Brain Day Hamilton
FREE EVENT: NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED
Discover the wonders of the human brain and learn about the latest neuroscience research into brain health and brain disorders.
Lectures by leading neuroscientists and clinical neurology experts.
Displays and talks by community support groups.
Brain Day Hamilton is brought to you by the Neurological Foundation.
Lectures:
10.30am: Dr Suzanne Ackerley, Neurological physiotherapist, School of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Auckland
Predicting and priming recovery after stroke
Every day 22 New Zealanders have a stroke and many will be disabled and need significant daily support. Dr Suzanne Ackerley is part of a New Zealand-based team investigating new approaches to rehabilitation following stroke or brain injury, and these approaches show great promise. Dr Ackerley’s PhD research, funded by the Neurological Foundation, has been focused on combining the ‘priming’ of the stroke-affected side of the brain using non-invasive magnetic stimulation with simple rehabilitation exercises. To date, this exciting research has shown that this combination can help people recover arm and hand function several months after a stroke. Dr Ackerley will outline how this therapy works, and the real hope that it holds for future rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients.
12.15pm: Author Ann Andrews – Author of Positively Parkinson’s, published August 2011
Positively Parkinson’s – author interview
More than 10,000 New Zealanders have Parkinson’s disease, but many thousands more are dealing with Parkinson’s every day – relatives and friends, carers and health professionals. This event takes on an interview format with Sue Giddens from the Neurological Foundation interviewing Positively Parkinson’s author Ann Andrews followed by a public question and answer segment. Sue will talk to Ann about her Parkinson’s journey over the last 11 years that culminated in the recent publication of her much-acclaimed book Positively Parkinson’s. Ann has worked as a television and theatre producer, researcher, teacher and crisis counsellor. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in mid-life, Positively Parkinson’s is the book she would like to have read at that critical time.
Positively Parkinson’s will be available for purchase at Brain Day Hamilton – see the stand in the support group area.
2.00pm: Dr Phil Wood, Geriatrician, Clinical Service Leader, Waikato District Health Board’s Older Person’s and Rehabilitation Services
Alzheimer’s disease: Research progress and prospects
Alzheimer’s disease is a degenerative brain disease and research has shown that the immune system plays an important role in the disease process. Some immune-based therapies show great promise for the future treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and geriatrician Dr Phil Wood will cover recent and planned research techniques that are currently being investigated for both the treatment and the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease. Dr Wood, who has a long-standing interest in degenerative brain diseases in the older person, has been involved in a range of research projects relating to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. At the end of this lecture, Dr Wood will also answer questions on matters relating to cognitive decline in the elderly.
Key Seminars:
11.45am: Stroke Foundation, Waikato
Is it a stroke? Act FAST!
How can you tell if someone is having a stroke? This seminar will teach you the signs and symptoms of stroke that usually come on very suddenly. By learning to recognise the symptoms of stroke you could save a life! Learn the FAST check (Face, Arms, Speech, Time).
1.30pm: Epilepsy New Zealand
Improving life with epilepsy
Epilepsy is hardly a rare neurological disorder – over 60,000 New Zealanders live with it each day – but despite this, it is not well understood. This seminar will provide interesting facts and information about epilepsy, and will outline the excellent support services available here, and the interesting, world-class study underway in New Zealand, funded by the Neurological Foundation.
3.20pm: Alzheimer’s New Zealand, Waikato
Caring for the Carer
Caring for someone with dementia can be an intensive, challenging and rewarding experience all at once. It is important you do not try to manage alone – there are services available to help you from health professionals and social services. This seminar will take you through the support options available and provide some key tools to ensure the wellbeing of you, your family, and the person you are caring for.