A new paradigm is changing the way medicine looks at the brain. No longer seen as an isolated organ enclosed within the skull and comparable to a calculating machine, the brain is now understood as a complex, dynamic system deeply interconnected with the body, the mind, and even society itself.
This was the central theme of the scientific event hosted at the Auditorium of UniCamillus University on 19th May 2026, which brought together clinicians, researchers, and academics in an interdisciplinary dialogue of remarkable scientific and emotional depth. The conference was titled “Brain Health: The Integrated Approach Between Sleep Medicine, Mental Health, Nutrition, and Oral Health”.
The meeting was organized by Professor Andrea Romigi — Professor of Neurology at the Medical University and Head of the Sleep Medicine Center at IRCCS Neuromed — as part of the third edition of the UniCamillus Third Mission Conference Series, “Where Science Meets Society.”
The event was moderated by Professors Barbara Tavazzi, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery at UniCamillus, and Donatella Padua, Rector’s Delegate for the Third Mission at UniCamillus and Scientific Coordinator of the conference series.
Alongside Professor Romigi, speakers included UniCamillus professors Gianfranco Peluso (President of the Degree Program in Human Nutrition Sciences), Paola Cozza (President of the Degree Program in Dentistry and Dental Prosthetics), Stefania Chiappini (Professor of Psychiatry), Vera Kopsaj (Professor of Sociology of Cultural and Communication Processes and General Sociology), Valentina Alfonsi (Professor of General Psychology), and Angelo Giovanni Icro Maremmani (Professor of Psychiatry).
Tavazzi: “The Brain as an Ecosystem”
Professor Barbara Tavazzi opened the discussion by clearly outlining the new vision of contemporary medicine.
“Traditionally, the brain was considered an organ enclosed within the skull, responsible for complex but isolated functions. Today, it is interpreted as a true ecosystem, continuously interacting with other systems of the body. This perspective allows us to better understand how brain well-being is influenced by various factors, including sleep, mental health, nutrition, and oral health.”
In an era marked by stress, hyperconnectivity, and performance pressure, the brain has become the point where multiple biological and environmental factors converge.
“Taking care of these aspects does not simply mean preventing disease, but improving overall quality of life. A healthy balance between sleep and mental well-being also contributes to better social relationships and personal well-being, making individuals more stable, calm, and in harmony with themselves and others.”
Padua: “The Third Mission Is the Value of Shared Knowledge”
Professor Donatella Padua emphasized the value of the university’s Third Mission: opening scientific knowledge to society. She effectively described knowledge as a “mosaic,” in which every discipline represents a tile that is incomplete on its own, but together forms a coherent picture of human health.
“In this context, sleep can be observed from a dual perspective: on one hand as the result of a state of health or illness, and on the other as a factor that itself contributes to generating health or disease. Sleep is not an isolated element, but part of a circular process involving the individual’s entire balance. It therefore becomes essential to understand where to intervene: whether to consider sleep as a cause or a consequence of our states of well-being or distress.”
Romigi: “Sleep as a Pillar of Brain Health”
The first major theme focused on sleep medicine, explored by Professor Andrea Romigi, who highlighted a crucial point: sleep is not passive rest, but an intensely active biological process. During sleep, the brain eliminates toxins, consolidates memory, reorganizes synaptic connections, and regulates emotions and learning.
Yet sleep remains insufficiently studied by researchers. “Globally, there is still strong inequality in scientific knowledge on this topic: only 40% of the world’s population has been the subject of systematic sleep studies, while information remains limited in many areas of the world.”
At the same time, epidemiological studies clearly show the impact of insufficient sleep on public health. “If this risk factor were eliminated, there would be a significant reduction in strokes, depression, and workplace accidents. The economic burden of these disorders is enormous, reaching tens of billions of dollars, demonstrating that sleep should be considered a priority in public health strategies.”
In Italy, the figures are significant. “At least six million people suffer from sleep apnea, a disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops during sleep, causing numerous micro-awakenings and fragmented rest. Around eight to nine million people suffer from chronic insomnia. Moreover, after the pandemic, requests for assistance with sleep disorders increased by 30%. All of this matters because insufficient or poor-quality sleep is also associated with a higher risk of obesity, diabetes, and mortality.”
