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Archives for March 2015

International Brain Week

March 19, 2015 By Cath Gilmour

March 18, 2015

Professor Michael Nilsson
Professor Michael Nilsson

Enriched environments – including social interaction, music, movement, keeping the mind active, visual stimulation and good food – offer people who have suffered stroke or brain trauma the chance to forge new neural connections and brain cells, dramatically improving recovery.

Dr Andrew Clarkson and Prof Michael Nilsson told the audience of over 80, from high school students to senior citizens, that research with mice, rats and people all pointed to significant plasticity of the brain and opportunity to recover function. But hospitals and institutions were ‘de-enriched’ environments, with minimal stimulation and social interaction “and then we wonder why people don’t get better.”

Dr Andrew Clarkson
Dr Andrew Clarkson

Using the analogy of the Christchurch earthquake, they said scientists did not yet know exactly how the “recovery crew” worked after brain damage. And many did not yet acknowledge that men and women required different treatment because of the impact of the different sex hormones on the brain and drug interactions with it.

Physical, social and cognitive stimulation are known to be the pillars of enriched environment stimulation. The first three months’ rehabilitation are the most vital.

Culture – art, music and dance – also acted in a hugely positive way on our central nervous system and brain, they said. “Music and rhythm – nothing activates the brain quite like it. It liberates so many good substances.”

A research programme Prof Nilsson has been involved with in Spain for the past nine years has shown through its work with more than 300 patients the importance of an enriched environment and outdoors activity on brain recovery.

Medical institutions and governments were decades behind the research on this – and the huge cost of implementing such programmes on a large scale would mean some resistance. Much could still be done at the community and individual level, however.
In the future, rehabilitation for stroke, dementia and brain trauma sufferers should be highly individualised, in response to their particular brain, cultural and body make up – rather than the generic and minimalist approach now undertaken.

Research with 1.2 million Swedish military conscripts also showed that higher physical fitness levels at age 18 were highly correlated with higher IQ and lower dementia, stroke and depression incidents in later life. Physical activity levels at this age set up central nervous system resiliency for the rest of an individual’s life, they said.

Filed Under: Reviews

March update

March 18, 2015 By masonaj

CATALYST is looking forward to a year full of rich discussion and interesting learning – there’s certainly no shortage of big issues! Our first event on February 9 was a packed and fascinating presentation by Professor Bill Harris, bringing his professional and personal perspective on Syria and Islamic State to the Wakatipu. You can see and read more about his presentation on the Reviews page.

CATALYST is all about bringing intellectual stimulation to the Wakatipu – providing locals and visitors with the opportunity for mental as well as adrenal challenge. We collaborate with learning institutes and anyone else who can provide such opportunities to do so. We believe a lot of this could come from people who already live here and their visitors.

SO – we would love to hear from you if you or your visitors would be happy to share expertise and knowledge about a topic that others might find fascinating, challenging, mind opening… all those good things. It will only take an hour or two …and provides the chance to meet and talk with other interesting and interested people! Any time you have an idea or opportunity, please go to our Get Involved page and get in touch with us.

During March and April, we have two International Brain Week events, TEDx Queenstown and a couple of Up Front forums. Wanaka has the Outspoken Festival (all about the performing word) and Festival of Colour. And Glenorchy’s Cozy Talks series continues.  Take a look at our coming events page for more details.

We are also organising a poetry workshop and an evening featuring two local filmmakers and their experiences in the Middle East – details TBC…

So make sure you sign up to our ‘Early Warning System’ database so that you get alerted when such opportunities arise.

Here’s to thinking…

The Catalyst team

Filed Under: News

Neurological Foundation Public Lecture

March 10, 2015 By Cath Gilmour

March 9, 2015

Wakatipu High School, visit by Professor of Neurosurgery Otago University Professor Dirk de Ridder, New Zealand’s first professor of neurosurgery.  Catalyst Trust facilitated his visit and lecture on the Brain/Dream link, attended by some the 70 students and staff.  He explained his complex research findings, linking neuroscience, philosophy, religion, art and sport.

Filed Under: Reviews

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