Would you like to see a human brain up close? Do you want to know why researchers study “Ice Storm babies”? Why it’s important to study rats swimming in a pool? What Barbie would look like if she were human? On Saturday, June 5, from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., here’s your chance! In honour of its 25th anniversary, the Douglas Hospital Research Centre is having an open house in its Frank B. Common and Lehmann pavilions. Admission is free, with activities for all ages.

One person in five suffers from a mental health problem. Although this represents 20% of the population, the subject remains taboo. “I believe that this day provides a perfect opportunity to explain and to help demystify mental illness for the public”, explains post-doctoral student Jonathan Brouillette. “People often have a false impression of the work we do and where we do it. I hope this will change after their visit.”

Research Explained to the General Public

At the Frank B. Common Pavilion, visitors will learn about sleep disorders and will visit the Circadian Rhythms Laboratory (two guided tours are organized: 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), where researchers will explain how biological clocks work. They will also visit the Brain Imaging Group, where they will see human brain activity on a computer screen. In addition, researchers will explain the effects of stress on memory. Visitors will also be able to play a 3D computer game to learn about spatial memory.

At the Lehmann Pavilion, participants will explore the genetic component of mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and autism. Several studies in this area are currently underway, involving animals and humans. In addition, visitors will be able to speak with experts who study the genetics of suicide at the McGill Group for Suicide Studies; meet researchers studying the beneficial effects of natural products (such as wine and plan extracts) on neurodegenerative illnesses; discuss eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia; and much more…
 

Information

Florence Meney
Media Relation
Communications and public affairs
Phone: 514-761-6131, ext. 2769
Cell.: 514-835-3236
florence_dot_meney_At_douglas_dot_mcgill_dot_ca