Sleep depends not only on biological factors, but also on social life and daily rhythms. “Our body is regulated by three different ‘biological clocks’: the internal clock (which governs bodily rhythms), the social clock (linked to school, work, and commitments), and the solar clock (the light-dark cycle).” When these clocks are not synchronized, an imbalance known as social jet lag occurs — a kind of “misalignment” between the body’s natural rhythm and the rhythm imposed by social life. This phenomenon is especially common among adolescents and may contribute to depression, increased use of stimulants, weight gain, and metabolic alterations.
The message was therefore clear: sleeping well is not a luxury, but a primary biological necessity.
Peluso: “Nutrition, Sleep, and the Microbiota: The Gut as a ‘Second Brain’”
Professor Gianfranco Peluso clearly illustrated the role of the gut microbiota, meaning the collection of microorganisms living in our intestines and cooperating with the human body.
Peluso explained that the microbiota is not merely a group of bacteria, but a genuine resource for the organism. “These microorganisms possess far more genes than humans do and help us produce substances that we could not generate on our own.” In practice, these bacteria “work with us” and expand the functions of our body. The intestine therefore serves not only digestion, but is also connected to the brain through nerves, hormones, and the immune system.
The expert then highlighted the connection with sleep: intestinal bacteria produce substances such as serotonin, GABA, and melatonin, which influence mood and the sleep-wake cycle. When the microbiota is balanced, it also helps regulate sleep. When altered (dysbiosis), problems such as insomnia, nighttime awakenings, stress, and mood difficulties may arise. The relationship between sleep and the microbiota is bidirectional: not only does the gut influence sleep, but sleeping too little or poorly can also worsen intestinal flora.
Professor Peluso’s conclusion was unequivocal: “Poor nutrition can alter the microbiota within just a few days and, if the imbalance persists over time, it may have long-term effects on overall health, including the brain and sleep.”
Cozza: “Oral Health and Sleep: The Mouth as the ‘Gateway of Breathing’”
Professor Paola Cozza emphasized how sleep disorders directly involve oral health, since the mouth plays a key role in nighttime breathing.
Although sleep-related breathing disorders are multifactorial, they often originate in the oral cavity. The professor explained that one of the main mechanisms concerns the relationship between the tongue and the bones that “contain” it (the jaw and maxilla). During sleep, muscles relax: the tongue loses tone and, if space within the mouth is limited, tends to move backward toward the throat. When this happens, the tongue can approach or press against the upper airways, narrowing airflow. It is precisely this “posterior collapse” that may obstruct nighttime breathing and contribute to snoring, micro-awakenings, and, in more severe cases, sleep apnea. This can then lead to daytime sleepiness, reduced concentration, and poorer quality of life.
Orthodontics can intervene by improving the geometry of oral structures. However, in adults, the effects of devices are often mainly symptomatic. In children, by contrast, intervention is more effective. For this reason, the expert stressed the importance of prevention in childhood: “Intervening early means modifying craniofacial growth and preventing future respiratory disorders.”
Chiappini: “Sleep and the Mind Have a Bidirectional Relationship”
Professor Stefania Chiappini discussed the profound connection between sleep disorders and mental health. Insomnia, anxiety, depression, and mood disorders are not separate entities, but interconnected phenomena sharing the same neurobiological circuits: if sleep is disrupted, psychological balance may also suffer.
Sleep is not merely for “resting”; it is essential for regulating emotions, memory, and the ability to adapt to stress. When sleep is disturbed, the brain operates under conditions of overload. “Sleep alterations, particularly insomnia, can modify the stress response and contribute to the development of mental disorders.”
A central role is played by the internal biological clock already mentioned earlier. Chiappini reminded the audience that there is a circadian system regulating bodily functions: “It is a system governed by a central clock and genes such as CLOCK and BMAL1, synchronizing sleep, hormones, metabolism, and emotions.” When this system becomes altered, mental balance is destabilized as well.
The professor also highlighted how mood disorders are often linked to this desynchronization: night-shift work, jet lag, or insufficient exposure to light may increase the risk of anxiety and depression precisely because they disrupt the body’s natural rhythm.
Another important point concerns the two-way relationship between sleep and psychiatric disorders. “Not only does poor sleep worsen mood, but anxiety and depression also worsen sleep, creating a vicious cycle.”
Moreover, sleep consists of different phases, such as REM and NREM, which are also responsible for processing emotions and memories. If these phases are interrupted, coping with everyday stress may become more difficult. Sleep is therefore a central component of mental health: protecting it also means protecting emotional balance and overall psychological well-being.
Kopsaj: “Sleep as a Social Factor”
With the contribution of Professor Vera Kopsaj, attention shifted from the biological to the social dimension. Her talk opened with a simple yet provocative question: “Are you sleepy? If so, why aren’t you sleeping right now?”
