UNE Graduate Students in Health Professions Learn From Brain Injury Experts

Portland : OR : USA | Mar 21, 2012 at 12:33 PM PDT

Source: PRWeb

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The University of New England has partnered with the Michael T. Spring Symposium that will bring together graduate students in all of UNE’s health professions to explore neuroscience discoveries and clinical practice. The daylong event will begin at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 5, 2012 and will be held on the Portland and Biddeford campuses. March 21, 2012

The symposium has been organized around a case study on Michael Goulet who endured a traumatic brain injury as a result of a snowmobile injury on February 15, 2003...Recovery included weeks in a coma, months of intensive rehabilitation, and years of further medical care. Subsequent to his recovery Michael developed a seizure disorder, and at the age of 13 he suffered from his first Grand Mal seizure two years post recovery. He had daily episodes of seizure activity from then on, despite continued care and medical treatment. In October 2010, Michael passed away from complications from his last Grand Mal seizure.

Michael Goulet’s father, Brad Goulet, mother, Lynda LeBlanc and sister, Danielle Goulet will participate in a roundtable discussion in the morning during the symposium...A review of the public health evidence on the topic of snowmobile injuries and discussion of the risks and benefits of various public policy options. Students will become familiar with a public health approach to this topic and the public policy options available.

Blood Brain Barrier Dysfunction in Migraine (Colin Willis, Ph.D.): Migraine is one of the world’s most disabling diseases with serious social and economic consequences, yet the cause(s) remains poorly understood. Further, overuse of triptan based medication used to treat chronic migraine can induce medication overuse headaches so representing a clinically challenging problem. We propose prolonged exposure to triptan medication may result in a transitory blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction increasing the potential for migraine-like pain behaviors. This session covers Dr. Willis’ research into migraine, regulation of BBB integrity and its effects on headache, and future directions.

When Neuroscience Comes Home: Translating Science to Caregiving and Daily Routine (Tesha Imperati, Director of Programs and Services, Connecticut Family Support Network and Karen Zrenda, Family Resource Program Coordinator, Yale-New Haven Children's Hospital): Living with and caring for a person with a neurological disorder or injury requires knowledge, skills and advocacy in all domains of daily routine. Participants in this session will learn to recognize family caregivers as key members of the interprofessional team...Houseknecht, B.S., M.S., Ph.D.): Brain imaging studies have shown that the practice of meditation alters brain function. To walk a labyrinth is to meditate, and such a practice can have healing properties for patients...TBI may be caused in part by Sensory Modulation Challenges, which are an over-interpretation by the brain of the seriousness of survival threats. The resulting behavioral and relationship issues can be explained and even self-treated.

Your Brain on ART (Artist Brady Nickerson): Experience the healing power of art in this hands-on workshop. Participants will learn the technique for Process Art – an “innovative, intuitive, feelings” based art adventure which improves and enhances the physical, mental and emotional well-being of individuals of all ages. Program; the Iris Network; State of Maine, Division For the Blind & Visually Impaired; NeuroRestorative; and Goodwill NeuroRehab Services at BaySide. Also, bicycle helmets have been donated to the event by Gorham Bike and Ski, Reynolds Motorsports and EMS.

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For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/3/prweb9313178.htm