On October 8, 2026, the Rosa Maria Vivar Foundation held its 2nd Annual Conference at the August Auditorium of the Palau de Congressos de Tarragona. The 1,145 complimentary tickets sold out. Three specialists explained how the gut and brain communicate, the relationship between microbiota and Alzheimer’s, and which habits help prevent it.
Margarita Oliva, President of the Foundation, and Rubén Viñuales, Mayor of Tarragona, opened the event. Journalist Helena García Melero hosted the day.
The Presentations
Alzheimer's: What Have We Learned and What Remains to Be Done?
Dr. Jorge Sepulcre, neuroscientist and director of the Brain Connectome Lab at Yale University, spoke remotely from the United States. He reviewed what science knows about Alzheimer’s and the questions research still needs to answer. He is a trustee of the Foundation.
Microbiota-Cognition Axis
Dr. M. Victòria Moreno-Arribas, researcher at the Institute of Food Science Research (CIAL-CSIC), explained how intestinal microbiota influences cognitive functions. Her team compares early-stage Alzheimer’s patients with their healthy partners: they eat the same, but have different microbiota. Science does not yet know if this difference is a cause or consequence of the disease.
Much More Than a Gut: "Bugs, Brain, and Life"
Xavier Cañellas, an expert in clinical psychoneuroimmunology and science communicator, described the microbiota as a first brain. He explained which foods nurture it, such as the Mediterranean diet or cooked and cooled potatoes, and which are best avoided, like ultra-processed foods and refined sugars.
The Day in Images
In the Press
El Diari de Tarragona dedicated a report to the conference on October 9, 2026.
Alzheimer’s: why scientists are increasingly looking at the gut
Margarita Oliva: “Alzheimer’s is not just about losing memory, the challenge is coexistence”
Tarragona to host a conference on the importance of microbiota in Alzheimer’s prevention
Palau de Congressos fills up to talk about microbiota, brain, and Alzheimer’s
Research to Prevent
The Rosa Maria Vivar Foundation promotes projects for the prevention of cognitive decline and funds research into Alzheimer’s treatment. Contributions from individuals and companies make research projects like the Global Call (link when we have the project) and outreach events like this conference possible.