- Neuro-All - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

TWO Upcoming MNN Seminars: Mar. 31 @ 9am and Apr. 6 @ 3pm
by MNN Networking 29 Mar '17

29 Mar '17

S E M I N A R & V I S I T I N G S P E A K E R S E R I E S D AT E Friday, March 31, 2017 9:00AM L O C AT I O N PX236/238 PsychHealth Building S P E A K E R Tiina M. Kauppinen, Ph.D. <http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/units/pharmacology/f aculty_members/7919.html> Assistant Professor - Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Manitoba Principal Investigator Neuroscience Research Program, Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine TOPIC: Exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus induces cognitive changes in offspring My research lab studies the role of microglia and neuroinflammation in central nervous system disorders. Microglia are the resident immune cells of the central nervous system and believed to drive neuroinflammation, the nervous system-specific inflammatory-like responses to insult. Inflammatory responses are meant to protect tissue from pathogens and promote recovery/healing, however, they can generate environment that promotes neurodegeneration and jeopardize neurogenesis and interferes with development and maintenance of neuronal networks. One of our projects investigates how chronic inflammation induced by gestational diabetes mellitus affects offspring brain development and their cognitive function upon early adulthood. We utilize in vivo and in vitro models, and molecular biology tools to dissect how gestational diabetes induced neuroinflammation and how postnatal diet could affect neurocognitive development. The overall goals of my research program are to 1) understand how microglial functions affect neurodegeneration, neurogenesis and neuronal functions; 2) establish approaches to modulate microglial responses towards phenotype that supports brain health; and 3) develop new therapeutic strategies with multiple disease relevance. The project has been funded by Childrens Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, Research Manitoba, Manitoba Health Research Council and Health Sciences Centre Foundation. S E M I N A R & V I S I T I N G S P E A K E R S E R I E S D AT E Thursday, April 6th, 2017 3:00PM LO C AT I O N Theatre C S P E A K E R Dr. Jeffrey Kleim Associate Director School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering Arizona State University TOPIC: Neural Plasticity and Neurorehabilitation: Encouraging the Brain to Change ABSTRACT: The capacity for the nervous system to structurally and functionally adapt (neural plasticity) has been described for more than a century. Decades of neuroanatomical, neurophysiological and molecular studies have revealed that neural plasticity is an evolutionarily conserved, fundamental property of all nervous tissue. It is critical for maintaining normal brain function and yet can also manifest into various forms of brain dysfunction. While we still do not fully understand the complexity of the human nervous system, its response to disease/injury and capacity for recovery, treatments designed to harness endogenous neural plasticity to overcome neurological impairment continue to emerge. Specifically, the characterization of key behavioral and neurobiological signals that drive neural plasticity, in combination with advances in biomedical engineering, regenerative medicine and genomics, have created opportunities to develop novel therapeutic interventions. Evidence from both animal and clinical studies will be presented that demonstrate how modulating specific elements of motor rehabilitation can enhance functional outcome and cortical reorganization after stroke. Further, the viability of many adjuvant therapies for augmenting neural plasticity to enhance the impact of motor rehabilitation will be presented. For more information contact: Eftekhar Eftekharpour, Visiting Speaker & Seminar Series Coordinator T: 204.789.3214 E: eftekhar.eftekharpour(a)umanitoba.ca <mailto:eftekhar.eftekharpour@umanitoba.ca> Kelly Jorundson Coordinator, Membership & Operations Manitoba Neuroscience Network Email: kjorund(a)sbrc.ca <mailto:kjorund@sbrc.ca> Tel: 204.235.3939 Fax: 204.237.4092 St. Boniface Hospital Albrechtsen Research Centre Room R4046 - 351 Taché Avenue, Winnipeg, MB R2H 2A6 CANADA ****************************************** <http://www.manitobaneuroscience.ca/> <https://www.facebook.com/manitobaneuroscience/?fref=ts> <https://www.instagram.com/manitobaneuroscience/> <https://twitter.com/manitobaneuro>

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Brain Awareness Week 2017 - Thank you!
by outreach＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 24 Mar '17

