PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: 25 June 2012
Neurological Foundation of New Zealand
2012 ANNUAL APPEAL PUBLIC LECTURE SERIES
THE NEUROLOGICAL FOUNDATION PRESENTS FREE PUBLIC LECTURE
AUTISM: HOW IT AFFECTS BRAIN CELLS – THE LATEST RESEARCH
EXCLUSIVE PUBLIC LECTURE, NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED
Presented by neuroscientist Dr Johanna Montgomery
Principal Investigator, The Synaptic Function Research Group
Senior Lecturer, Physiology
School of Medical Sciences, University of Auckland
Autism is a cognitive disorder and the core symptoms include deficits in social relationships, delayed and abnormal
language and a pattern of repetitive behaviours and restricted interests. A relatively unknown disorder to the general
population, the condition is anything but rare, with over 40,000 New Zealanders being affected by an Autism Spectrum
Disorder.
In this lecture, Dr Johanna Montgomery will discuss the latest research identifying how Autism Spectrum Disorders affect
brain cell function and communication, and how this could underlie the behavioural changes seen in autistic patients.
She will explain research performed by her own lab and that of her peers internationally. Dr Montgomery will also
highlight the progress and prospects for the future.
FREE
THURSDAY 5 JULY 2012 NO BOOKINGS REQUIRED
6.30PM TO 8.00PM
ROOM 260-115, FISHER & PAYKEL AUDITORIUM
THE UNIVERSITY OF AUCKLAND BUSINESS SCHOOL
OWEN G GLENN BUILDING, 12 GRAFTON ROAD, GRAFTON
This FREE lecture is part of the Neurological Foundation’s 2012 Annual Appeal Public Lecture Series. The Annual Appeal
campaign, sponsored by MITRE 10, runs from Sunday 1 July through to Saturday 7 July. Look out for the appeal envelope in
your letterbox, daily newspaper or at MITRE 10 and MITRE 10 MEGA stores nationwide.
July 2012 marks an outstanding 21-year association between the Neurological Foundation and MITRE 10. Since 1991, MITRE
10 has contributed over $1 million to the production of our Appeal. Without this sponsorship, the Foundation could
simply not facilitate the campaign.
ends