Neurological Foundation Free Lecture: Dr Anthony West

The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand and the Brain Health Research Centre at the University of Otago are excited to present a free public lecture in Dunedin by visiting neurophysiologist Associate Professor Anthony West from the Chicago Medical School.

Dr West is an expert in the field of basal ganglia research; the basal ganglia are located in the brain and are abnormal in a number of neurological disorders including Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Dr West’s lecture will compare and contrast currently available treatments for Parkinson’s disease with promising new approaches which are being characterised in pre-clinical studies and clinical trials. The potential advantages and risks associated with these novel therapies will be discussed.

Recent pre-clinical studies have highlighted several new atypical approaches which may prove promising for treating the neurological symptoms of Parkinson’s disease. These novel treatment strategies are borne out of a better understanding of brain circuits associated with the initiation of movement. Indeed, these approaches may be useful when used on their own or in combination with currently available medications.

During his visit to New Zealand, Dr West will meet with New Zealand neuroscientists at the Brain Health Research Centre at the University of Otago, including Dr John Reynolds of the Basal Ganglia Research Group. Dr Reynolds says “Dr West’s visit to New Zealand is incredibly exciting for neuroscience here – in the future, we hope to collaborate on some important research with his laboratory at the Chicago Medical School. We’re thrilled that the Neurological Foundation is sponsoring Dr West’s lecture – his presentation will highlight the direction that basal ganglia research is taking, and impress upon the public the critical role that neurological research has on the future health of people globally.”

Event: FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
Date: Thursday 10 February 2011
Time: 12noon –1:15pm
Venue: St David Lecture Theatre Complex, corner St David Street & Castle Street, Dunedin

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About Dr Anthony West:
Dr Anthony West is a neurophysiologist and neuropharmacologist in the Department of Neuroscience, the Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science. Dr West received his PhD in Cellular and Clinical Neurobiology in 1997 from Wayne State University School of Medicine and continued his training in the Department of Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr West joined the Department of Neuroscience at the Chicago Medical School in 2002.

His research has been supported by the Brain Research Foundation, NARSAD, the Tourette Syndrome Association, Pfizer Inc, Lundbeck Research USA Inc, the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Honours include National Research Service Awards from NIH, NARSAD Young Investigator Awards, CINP Rafaelsen Fellowship, and the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science Board of Trustees Award. Dr West is a member of the Society for Neuroscience, the International Basal Ganglia Society, and the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.

ENDS

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