24 Mar '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 Hello everyone, At this time, I would like to extend my deepest thanks to all of the volunteers who made our Brain Awareness Week events such a success this year. By sharing their time and expertise, these individuals have made tremendous contributions to the MNNs mission of advancing public awareness of neuroscience in our community. I would especially like to acknowledge Crystal Acosta, PhD student with Drs. Hope and Chris Anderson, who has worked tirelessly to promote and document every one of our events on social media. As a result of her efforts and enthusiasm, our message has reached more people than ever before. Thank you Crystal! Here are the faculty and trainees who contributed to this years events: Winnipeg Brain Bee Faculty Dr. Barb Shay Dr. Katinka Stecina Dr. Soheila Karimi Dr. Jun-Feng Wang Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui Dr. Sabine Hombach-Klonisch Trainees Crystal Acosta (Anderson lab) Scott Dyck (Karimi lab) Chris Hart (Karimi lab) Dr. Sarah Chen (Stecina lab) Shreya Dhume (Siddiqui lab) Benyamin Karimi (Siddiqui lab) Cristen Hamed (MPT student) Carly McLeod (MPT student) Randi Marshall (MPT student) Café Scientifique Moderator Dr. Tom Klonisch Panelists Dr. Tamra Ogilvie Dr. Sachin Katyal Dr. Marshall Pitz Neurocraft panel discussion (in partnership with the Manitoba Craft Council) Panelists Dr. Tabrez Siddiqui Dr. Melanie Martin Dr. Mike Jackson Thank you once again to everyone who took part, and to all of you for supporting the MNN and our outreach activities. We look forward to making our events even bigger and better next year! Best wishes, Sari Sari S. Hannila, PhD Director of Outreach, Manitoba Neuroscience Network cid:image004.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00

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Neurocraft - now closed
by outreach＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 21 Mar '17

21 Mar '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 Hello everyone, It is with great sadness that I inform you that we have had to close our Neurocraft show two weeks early. As some of you may have already seen on the CBC, the show was vandalized on Saturday and two pieces were damaged beyond repair. Other pieces were also damaged, but not irreparably. As you can imagine, this was very distressing for the artists, and yesterday, we decided to close the show to ensure the safety of the remaining pieces. We knew that there was a risk associated with holding the show in a public space, but we also felt that it was very important to make both art and science accessible to all. While the last few days have been unpleasant, it should not detract from the fact that we have had an incredible response to the show over the last two weeks. I also want to assure you that this is not the end for Neurocraft! We still have our exhibition in Montreal to look forward to in May, and I hope that all of you attending the CAN meeting will have a chance to see the pieces and attend our reception at the Visual Voice gallery. We are also pursuing opportunities to hold additional shows here in Winnipeg in the near future. Finally, we still have the John Buhler atrium for the next two weeks, and MCC and I are now creating a new installation for the remaining time - one that will give people a chance to reflect on the importance of art and science in their lives. You will all have the opportunity to participate in this one. Stay tuned. Best wishes, Sari Sari S. Hannila, PhD Director of Outreach, Manitoba Neuroscience Network cid:image004.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00

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Global news appearance for effects of ethanol - anyone?
by Chris Anderson 16 Mar '17

16 Mar '17

Hi All, I'm looking for an expert on the physiological effects of ethanol to potentially appear on camera in a Global News interview today (10 min). If anyone is interested, please let me know. Thanks. Chris ******************************************************** Chris M. Anderson, PhD Professor of Pharmacology and Director, Neuroscience Research Program Kleysen Institute for Advanced Medicine Health Sciences Centre and University of Manitoba T: 204-318-2565 E: chris.anderson(a)umanitoba.ca

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Neurocraft workshop - Friday, March 17th
by outreach＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 13 Mar '17

