Researchers from the Behavioral Neuroscience Laboratory, National Institutes of Health – University of the Philippines Manila (UP-NIH), participated in the 2025 Japan Society for Neuroscience (JNS) conference held in Niigata, Japan from July 24 to 27, 2025.

The team, composed of Dr. Gregory Quirk, Supervising Scientist; Dr. Rohani Cena-Navarro, Project Leader; and Ms. Johanna Munar, Project Technical Specialist; made three presentations that featured their latest findings on the treatment of toluene addiction in an animal model. Toluene is a solvent commonly used in paints, lacquers, paint thinners, among others. A research poster was presented by Ms. Munar and oral research presentations were given by Dr. Cena-Navarro and Dr.  Quirk.

This research presented is part of a larger research program funded by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology (DOST) focusing on mental health. Dr. Cena-Navarro also received a competitive Neuroscience Travel Award from the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO).

During the conference, linkages were established with both the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and JNS to explore opportunities for future conference grants and collaborative research initiatives. The team also met with neuroscience colleagues from Japan, India, and Vietnam, who expressed interest in visiting the Philippines and partnering with the DOST Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (DOST-PCHRD) to support neuroscience capacity-building efforts in the country.