UNMC Sponsors Free Mini-Medical School Series on Brain
Disease in Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte
and Scottsbluff
Within this century, brain disease and injuries of the brain such
as Alzheimers disease, stroke, epilepsy, Parkinsons disease and others
— will rival heart disease as the leading cause of disability and death
in the United States, according to the U.S. National Institute of Neurological
Disorders and Stroke at the National Institutes of Health.
Researchers at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and others
around the world are working to prevent this grim prediction from becoming
reality through neuroscience — the study of the brain. Not long ago, the
brain was thought to be too complicated to be understood in biological
terms. But during the 1990s, scientists learned a great deal of information
about the brain, raising hopes of treating diseases once thought incurable.
The public is invited to learn about strides being made in research
and treatment at UNMCs free Mini-Medical School four-part series titled,
All About the Brain, each Wednesday evening in October Oct. 4, 11,
18 and 25, from 7 to 9 p.m. (CDT) and 6 to 8 p.m. (MDT). UNMC researchers
will provide a basic understanding of the brain — how the brain develops,
how it ages and how the latest research at UNMC and across the nation has
translated into new therapies for brain disorders.
The series will be held in Omaha and transmitted live to Lincoln, Norfolk,
Grand Island, Kearney, North Platte and Scottsbluff (see details on last
page of news release). The satellite broadcast can be received by any facility
across Nebraska that has NebSat (Net 2) on TeleStar5 satellite downlink
capability. For the channel number, call UNMC at (402) 559-5190.
Through research, we are trying to unravel the complexity within the
brain with the ultimate goal to reduce the burden of diseases that affect
millions of people. said David Folks, M.D., chairman and professor of
the UNMC Department of Psychiatry. A complete understanding of what damages
and triggers brain cell death, as well as how the process is carried out,
will certainly lead to new treatments for many neurological disorders.
Dr. Folks said advances are being made in the understanding the nervous
system and this is beginning to pay off in the form of new treatments for
neurological problems such as spinal cord injury, acute stroke, multiple
sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.
UNMC Mini-Medical School dates, topics and presenters:
Oct. 4 The Brain
Brain Anatomy 101 — Learn the basic structure and function
of the human brain and the nervous system, William Thorell, M.D., UNMC
neurosurgery resident.
Beyond the Decade of the Brain Explore the history of treatments
for brain disorders and learn about research in neurotransmitters, molecular
genetics and brain imaging, David Folks, M.D., chairman and professor,
UNMC Department of Psychiatry.
Oct. 11 The Developing Brain
Mysteries of the Brain — Discover the environmental and genetic
factors that influence early brain development, G. Bradley Schaefer, M.D.,
UNMC professor of pediatrics and associate director, Munroe-Meyer Institute
at UNMC.
When the Wires Get Crossed Understand Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), how it is diagnosed and the importance of
early identification and the options for treatment, Chris Kratochvil, M.D.,
UNMC assistant professor of psychiatry and assistant director of the UNMC
Psychopharmacology Research Center.
Oct. 18 The Aging Brain
Where Did I Put My Keys? Recognize normal aging what to
expect and what to watch out for, Dennis McNeilly, Psy.D., UNMC assistant
professor of psychiatry.
Stopping the ThiefLearn about Alzheimers disease and what
innovative treatments are on the horizon, William Burke, M.D., UNMC professor
and vice-chairman for research and director of geriatric psychiatry.
Oct. 25 Stimulating the Brain
Putting the Brakes on Depression Discover innovative approaches
to the treatment of depression, Thomas Magnuson, M.D., UNMC assistant professor
of psychiatry.
Regenerating the Brain Find out how the central nervous
system repairs itself and the progress occurring in the area of nerve regeneration,
Annemarie Shibata, Ph.D., UNMC post-doctoral research associate, pathology/microbiology.
Anyone who attends even one Mini-Medical School session will receive
a UNMC Mini-Medical School diploma for attending. Seating is limited.
Call to register (see attached) or register through the internet at www.unmc.edu.
This is the 10th UNMC Mini-Medical School Series. Some previous topics
included: cancer, womens health, genetics, heart disease, geriatrics,
diabetes and respiratory systems.
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Its educational programs are responsible for training more health professionals
practicing in Nebraska than any other institution. Through its commitment
to research, education, outreach and patient care, UNMC has established
itself as one of the country’s leading centers for research in cancer,
genetics, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative diseases and arthritis.
During the past year, UNMCs research funding increased by 31 percent and
now exceeds $40 million, including more than $25 million in federal funding
from such sources as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science
Foundation, Department of Defense and Veterans Administration.
FREE UNMC Mini-Medical School Series
All About the Brain
Four consecutive Wednesdays, Oct. 4, 11, 18 & 25
7-9 p.m. CDT
6-8 p.m. MDT
Omaha
UNMC College of Nursing, Cooper Auditorium, 42nd Street and Dewey Ave.
To register, call (402) 559-4315 or via internet at www.unmc.edu
Sponsor: UNMC
Lincoln
UNMC College of Dentistry, 40th & Holdrege Streets, Room 11
To register, call (402) 472-3657 or via internet at www.unmc.edu
Sponsors: UNMC College of Nursing and UNMC College of Dentistry
Norfolk
Northeast Community College, Lifelong Learning Center, Suite D
(southwest corner of campus), 601 East Benjamin Ave.
To register, call (402) 370-4000 or via internet at www.unmc.edu
Sponsors: Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College
Grand Island
College Park, Fonner Park Room, 3180 W. Highway 34
To register, call (308) 385-5014 or via internet at www.unmc.edu
Sponsor: College Park Partners
Kearney
Rural Health Education Distance Learning Research Center
Communications Center Bldg., Room 241-242
University of Nebraska at Kearney, 1918 University Drive
To register, call (308) 865-8055 or (308) 865-8065 or via internet
at www.unmc.edu
Sponsor: UNMC College of Nursing and Rural Health Education Distance
Learning Research Center
North Platte
West Central Research and Extension Center Auditorium, West State Farm
Road & Hwy. 83
To register, call (308) 532-3611, ext. 167 or via internet at www.unmc.edu
Sponsor: the Nebraska Plains Higher Education Center at North Platte
Scottsbluff
UNMC College of Nursing, University Complex Panhandle Station
4502 Ave. I, Room 201
Call (308) 632-0410 or via internet at www.unmc.edu
Sponsor: UNMC College of Nursing West Nebraska Division