20 April 2009

Science Centre to Host Alzheimer's Disease Debate

A free public debate on Alzheimer's disease, featuring leading researchers from the University of Dundee who are investigating the disease, will be held at Sensation science centre in Dundee on Tuesday 28th April.

The event will offer the public an excellent opportunity to listen and pose questions to three of the most highly respected researchers in different fields related to Alzheimer's disease:

* Find out how your brain works and how Dr Calum Sutherland (Biomedical Research Institute, Ninewells Hospital) is helping to understand the causes of Alzheimer's disease. Dr Sutherland will also speak about how lifestyle can affect brain function and development of dementia.

* Speak to Prof Tim Kelly (Chair of Social Work) about the latest research on the social care of people who suffer from dementia. Who cares for their carers?

* Ask Dr Norman Alm from the School of Computing, how computers may help those suffering from dementia.

Questions can be submitted to the researchers in advance of the debate (see below).

Alzheimer's disease affects more than 1 in 70 people in Dundee, and around 33,000 people across Scotland. Alzheimer’s slowly and progressively destroys brain cells and their connections, which affects how an individual copes with everyday tasks.

The public debate is being held as part of an ongoing series events at Sensation aimed at discovering how the brain works and focuses on how research at the University of Dundee is shedding new light on how some diseases affect the brain.

Dr Jon Urch one of the event organisers commented, 'This is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about Alzheimer’s disease, which affects over 11,000 people in the Dundee and Tayside area. In front of a public audience, some of the leading researchers in the country will discuss their latest work and ideas on how their research may one day help combat the disease.'

The event starts at 6.30pm with doors open from 6 pm. Admission is free. There is limited seating for 70 visitors. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.

Questions for the speakers would be very welcome in advance. If you would like to submit a question to the speakers in advance of the event please contact Jon Urch at RevealingResearch@dundee.ac.uk or phone him on 01382 386669.

This event is being co-ordinated by Revealing Research at Sensation and the University of Dundee and has been funded by a Science Engagement Grant from the Scottish Government and the Mathew Trust.

For more information please visit www.sensation.org.uk/Visitors/Revealing-Research_260.html.

CONTACT:

UNIVERSITY OF DUNDEE - Roddy Isles, Head of Press - Tel: 01382 384910, e-mail: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk.

or Dr Jon Urch, Head of Revealing Research on 01382 386669 or e-mail J.Urch@dundee.ac.uk.

SENSATION - Alan Martin, Tel: 868604 E-mail: alan.martin@sensation.org.uk.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk