of the limbic system and hands-on experience in cutting-edge neuroscience research. Apply now and be part of this transformative educational journey in Ioannina, Greece.

Detailed Schedule:

28 September:

Morning Lectures:

  • Why we need computational models in neuroscience
  • Computational models of neurons and dendrites
  • Modeling neuronal circuits
  • Insights on disease processes from computational models

Afternoon Labs:

  • Hands-on development of neuronal and circuit models

29 September:

Morning Lectures:

      • Anatomy of the limbic structures
      • Neuron types and their dendritic fields
      • Connections of the limbic structures
      • Neurotransmitters in the limbic system
      • Plasticity and neurogenesis

Afternoon Labs:

        • Primary neuronal cultures
        • Hands-on human and rat brain anatomy

30 September:

Morning Lectures:

  • Computational models and neurotransmitters
  •  Alzheimer’s disease: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment
  •  Differential diagnosis of dementia types
  •  Animal models and primary cultures of Alzheimer’s

Afternoon Labs:

  • In vivo behavioral experimentation
  • Patient case presentations

1st October:

Morning Lectures:

  • Addiction: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment
  • OCD: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment
  • PTSD: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment
  • Animal models of stress

Afternoon Labs:

  • In vivo behavioral experimentation
  • Patient case presentations

2nd October

Organising my own project: From grant application to actual publication

Plenary Speakers:

Menno P. Witter

Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience, Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, NTNU

Panagiota Poirazi

Neuroscientist, Research Director, Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, FORTH

Educators:

Konstantinos Tsamis

Assistant Professor of Physiology, Neurologist, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina

Konitsiotis Spyridon

Professor of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina

Ioanna Sandvig

Professor of Neuroscience, Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science, NTNU, President of the Norwegian Neuroscience Society

Axel Sandvig

Professor Umeå University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation

Petros Skapinakis

Professor of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina

Chrysanthi Bekiari

Assistant Professor of Anatomy, Histology & Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki

Michaela Filiou

Associate Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Biological Applications & Technology, University of Ioannina & Biomedical Research Institute, FORTH

Flavio Donato

Assistant Professor of Neurobiology, Biozentrum of the University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland.

Bernard Hanseeuw

Professor of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences, Université Catholique de Louvain & Radiology Department, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School

Dimitrios Mytilinaios

Forensic Pathologist and Anatomist, Content Manager, Kenhub GmbH, Leipzig

Stefanos Mpellos

Postdoctoral Researcher in Physiology, Psychiatrist, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ioannina

Markus Nussbaumer

Research Technician, Department of Biological Applications & Technology, University of Ioannina & Biomedical Research Institute, FORTH

Gallery:

On-site Participation – Courses & Labs (All Inclusive)

Category Early Mid Late
Courses & Labs (without accommodation)
390€
490€
590€
Courses & Labs + Accommodation (double room)
390€ + 20€/night
490€ + 20€/night
590€ + 20€/night
Courses & Labs + Accommodation (single room)
390€ + 30€/night
490€ + 30€/night
590€ + 30€/night
  • Includes: morning courses, afternoon laboratory sessions, meals (breakfast, dinner), social &
    cultural activities, course and lab materials, and certificate of attendance.Transport to
    university facilities is not provided.

On-site Courses Only

Category Fee
On-site Courses only
190€
  • Includes: morning courses, breakfast, coffee breaks, lunch, course materials, and
    social/cultural activities. Does not include afternoon labs. Transport to university facilities is not
    provided.

Online Participation

Category Fee
Online courses
90€
  • Includes live access to morning courses, digital materials, and certificate of attendance.

Full Table

Participation Type Early Mid Late Notes
Courses & Labs (on-site, no accommodation)
390€
490€
590€
All meals, labs & activities included
Courses & Labs + Double room
390€ + 20€/night
490€ + 20€/night
590€ + 20€/night
University Dorm
Courses & Labs + Single room
390€ + 30€/night
490€ + 30€/night
590€ + 30€/night
University Dorm
On-site Courses only
190€
190€
190€
Meals & activities, no labs
Online participation
90€
90€
90€
Morning courses only

Contact Information

  • Participants will be asked to provide: Full contact details (email, phone number, address), institutional/organizational affiliation, dietary preferences or restrictions, accessibility requirements, any additional custom information relevant to the event. 

Registration Details

🏨 Accommodation

University Dorm “Stavros Niarchos”

The University Dorm “Stavros Niarchos” provides comfortable, hotel-style accommodation designed to support both study and daily living.

