Get Ready To Celebrate

Brain Awareness Week March 12 - 18 will soon be upon us. We ahould be aware of our brains because without brains we wouldn't be aware of our brains. Cause enough to celebrate.

Brain Awareness Week, 12 - 18 March 2007, is an international effort organized by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to advance public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. The Dana Alliance is joined in the campaign by partners in the United States and around the world, including medical and research organizations; patient advocacy groups; the National Institutes of Health, and other government agencies; service groups; hospitals and universities; K-12 schools; and professional organizations.

For scientists, it is an opportunity to let people know what is being done to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, schizophrenia and depression, which affect the lives of millions of people.

For schools, charities, hospitals - and even arts organizations - it is the chance to reveal some of the mysteries of the brain.

Around the world, hundreds of public events to inspire interest in the brain are staged as part of Brain Awareness Week, to draw attention to what is being accomplished in scientific laboratories, and provide information about the brain that everyone can understand.

My main interest is not cognition. I'm interested in brain malfunctions such as PTSD and schizophrenia. For both of those genetics accounts for about 1/2 of the cause. The other half for PTSD is trauma. Especially emotional trauma. For schizophrenia the trigger is likely to be the same.

So there you have it, a celebration and a few easily understood facts. Happy Brain Week.