Brain awareness week

The Brain Health Research Centre has partnered with the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand, Brain Research New Zealand and the Otago Museum to bring you a variety of exciting talks, discussions and workshops. All the events are free, and only two require bookings made in advance.

Tuesday 6th March

Alumni, books and conversation with Otago lecturers - Musicophilia
Professor David Bilkey, Brain Health Research Centre
6.30pm for 7pm start, University Bookshop, 378 Great King St
From Oliver Sacks, the world renowned best-selling author of Awakenings, comes Musicophilia a book about the human relationship with music; how it can move us, haunt us, and heal us.
Come along to this special brain week talk and hear Professor David Bilkey, a neuroscientist from the University of Otago, discuss the book and talk about how the brain responds to music.
RSVP to events@unibooks.co.nz

Wednesday 7th March

Successful aging: Lessons learnt from LiLACS NZ
Prof Ngaire Kerse, Brain Research New Zealand
11am-12pm, Community House, 301 Moray Place, Dunedin
For the past seven years Professor Ngaire Kerse has run the ‘Life and Living in Advanced Age: Cohort Study’, also known as LiLACS NZ (Te Puāwaitanga o Ngā Tapuwae Kia Ora Tonu). The study aims to help people to better plan for their health and wellbeing in later life, to allow the older population of New Zealand to share their wisdom with future generations, and to inform the development of local and national policies to benefit older people.

Working with people with mild cognitive impairment: The Ronnie Gardiner method workshop
Prof Ngaire Kerse, Brain Research New Zealand
1pm - 3pm, Age Concern, 26 Bath St, Dunedin
Two of the major factors contributing to falls are dementia and physical frailty. The Ronnie Gardiner Method, developed by jazz musician Ronnie Gardiner, address them both. In this free workshop Professor Ngaire Kerse will take you through the method and learn how to do it for yourself. The workshop is aimed at those with MCI and their families and carers. This will involve movement so make sure you are wearing loose clothing and sensible shoes.
Booking essential: contact Jane Reynolds 479-4066 or bhrc@otago.ac.nz

Living to 100 with all your marbles
Panel discussion with Dr Liana Machado, Prof Cliff Abraham, Prof Ngaire Kerse, moderated by Associate Prof Christine Jasoni
5:30pm Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum
We’re now living longer than ever before, but as medicine keeps our bodies healthy for longer, can we do the same for our minds? In this panel discussion our experts will share what they have learned about the ageing brain, and what we can all do to live to 100 with our marbles intact!

Thursday 8th March

Brain on display
11am - 2pm, Upper Octagon
The Brain Health Research Centre's giant Inflatable Brain will be on display in the Upper Octagon accompanied by a number of community brain agencies.

Brain tools from the future: genes, machines and viruses
Prof Allan Herbison, Prof John Reynolds, and Dr Louise Parr-Brownlie, moderated by Associate Prof Christine Jasoni
5:30pm Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum
In this panel discussion our group of experts will explain and discuss the futuristic seeming technologies that are now becoming available to scientists. Our researchers will cover revolutionary new tools for brain research and treatment, including: CRISPR, neuromodulation, brain implants, and optogenetics.

Friday 9th March

Brain 101: a users guide
Dr Blake Porter, Brain Health Research Centre
1.30-2.30pm, Community House, 301 Moray Place, Dunedin
What even is a brain? Why do we need it? What is it made of? And why do people keep telling me to take care of it? There’s a lot going on inside your head: it’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s honestly a little gross to look at.

Saturday 10th March

Your brain: the secrets that matter
10am-5pm, Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum
Brain Day at the Museum with the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand and the Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago
For a list of Brain Day lectures and further information, see the event here.

Meanwhile in the Atrium at Otago Museum:
All Day
If you’re between talks, have some questions, or just want to learn more about the brain, come up to the atrium during Brain Day. The Brain Health Research Centre’s giant inflatable brain will be on display, with exhibits from the University of Otago’s Anatomy Museum, activities on Science Discovery ipads, human/computer interfaces, and furry neurons you can make yourself! It’s fun for the whole family and a great way to learn more about what exactly is going on inside your head.

Supersize your brain - how to get better at anything
Dr Owen Jones (Barclay Theatre)
11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm

Sunday 11th March

The importance of social engagement in ageing
(all activities in the Hutton Theatre, Otago Museum, sponsored by Brain Health Research Centre, Brain Research New Zealand and Otago Museum)

• 12pm free light lunch courtesy of Collaboration of Ageing Research Excellence (CARE)
• 1pm A screening of the movie Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont, after which there will be a discussion about themes arising from the movie led by CARE director Associate Prof Debra Waters and psychogeriatrician Associate Prof Yoram Barak (Dunedin School of Medicine)
• 3.30pm How to optimise Brain Health
  Professor Ted Ruffman (Dept of Psychology)
  Healthy aging is associated with some decline in cognition and social understanding. Such changes are linked to naturally occurring changes in the brain involving reductions in brain volume or neurotransmitters. Yet, at the same time, research has shown that there are ways to offset or reduce such declines.
• 4.30pm - 5pm Entertainment from “Dunedin 60+ Club” Entertainers Group