13 Mar '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 Happy Brain Awareness Week everyone! We hope to see you at Dr. Diatchenko's talk today (1 pm, Theatre B) and at our other events throughout the week. One of those events is our craft workshop with local bookbinder and Neurocraft artist Ann Stinner, which will be held Friday, March 17th in the Brodie Centre atrium. All are welcome to attend - faculty, staff, and students - but there are only 12 spots available! This invitation is going out to the entire Rady Faculty of Health Sciences today, so to reserve your spot, send an email to outreach(a)manitobaneuroscience.ca Follow our Twitter and Instagram accounts for more updates and photos throughout the week! cid:image004.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00

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REMINDER - Seminar: Katinka Stecina | Friday Mar 10 @ 12:00 noon
by networking＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 09 Mar '17

09 Mar '17

Pharmacology and Therapeutics Seminar Series Date: Friday, March 10, 2017 Time: 12:00 Noon Location: Basic Medical Sciences 626 Dr. Katinka Stecina <http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/health_sciences/medicine/units/physiology/con tacts/Stecina.html> Assistant Professor Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology University of Manitoba Topic: Rodent "in vivo" electrophysiology to assess (and boost) spinal neural contribution to the recovery of motor and sensory function. Research Focus: In order to re-generate spinal neuronal networks, their function in a healthy state needs to be understood. The neurons within the spinal cord are a complex, plastic group of cells which respond to sensory stimuli and can be "re-configured" - in fact, they are constantly being re-configures throughout our life - much like our brain. Re-connecting the brain cells and the spinal cord cells is important, but neurons will have to re-establish connectivity within each other in a way that is functional. How do spinal neuronal circuits function? How are they built for function? - are the central questions of my research. The central nervous system processes sensory input and incorporates our sensations with movements. We often think of voluntary movements being different from reflexive movements, yet our nervous system uses both of these types of movements in a very intricate way to produce appropriate motor output. Sensory motor integration is what I study in order improve our understanding on the neuronal control of movement. The function of spinal networks is the focus of my research, but I use various means to study how specific brain centres control spinal neurons. Currently, I used rodent models for studying interactions between the sensory and the motor neuronal networks. In addition, I am in the process of establishing another line of research for the functional mapping of human spinal circuits. The main motivation for this work is to understand better how sensory information and motor function is integrated into micro-circuit s within the spinal cord. The more we know about how the spinal networks function, the more opportunities we can create to intervene with the circuits so improved rehabilitation strategies can be designed when training/re-training function after an injury to the central nervous system. The currently ongoing projects in my lab are the followings: i) Neuronal basis for bilateral coordination of movement; ii) Key spinal neuronal populations for coordinated (loco)motor activity; iii) Alternative" corticospinal pathways as targets for improved strategies in the (re)training of motor function in humans. Looking into spinal cord circuit organization provides a way to test the integrity of higher control systems - i.e. those neurons of the brain that control spinal networks. This provides a theoretical possibility to look for changes in spinal neuronal function and diagnose changes in neuronal processing occurring not only at the spinal cord level but also at the level of the brain. These changes could provide us clues into disease processes early on, even before any structural changes occur in the brain. Thus the functional mapping of human spinal circuits has an important clinical aspect. Developing standard, clinical tests as early disease process markers in the ultimate goal of this work. For more information contact Karen Donald Tel. 204-789-3553 karen.donald(a)umanitoba.ca <mailto:karen.donald@umanitoba.ca> ****************************************** <http://www.manitobaneuroscience.ca/> <https://www.facebook.com/manitobaneuroscience/?fref=ts> <https://www.instagram.com/manitobaneuroscience/> <https://twitter.com/manitobaneuro>

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Brain Awareness Week events
by outreach＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 07 Mar '17

07 Mar '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 Good morning everyone, The Manitoba Neuroscience Network is proud to announce its schedule of public events for Brain Awareness Week 2017 (March 13-17). In addition to these events, and our ongoing Neurocraft exhibition, we will also be hosting our third annual Winnipeg Brain Bee this Saturday, March 11th. Please feel free to share this calendar with others who may be interested and we hope to see you at many of these events next week. Best wishes, Sari Sari S. Hannila, PhD Director of Outreach, Manitoba Neuroscience Network cid:image004.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00

