Save The Date! Brain Awareness Night To Be Held On March 24, 2011!

In collaboration with The Urban Child Institute, The Neuroscience Institute of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center will feature nationally recognized neuroscience professionals during a Brain Awareness Week presentation March 24 to promote brain science and positive behaviors that enhance brain development in early childhood. The keynote speaker for this event is K.J.S. Anand, a St. Jude Endowed Chair for Critical Care Medicine and a Professor of Pediatrics, Anesthesiology, & Neurobiology at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center. His presentation is entitled 'Consciousness, Pain & Stress in Early Life: How It Shapes Who We Are & What We Become.' A brief summary follows: The organization of human consciousness, coupled with sensory experiences, thoughts, memories, and emotions, is what makes us uniquely human - in essence, who we are. Most natural phenomena exist if they are observed, directly or indirectly, by human consciousness. Yet, using tools currently available to us, it is nearly impossible to conclusively prove the existence of consciousness itself. Pain is perhaps the earliest sensation to develop, occurs only in sentient beings, and appears to be inextricably linked with embodied consciousness. Exposures to pain in early life, understandably therefore, have a lasting impact on brain development and behavior. Early life experiences, buried deep in the subconscious/unconscious psyche, have drastic consequences on our ability to perceive pain, form relationships, develop cognitive abilities, respond to stressful circumstances, or develop adaptive behaviors - essentially making us who we are. This lecture proposes a bond between pain and consciousness, looking at it from the vantage point of early human development. Dr. Matt Ennis will provide introductory remarks. This presentation is intended for diverse audiences, including day care teachers and providers, schoolteachers, nurses, allied health care providers, parents, university faculty and undergraduate and graduate students. This free event is open to the public. The event will be held at The Urban Child Institute (600 Jefferson Avenue, Memphis, TN 38105) at 6:30 pm on March 24, 2011. Professional training hours (CEUs) will be provided. Refreshments will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 pm.