MEDIA ADVISORY - BRAIN MATTERS

Sparking student interest in epilepsy and neuroscience

LONDON, ON, Dec. 6 /CNW/ - Knowledge about seizures and epilepsy is low among Canadians, resulting in increased stigma for those living with the condition. Still, students are often naturally curious about the brain and how it functions, though sometimes learning about synapses and neurons seems abstract and complicated.

The Epilepsy Support Centre developed Brain Matters, a unit to work alongside Grade 12 academic-level biology using epilepsy to illustrate core principles of neuroscience, to increase knowledge about seizures among the general public and inspire future health care professionals. The Honourable Deb Matthews will be in attendance to help celebrate the launch of the Ontario Trillium Foundation-funded unit, which has seen success as a pilot program in four Ontario school boards, and is now being rolled out across the province.

What:	Brain Matters: An Introduction to Neuroscience launch
	Join us as we unveil the Grade 12 biology Brain Matters neuroscience unit Learn about the history and need for the unit, how the program works and the state of epilepsy in Ontario Receive a copy of the Brain Matters unit Tour Ontario's largest epilepsy monitoring unit at the University Hospital in London (will include photo and interview opportunities)
Who:	Speakers include
	The Honourable Deb Matthews, MPP London North Centre and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, Government of Ontario Dr. Suzanne Nurse, author of Brain Matters and education liaison, Epilepsy Support Centre, London, ON Dr. Jorge Burneo, editor of Brain Matters and associate professor of neurology, epidemiology and biostatistics, University of Western Ontario Mary Secco, executive director, Epilepsy Support Centre and vice-president, International Bureau for Epilepsy
When:	Friday, December 10, 2010	Presentations	9:30-10 a.m.
	9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.	Epilepsy unit tour*	10-10:30 a.m.
Where:	Auditorium B
	University Hospital
	London Health Sciences Centre
	339 Windermere Road
	London, ON

*Media wishing to attend the clinic tour must register in advance. Kindly note: Space is limited.

For further information:

For more information, and to register for the tour of the epilepsy monitoring unit, please contact:

Rachelle Wood
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 77642
[email protected]