  • Private bathroom
  • Small refrigerator
  • Hotel-quality bed linen
  • Free high-speed Wi-Fi
  • On-site laundry room (free of charge)
  • Shared kitchen (located in a nearby building)
  • Rooms professionally cleaned twice per week (mandatory)
  • Linen changed by guests every Monday
  • Strict policy: no smoking, no cooking in rooms, no pets

📦 What’s Included

Included (depending on the selected program option)

  • Morning courses
  • Afternoon laboratory sessions (full on-site option only)
  • Daily meals: breakfast, coffee breaks, and lunch
  • Social and cultural activities
  • All course and laboratory materials
  • Official certificate of attendance

Not Included

  • Travel to and from Ioannina
  • Local transportation, including transfers to laboratory facilities
  • Travel or health insurance
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional accommodation nights outside the official school dates

Payment Details

➔ Fees are payable exclusively via bank transfer.
Payments may be completed by the participant or by their institution. Credit card and cash payments are not available.
➔ Bank details are provided during the registration process.

Cancellation & Refund Rule

  • Refunds are possible only before 31 August, with a 20% administrative deduction applied to the refundable amount.
  • No refunds are provided for cancellations submitted after the end of August.
  • No refunds are provided in case of no-show.
  • Accommodation fees are non-refundable once booked.

Application Process:

To apply for the Ioannina Summer School on “The Limbic Structures of the Brain – From Bench to Bedside,” please follow the steps below and send your application via email to ktsamis@uoi.gr

Required Information:

  1. Title (Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.)
  2. First Name
  3. Surname
  4. Father’s Name
  5. Date of Birth
  6. Nationality
  7. Passport Number
  8. Education Level (Undergraduate, Graduate, Postgraduate, etc.)
  9. Phone Number
  10. E-Mail Address
  11. Field of Studies

How to Submit:

  1. Prepare your application with all the required information listed above.
  2. Attach your Motivation Letter in PDF format to the email.
  3. Send your email with the subject line “Application for University of Ioannina Limbic Summer School” to ktsamis@uoi.gr

The location:

Beyond the Summer School

Explore Ioannina

Between lectures and labs, discover a lakeside university city shaped by Byzantine, Ottoman and Epirote heritage — with museums, the Castle, the island of Lake Pamvotida, natural wonders and a lively evening scene.

30–60 min Lakefront walk & Mavili Square
1–2 hours Castle & Its Kale
2–3 hours Boat to the Lake Island
Half-day Perama Cave or Dodona
Evening Old town, food, cafés & nightlife

Things worth seeing

A compact shortlist for Summer School participants, prioritising places that are easy to combine with a busy academic programme.

Information checked · 27 Aug 2026
The inhabited island of Lake Pamvotida Nature · Culture

Lake Pamvotida & the Island

Walk the waterfront, then take one of the small boats that regularly depart from the Ioannina pier. The inhabited island has a traditional stone settlement, seven monasteries and the Museum of Ali Pasha.

Best around sunset Boat + walking
Ioannina Castle History

Ioannina Castle & Its Kale

Wander through one of the city’s most atmospheric quarters, with cobbled streets, the Fethiye Mosque, Ali Pasha’s tomb, the Aslan Pasha Mosque and several museums. Entry to the Castle-Town itself is free.

Free castle entry Easy city-centre walk
Silversmithing Museum of Ioannina Museum

Silversmithing Museum

Inside Its Kale, this modern museum explains the techniques and history of Epirote silversmithing — one of the crafts most closely associated with Ioannina.

10:00–18:00* Tuesday closed €8 · reduced €4
Archaeological Museum of Ioannina Museums

Archaeological & Byzantine Museums

The Archaeological Museum presents finds from Epirus from the Lower Palaeolithic through Roman times, including important material from Dodona. Inside the Castle, the Byzantine Museum focuses on the city and region’s Byzantine and post-Byzantine heritage.

08:00–20:00* Tuesday closed Archaeological €10 Byzantine €5
Interior of the Cave of Perama Natural Wonder

Cave of Perama

Just outside the centre, the guided route passes through spectacular chambers of stalactites and stalagmites. The official route is about 1.1 km and the visit lasts roughly 45 minutes.

09:00–17:00* 45-min tour 18°C year-round €8 · student €4
Ancient theatre of Dodona Half-day · Nearby

Ancient Dodona

If you have a longer break and transport, visit the sanctuary of Zeus at Dodona, one of the most important oracle sites of the ancient Greek world, together with its monumental ancient theatre.

Best with a half-day Outside the city

After the academic day

Food, cafés & evening life

You do not need a specific venue list to enjoy Ioannina after class. The official Greek tourism guide highlights several compact areas, each with a different atmosphere.

Relaxed

Mavili Square & lakefront

A classic meeting point for coffee, a waterside walk and a calm end to the day.

Local flavour

Anexartisias & Pargis

Traditional tavernas and tsipouradika, with Epirote food, meze and an old-city feel.

Lively

Kallari & Liampei Arcade

Younger nightlife, music spots and bars in the heart of the city’s student scene.

Atmospheric

Maramenos Arcade & old town

Historic stone architecture mixed with contemporary bars and a more intimate evening mood.

*Opening hours and ticket prices can change. The times shown are the official schedules available for the 2026 Summer School period (28 September–2 October). Please use the linked official page for a same-day check, especially for museums, archaeological sites and the Cave of Perama.