University of Manitoba professors, brain experts discuss how concussions affect the brain

University of ManitobaMar 20 2015

University of Manitoba professors and brain experts are gathering at McNally Robinson Booksellers on March 18 to have a lively, interactive panel discussion on how concussions affect the brain.

The management and long-term consequences of concussions has become a major issue in professional sports (a 24-year-old just retired from the NFL because of the risks). The number of concussions in amateur sports is also on the rise, particularly among children. This raises serious concerns for players, coaches, and parents.

Join our expert panel to learn how concussions affect the brain, the risks posed by these injuries, and the latest research aimed at preventing and treating them.

The free public lecture is part of the Canadian Institutes of Health Research's Café Scientifique series. It offers a relaxed atmosphere for medical specialists to talk about their work and answer questions members of the community have.

What: Panel discussion on how concussions affect the brain
When: Wednesday, March 18, 7 p.m.
Where: McNally Robinson Booksellers, Grant Park Mall, 1120 Grant Ave., Winnipeg

PANELISTS

The panelists this evening are:

• Michael Ellis (Medical Director, Pan Am Concussion Program; Depts. of Surgery & Pediatrics, Division of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba; Co-Director, Canada North Concussion Network; Scientist, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba)


• Tammy Ivanco (Associate Professor, Psychology, Faculty of Arts)


• Jeffrey Leiter (Assistant Professor Depts. of Human Anatomy & Cell Science, Surgery, and Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba; Albrechtsen Research Chair, Pan Am Clinic Foundation)


• Kelly Russell (Assistant Professor, Pediatrics & Child Health, College of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba; Scientist, Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba)


• The moderator is Benedict Albensi (Associate Professor, Pharmacology & Therapeutics, College of Medicine,Faculty of Health Sciences; Principal Investigator, Division of Neurodegenerative Disorders, St-Boniface Hospital Research)