Neuroscience 2010 Press Program and Live Streaming Announced
Actress Glenn Close to deliver special address on ending stigma of mental illness
WASHINGTON — New research findings on the brain, nervous system, and related disorders will be presented in 11 press conferences at Neuroscience 2010 in San Diego, Nov. 13–17. Among the findings to be presented are brain-machine interfaces that allow people to regain function lost to injury or disease; research showing that adolescent brains are particularly vulnerable; and new diagnostic tools for the detection of Alzheimer’s disease.
Neuroscience 2010, the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience (SfN), is the world’s largest source of emerging news on brain science and health. More than 31,000 neuroscientists from around the world are expected to gather for this year’s event. Neuroscience 2010 hosts a working press room and provides complimentary registration to reporters covering the event. For the first time, press conferences will be Webcast live and available remotely to credentialed reporters.
Actress and advocate Glenn Close, co-founder of BringChange2Mind.org, will speak about erasing the stigma of mental illness during the annual “Dialogues between Neuroscience and Society” lecture. Close will address the crucial importance of support and acceptance for those living with mental illness, and the role of research in understanding and treating mental disorders.
Press events will be held Nov. 14–16 and streamed live to registered media. Topics include:
Brain-Machine Connections — Scientific advances allow sophisticated communications between the human brain and external devices. Clinical trials show participants can control onscreen cursors by thoughts, walk after paralysis, and operate robotic arms. How might machines continue to help brain treatment and recovery?
Teen Vulnerability, a Brain at Risk — Adolescents are uniquely susceptible to drug abuse. New research shows how adolescent exposure to adverse conditions and addictive drugs impair the brain and behavior during this critical developmental stage and into adulthood.
Oxytocin: It’s More Than the “Love Hormone” — Oxytocin is key to bringing people together and is associated with empathy and trust. But the hormone may do even more. Recent studies explore how it influences charitable donations, sways responses to advertising, and acts as a buffer for anxiety and stress.
Navigating the Brain and Virtual Reality — Researchers are using new tools inspired by video games to investigate how the brain senses and responds to our surroundings. What real-life therapies might emerge from the virtual world?
Depression: New Paths to Treatment — Depression is among the leading causes of disability worldwide. Landmark neuroscience research is providing novel paths to therapies and treatment. What are the immediate and long-term prospects for new therapies?
Spotting and Treating Alzheimer’s — Better diagnostic techniques are necessary to identify the disease at earlier, potentially more treatable stages. Neuroscience is making real advances in detecting and treating Alzheimer’s disease.
Additional press conference topics are:
- Obesity and the Brain
- Personal Accountability: Behavior and Health
- Hearing Colors, Seeing Sounds, and Feeling Blue
- Speak Your Mind: Language and the Brain
- Prenatal Risk Factors
Other meeting events highlight the interplay between brain research and global culture, politics, and society:
- Public Symposium — “Autism: Progress and Prospects” will provide an overview of the research progress made in Autism.
- Social Issues Roundtable — “Child Poverty and Human Capital” will examine the impact of childhood poverty on development, as well as the economic and policy implications of this new knowledge.
- The Public Advocacy Forum will address the current and future discoveries of military research, and how emerging knowledge can be applied to address broader civilian health issues, including epilepsy, depression, PTSD, and brain injury.
- Rep. Patrick Kennedy (D-R.I.), a champion for mental health research, will discuss his vision for a new campaign dedicated to veteran mental health and wellness.
For more information:
- Neuroscience 2010 media registration available at www.sfn.org/pressroom
- Complete program and featured attendees available at www.sfn.org/am2010
