The Invisible World of the Brain: The Neurobiology of Insomnia Under the Microscope with ÜSKÜBAT

The Üsküdar University Scientific Research Society (ÜSKÜBAT) discussed the effects of insomnia on the brain as part of its "Scientific Session" held on December 17, 2025. At the event, which hosted Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Öz, the critical role of neurobiological processes in human health and cognitive functions was addressed from an academic perspective.

ÜSKÜBAT, one of Üsküdar University’s long-established societies dedicated to raising scientific awareness, brought sleep disorders, one of the greatest problems of modern life, to a scientific platform. The presentation titled "The Neurobiology of Insomnia and Its Effects on the Brain," held on December 17, 2025 at the Galenos Conference Hall on the 6th floor of the NP Health Campus, drew great interest from students.

The event’s guest speaker, Deputy Head of the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Öz, detailed the restorative effects of sleep on the nervous system and the neurodegenerative processes caused by insomnia. In the session, which began at 17.30 on December 17, 2025, the inseparable link between sleep and cellular-level brain cleansing, memory consolidation and hormonal balance was presented to participants in light of academic data.

The session, attended by approximately 20 students, emphasized that insomnia is not merely a state of fatigue and explained how it negatively affects brain plasticity in the long term. Stating that sleep is an indispensable component in balancing academic success and mental health, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pınar Öz presented striking examples from current research. On this two-hour scientific journey, students gained important insights into the complex world of neurobiology.

The discussion of topics students were curious about, such as neurological processes and sleep hygiene, during the Q&A section reinforced the interactive nature of the event. ÜSKÜBAT officials underlined that such sessions, which aim to keep scientific curiosity alive by bringing students together with expert academics, will continue throughout the academic calendar.

At the end of the program, the knowledge shared about sleep, one of the brain’s most mysterious functions, shed light on the participants’ professional development. Held under the Directorate of Health, Culture and Sports (HCS), this high-quality scientific gathering once again affirmed Üsküdar University’s research-oriented educational vision.