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special lecture and trainee lunch - Dr. Luda Diatchenko
by outreach＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 06 Mar '17

06 Mar '17

cid:image001.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00 Hello everyone, Next week, SFN chapters around the world will be celebrating Brain Awareness Week and ours is no exception. A full schedule of events will be sent out soon, but for the moment, I would like to remind you of our first events, which will take place next Monday, March 13th. Canada Excellence Research Chair Dr. Luda Diatchenko from McGill University will be giving a talk at 1 pm in Theatre B. This will be preceded by a lunch at noon for students and postdocs in the Kleysen Institute seminar room (SR415). All trainees are strongly encouraged to attend! Please see the attached posters for further details, and feel free to distribute them throughout your respective units. I look forward to seeing you there! Best wishes, Sari Sari S. Hannila, PhD Director of Outreach, Manitoba Neuroscience Network cid:image004.jpg@01D158FE.B69B8D00

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Neuroscience seminar in Pharmacology and Therapeutics - FRIDAY MARCH 3
by networking＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics Seminar Series <http://www.sbrc.ca/ccarm/faculty/dr-thomas-netticadan/> Date: Friday, March 10, 2017 Time: 12:00 Noon Location: Basic Medical Sciences 626 Dr. Katinka Stecina Assistant Professor Department of Physiology & Pathophysiology University of Manitoba Topic: Rodent "in vivo" electrophysiology to assess (and boost) spinal neural contribution to the recovery of motor and sensory function. For more information please contact: Karen Donald Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine Tel. 204-789-3553 karen.donald(a)umanitoba.ca <mailto:karen.donald@umanitoba.ca>

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NEW DISTINGUISHED LECTURESHIP AWARD for 2018
by networking＠manitobaneuroscience.ca 02 Mar '17

02 Mar '17

The MNN is pleased to announce that we are accepting applications for the VIKTOR HAVLICEK MEMORIAL NEUROSCIENCE LECTURESHIP. Viktor Havlicek, MD, PhD, DSc, was a Professor in the Department of Physiology (now Physiology and Pathophysiology) at the University of Manitoba from 1968 to 1981. The Viktor Havlicek Memorial fund was established through gifts to the University of Manitoba in his memory. A Capital Reserve Fund has been created, from which the annual interest will fund Viktor Havlicek Memorial Neuroscience Lectureship. It is intended that $3,000 from the proceeds of this fund will be allocated biannually (ie. once every two years) to support a visit to the University of Manitoba by an internationally-renowned neuroscientist in a manner that encourages interactions with trainees. Applications are now being accepted until MAY 1, 2017 for a visit and lecture to take place between April 1, 2018 and March 31, 2019. Applications for the next Lectureship will be accepted in 2019 for 2020/2021 fiscal year. Nominations must be made by a faculty member but trainees and staff are encouraged to suggest names to their advisors. Faculty from any MNN contributing institution (ie. not only the University of Manitoba) may submit nominations. A complete nomination consists of a letter to the Neuroscience Awards Committee (NAC) Chair explaining the rationale for choice of candidate, along with any supporting materials the applicant deems useful for assessing the merit of the candidate and the benefits of his or her visit to the University of Manitoba. Please send nominations by email to <mailto:networking@manitobaneuroscience.ca> networking(a)manitobaneuroscience.ca by May 1. The NAC will determine an order of invitation priority for submitted nominees and the top-priority candidate invited at a time determined in consultation with the nominator. If this candidate is not available, the next candidate will be invited. All candidates on the priority list must be considered worthy of the Lectureship by the NAC. We hope you find these new opportunities helpful and exciting. If there are any questions, you may respond Dr. Chris Anderson at <mailto:networking@manitobaneuroscience.ca> networking(a)manitobaneuroscience.ca or <mailto:chris.anderson@umanitoba.ca> chris.anderson(a)umanitoba.ca. Thank you. ****************************************** <http://www.manitobaneuroscience.ca/> <https://www.facebook.com/manitobaneuroscience/?fref=ts> <https://www.instagram.com/manitobaneuroscience/> <https://twitter.com/manitobaneuro>

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