Can we slow down the ageing process in our brains? What is gene therapy and could it revolutionize how we treat neurological conditions? To explore these questions and more, The Neuro and the CHUM have organized Minding your Brain, a day for patients, caregivers and the public on Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The top experts in Montreal will share their best advice about maintaining brain health, facing challenges with resilience, and how groundbreaking treatments on the horizon will change neurological care.
Advice for patients and caregivers
This event is one of several organized as part of Amazing Brain Week which invites the public to explore the fascinating inner workings of the brain this October, as thousands of neurologists from around the world will convene in Montreal for the World Congress of Neurology.
“Minding your Brain is a special event for the people who really are the most concerned by the advances being discussed at the World Congress – that is patients, caregivers and their families,” explains Dr. Guy Rouleau, director of The Neuro and president of the XXVI World Congress of Neurology. “We know that living with a neurological condition – or being a caregiver to someone who is – can be a tremendous challenge. That’s why we made it a point of inviting specialists to share strategies to help build resilience and acceptance in the face of difficult circumstances,” Dr. Rouleau says.
Update on the latest research
Over the past five years, neurological research has advanced by leaps and bounds. At Minding your Brain, experts in the field will address how new discoveries in gene therapy and artificial intelligence are helping those with neuromuscular conditions or Parkinson’s, what other changes could be on the horizon.
Dr. Etienne de Villers-Sidani, a cognitive neurologist from The Neuro, who has undertaken extensive research in brain training will be speaking about evidence-backed ways to keep your brain fit. Lana McGeary, a spiritual care counselor at The Neuro’s will be share powerful ways that flexible mindsets and mind openness can help face loss and change with greater acceptance. And a young stroke patient will speak about her experience with recovery and redesigning your path in the face of illness.
The day will run from 10 to 4pm in two rooms at the Palais des Congrès. Tarah Schwartz from CJAD Health Matters will be hosting the day of talks in English, and Chantal Srivastava, a journalist at Radio-Canada will host the talks in French.
“Patient support organizations are essential to what we want to offer patients and the community as part of this day. We are very pleased that several organizations along with staff from The Neuro’s Patient Resource Centre will be on site to speak to participants about the support they can offer to those with neurological conditions,” says Dr. Rouleau.
To read the full summaries of topics covered and to register, visit www.amazingbrainweek.ca/patients.
