Brain Day

Brain Day Nelson is brought to you by the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand as part of 2012 Annual Appeal.

10:30am-11:30am - Dr Jon Simcock - Brain disorders: Progress and prospects.
There are more than 1,100 known neurological disorders. Your nervous system is made up of the brain, spinal cord and nerves throughout your body: together they control all the workings of the body.
When something goes wrong with a part of your nervous system, you can experience difficulty moving, speaking, swallowing, breathing or learning. You can also have problems with your memory, senses or mood. In this lecture, the Neurological Foundation's Medical Advisor, neurologist Dr Jon Simcock, will speak about the latest progress in the understanding of brain disorders. He will also discuss how the 21st century has introduced exciting new neurological investigation techniques, paving the way for enhanced diagnosis and treatment.

Dr Jon Simcock has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a neurologist. He was born in Dunedin and educated at New Plymouth Boy's High School, and graduated from the Otago School of Medicine in 1960. He became a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 1964 and completed his specialist training as a neurologist at the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases, Queens Square, London, in 1968. He then took up a position at Auckland Hospital, also conducting neurology clinics at Northland and Taranaki Base Hospitals. He retired from his full-time public hospital positions in 2002 but continues in private practice and occasional temporary duties at various hospitals in the North Island. Dr Simcock was on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Neurological Foundation for several years and became the Foundation's Medical Advisor in 1994.

11:45am-12:15pm - Stroke Foundation Southern Region - 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).

12:30pm-1:30pm - Dr Suzanne Ackerley - 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 '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 the principles of how this therapy works, and the real hope that this approach holds for future rehabilitation strategies for stroke patients.

Displays and information:
Various community support groups and the Neurological Foundation will have staff present at information stands during the day - feel free to chat with staff before and after lectures.

No bookings required to attend this event. Please arrive early to secure your seating - our key speakers have attracted large numbers at past events.

For further information, please phone 0508 BRAINS (0508 272 467) or email info@neurological.org.nz