In Memoriam: University of Calgary mourns the loss of Rebecca Hotchkiss

Well-loved Calgarian's generosity propelled world-leading neurosciences research at UCalgary’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute; campus flag lowered Sept. 27, 2024. Read the full story here.

In this week's edition of BrainWorks:

• News: Dystonia; Inner critic; Opioid withdrawal
• Awards: Jeanne Bentley Award; National Academy of Neuropsychology
• Upcoming Events: Meet the Researchers: CaPRI
• Recent Publications: Music therapy; Migraines

CTV News Calgary: 'The hardest thing is to find a diagnosis': Calgary woman speaks out about neurological condition

Dystonia affects an estimated 50,000 people in Canada with 60 percent suffering from cervical dystonia which affects the head and neck and is often mistaken for a stiff neck or arthritis. HBI member, Dr. Davide Martino says the condition can appear at any age and present in different ways. Read the full story here.

Science Focus: Your inner critic is sabotaging your life. This is how psychologists suggest you break free

HBI member, Dr. Daniel Kopala-Sibley comments on the relationship between parenting and self-criticism. Read the full story here.

New insights on brain-spinal communication in opioid withdrawal lead to a clinical trial

UCalgary collaboration repurposes an anti-gout medication for treating opioid withdrawal. Read the full story here.

Now Innovating: Supporting the mental health of first responder families

A conversation with Dr. Kelly Dean Schwartz, associate professor in the Werklund School of Education. Read the full story here, or watch on Youtube.  Spotify, and Apple Music links available at the article link.

The Mathison Centre is the mental health arm of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute. All news previously included in the Mathison newsletter, will now be included in Brainworks, with a monthly feature on news and updates specific to the Mathison. To learn more about the Mathison, you can check out their website here, or follow them on Instagram and Twitter.

Livewire: South Health Campus music pilot becomes a full-time, year-round program

A pilot program that has helped to put music into healthcare took a big step this week with a renewal that has transformed performances at the South Health Campus into a year-round program. Mathison and HBI member Dr. Stephanie Plamondon is quoted. Read more here.

Dr. Gabrielle Wilcox received both the Werklund Community Engagement Award and has been accepted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology. Congratulations Dr. Wilcox!

Jeanne Bentley Award - Alzheimer Society of Calgary

Every year, Alzheimer Calgary presents the Jeanne Bentley Award to an individual who has demonstrated a real commitment to helping improve the lives of people living with dementia. This year's recipient is HBI member, Dr. Dallas Seitz!

Dr. Seitz is recognized in particular for his outstanding championing for Canada’s first dementia-inclusive park, a partnership between Parks Foundation Calgary, Alzheimer Calgary and Dementia Network Calgary. The full Gratitude Report can be found at this page here.

We are excited to invite you to our 3rd annual Calgary Parkinson Research Initiative (CaPRI) event. This highly anticipated gathering will highlight the latest advancements in prevention, treatment and research for Parkinson’s disease. You’ll also have the chance to engage with leading researchers and doctors at the forefront of this research. Register for the event here.

The study, published in Disability and Rehabilitation, showed that patients, health care professionals, and family members accepted music therapy as a treatment modality. While there is growing evidence for music therapy in neurorehabilitation, practical challenges remain in developing inpatient music therapy services, including funding, and optimal integration of music therapists into existing care teams. Read the full study here.

The study, published in Headache Journal of Head and Face Pain, demonstrated the feasibility and acceptability of our trial protocol and of using remote electrical neuromodulation (REN) to treat youth presenting to the emergency department with migraine Read the full study here.