March Brain Awareness Week 2023

Understanding the mysteries of how brains function normally and the processes that go awry in disease states and after injury is central to the neurological research ongoing at CÚRAM, the SFI Centre for Medical Devices at University of Galway.

Neurological disorders are increasingly recognized as one of the most prevalent disorders with high burden to the patients, their families, and society. Neurological disorders can include stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis.

Next week marks International Brain Awareness Week, a global campaign to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. Every March, researchers share resources and host events that illustrate the impact of brain science on everyday lives. 

CÚRAM has developed a range of resources on brain health and neurology research that are freely available to access.

‘Feats of Modest Valour’ is a documentary film that investigates three individuals’ challenging physical reality of living with Parkinson’s Disease. The film features the EU funded BrainMatTrain project, led by Dr Eilis Dowd, which is investigating novel biomaterials-based treatments for Parkinson’s Disease that could potentially halt or even cure the devastating disease. See full film here

‘A Tiny Spark’ focuses on research being led by Dr Karen Doyle, which involves analysis of removed blood clots to see what information they may yield. This is the first study of its kind in the world and is an international collaborative study between University of Galway, hospital partners in Beaumont Hospital and throughout Europe and the Mayo Clinic, USA. See full film here

Finally, ‘The Effects of Exercise on the Brain’ provides information on how certain exercises create new neural pathways in the brain. Available here

To find these resources, visit our website at www.curamdevicesengage.ie