To mark World Parkinson’s Awareness Day next Tuesday (11 April), a free SciBar Health event is taking place from 7pm in central Cambridge, hosted by Cambridge British Science Association and Cambridge University Health Partners.
As healthcare advances and more people live longer, diseases of the brain are increasingly being seen as the next major medical challenge.
One of the areas where research is beginning to focus is on Parkinson's Disease, a progressive illness which affects the way people with the condition can talk, walk and write as well as think.
The event on Tuesday (11 April), taking place from 7pm at the Novi Espresso and Cocktail Bar on Regent Street, Cambridge, will involve two talks from experts in their fields:
- Professor Roger Barker sees and manages patients with Parkinson’s Disease as well as running a large research clinic. He will talk about what is the Disease - is it one disorder or several that look similar and what new therapies are emerging to treat it?
- Dr Nushan Gunawardana, is a neurology registrar at Addenbrooke's Hospital and will speak about what goes wrong in cells in Parkinson's Disease
Malcolm Lowe-Lauri, Executive Director at Cambridge University Health Partners, said: “The brain is an incredibly complex organ - it controls the way we move, when we laugh and tells us when to cry. It is also the part of our bodies which we know least about and as modern medicine and treatments help us to live longer, it is diseases of the brain which are now becoming the focus of medical research. Whilst developments have been made in some areas, the last significant drug discovery for Parkinson’s was over 50 years ago. For sufferers of the disease, we must be able to offer and do more which is why I am looking forward to hearing about the work of Professor Barker and Dr Gunawardana.”
Vasee Vinayagamoorthy, Co-chair of Cambridge British Science Association, said: "Although Parkinson's disease is not well understood yet, it is great to know that scientists and doctors are carrying out vital research into early detection and treatment of this condition, and to improve the lives of those who have it. Cambridge being a place for the curious, we are lucky to have great speakers and scientists who are enthusiastic about sharing what they know about the disease with the general public."
Entry is FREE and refreshments are available to purchase at the bar downstairs. Pre-book your place - limited tickets available on the door.
For more information and to book a ticket visit www.cuhp.org.uk/event/scibarhealth/2017-04-11
SciBar
British Science Association SciBar brings interesting, topical areas of science to the general public with scientific talks followed by lively discussion.
About Cambridge University Health Partners
Cambridge University Health Partners is one of six Academic Health Science Centres in England whose mission is to improve patient healthcare by bringing together the NHS, industry and academia. By inspiring and organising collaboration, CUHP aims to ensure patients reap the benefits of the world class research, clinicians and industry which are based at the Cambridge Biomedical Campus. The Partners are: University of Cambridge, Cambridge and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. For further information about CUHP’s work visit www.cuhp.org.uk or follow us on Twitter: @CUHPartners.
About the British Science Association
The British Science Association (BSA) believes that science should be part of – rather than set apart from – society and culture, and owned by the wider community. Our programmes encourage people of all ages and backgrounds to engage with science, become ambassadors for science, and ultimately to be empowered to challenge and influence British science – whether they work in science or not.
Established in 1831, the BSA is a registered charity that organises major initiatives across the UK including British Science Week, the British Science Festival, regional and local events, the CREST Awards and other programmes for young people in schools and colleges. The BSA organises specific activities for professional science communicators, including a specialist conference and training. For more information, please visit: www.britishscienceassociation.org
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For more information please contact Tony Taylorson on 01223 274659 or 07824 367401.
https://www.cambridgenetwork.co.uk/news/fighting-back-against-parkinsons-disease/
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