Brain Awareness Week

March 16th

Today begins the 14th annual celebration of Brain Awareness Week (BAW), an international campaign founded and coordinated by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and its sister organization, the European Dana Alliance for the Brain.  Aligned with universities, hospitals, patient groups, government agencies, schools, service organizations, and professional associations from around the world, the week is committed to advancing public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. 

Confident Student is proud to partner with this campaign, raising awareness here in Baltimore. 

BRAIN BYTE:  Did you know?    
Dehydration compromises your mental alertness and ability.

Pediatricians tell parents repeatedly to allow their children to drink as much water as they need.  And yet adults themselves do not follow such simple, yet vital advice.  Studies support that most people are permanently partially dehydrated.  The brain -- being 85% water -- cannot tolerate even a 5% level of dehydration without impaired function.  In a dehydrated state, the brain simply cannot perform at its optimum capacity and potential, affecting basic functions such as concentration and mental alertness. In addition, water makes up 83% of the blood, and its decrease affects the delivery of nutrients and removal of toxins from your brain further limiting its effectiveness.  A study conducted by Trevor Brocklebank at Leeds University, UK, revealed that the most successful school children were those who drink up to eight glasses (or 2 liters) of water a day.

NEED MORE NEUROSCIENCE?
Visit http://www.sfn.org/index.cfm?pagename=brainfacts
for Brain Facts: A Primer on the Brain and Nervous System. 

Brain Facts is a 74-page primer on the brain and nervous system, published by SfN. as an introduction to neuroscience.  Brain Facts is also a valuable educational resource used by high school teachers and students.  The 2008 edition updates all sections and includes new information on brain development, learning and memory, language, neurological and psychiatric illnesses, potential therapies, and more.

NEUROSCIENCE FOR KIDS
Visit:  http://faculty.washington.edu/chudler/neurok.html

More than offering “just the facts” about how the brain works, this is a fun site for kids to learn more about what a neuroscientist does, important women in the neuroscience world, milestones in neuroscience research, and even look at when neuroscience was featured on a US postal stamp.  Kids also can learn interesting things like the effects of chocolate and music on the brain, why you can recognize a friendly face and how your brain really is like a computer.  The site also has cool findings like brain screensavers, email postcards and a variety of brain puzzlers and word searches.  It’s a great find for a student’s inquiring mind!