From there came the reflection: sleep depends not only on physical tiredness, but also on the context in which we live. “We do not sleep only when we are sleepy, but when social conditions allow us to do so.” Kopsaj therefore proposed a change in perspective: the brain is not merely a biological organ, but a profoundly relational system, a node traversed by everyday relationships. When we go to sleep, we do not leave our social lives outside; we carry emotions, conflicts, relationships, and stress with us. “Sleep is influenced by emotional relationships, job insecurity, economic anxiety, and digital hyperconnectivity.”
Central to this discussion was, naturally, the role of social relationships: having strong support networks improves general well-being and therefore sleep quality, while loneliness and isolation increase the risk of insomnia and stress.
From this perspective, sleep is not merely an individual factor, but a social phenomenon: it depends on age, work, economic conditions, relationships, and even the sense of perceived security.
Alfonsi: “The Life Cycle and the Fragility of Sleep”
Professor Valentina Alfonsi explained how sleep is not static, but changes profoundly throughout life, both in quantity and quality. “In children, sleep is much longer and serves brain development, while in adults it stabilizes, and in older people it tends to decrease and become lighter.”
With aging, not only does the amount of sleep change, but also the way we sleep. Alfonsi noted that “wakefulness increases while deep, restorative sleep decreases.” In particular, REM sleep is reduced and sleep becomes more fragmented, with more nighttime awakenings and less continuous rest.
Biological rhythms also change. “In older adults, there is an anticipation of the sleep-wake rhythm, with a tendency to fall asleep and wake up earlier.” This means the internal clock shifts forward. The professor explained that these changes are physiological, but may become problematic when combined with other factors typical of advanced age, such as chronic illnesses, medications, or social isolation.
An important aspect concerns what happens in the brain while we sleep. “During sleep, a sort of ‘cleaning system’ is activated, eliminating waste substances and potentially toxic proteins accumulated throughout the day. This mechanism is essential for protecting memory, learning, and cognitive functions.” When sleep is insufficient or fragmented, this elimination process becomes less effective. Consequently, certain proteins associated with neurodegenerative diseases — such as beta-amyloid and tau protein, linked to Alzheimer’s disease — may accumulate more easily in the brain.
However, not all older adults experience this decline. The professor referred to the so-called “super agers,” people over eighty who maintain strong cognitive abilities. In these cases, “sleep remains one of the main protective factors for healthy aging.”
Maremmani: “The Risk of Oversimplification”
In the final roundtable discussion, Professor Angelo Giovanni Icro Maremmani brought attention back to everyday clinical practice, stressing how sleep is often underestimated.
In psychiatry, sleep is never a secondary element. “It is often viewed merely as a symptom, but it can appear in different forms: insomnia in mood disorders, insomnia in depressive conditions, or hypersomnia.” According to Maremmani, these signs are often early indicators of a broader imbalance.
The main problem emerges when it comes to managing insomnia. In clinical practice, the risk is oversimplification. “The patient simply says, ‘I can’t sleep,’ and often the discussion stops there,” he explained, describing an approach that remains all too common.
From there, treatment easily moves toward medication. “Hypnotic drugs are prescribed correctly according to guidelines, but in reality many patients are unable to stop taking them.” The result may be functional dependence, in which medication becomes necessary for sleep without resolving the underlying cause of the disorder. This creates a double problem: the sleep issue becomes chronic, while potential drug dependence is added to the picture.
The professor therefore emphasized the importance of a more careful and multidisciplinary approach, encouraging clinicians to consider insomnia not as an isolated symptom, but as a complex condition deserving thorough analysis.
A Common Thread: Health as a Living Balance
What emerged powerfully from the entire event was one compelling idea: nothing in the brain exists in isolation.
Sleep interacts with the microbiota. The microbiota influences the mind. The mind influences social behavior. Society alters sleep. Sleep, in turn, modulates the brain. It is a circular, dynamic, continuous network.
The Brain Health event at UniCamillus was not merely a scientific conference, but a true exercise in vision: it demonstrated that brain health is not built in a laboratory or within a single medical specialty, but in the meeting point between disciplines, people, and life contexts.
The final lesson was simple yet profoundly human: taking care of the brain means taking care of sleep, the body, the mind, and the relationships that shape our lives.
A quiet but powerful invitation to rethink medicine not as the sum of separate parts, but as attentive care for the individual as a whole.
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