dana centre - event - Keeping Your Marbles

Think long term. Over a million people in the UK are likely to be affected by dementia by 2025, so will you be losing the plot? Chat to scientists researching Alzheimer's disease, and find out how to keep your brain healthy as you age in this interactive discussion event.

What are your hopes? What are your fears? Share your own thoughts and experiences in our 'diary room' via a Speakolascope. This interactive video booth records your message at the push of a button before displaying it as part of the event.

Neuroscientist Clive Ballard explains what's going on now in Alzheimer's research. How effective are current treatments and are there any new drugs on the horizon? What might the future hold?

Quiz John Hardy about the genetics of Alzheimer's. How does your genetic make-up influence your risk of getting the disease? Would you choose to have a genetic test that shows your risk of developing the disease?

Talk to psychologist Marcus Richards about his work on long-term population studies and have a go yourselves at some cognitive tests. How do scientists determine brain function?

Concerned about prevention? Rob Williams is looking into various compounds found in our diet that might have a role in protecting the brain. Could dark chocolate and red wine have beneficial effects on brain function?

We wrap up the evening with a session at the mighty turntable of chat, the Talkaoke. Share your thoughts and take the chance to quiz our speakers further on how to keep your minds healthy.

Watch our event trailer to start you thinking, and use the comments board to ask your own questions. Do you have ideas or stories to share?

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Read the poem this event has inspired: Switching off the visitors, by Heidi Williamson.

This event is supported by the Medical Research Council.

Event organised by:
The Science Museum

Speakers

Clive Ballard, Director of Research, Alzheimer's Society
John Hardy, Professor of Neuroscience, University College London
Marcus Richards, Senior research scientist, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health and Ageing
Rob Williams, Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, Kings College London
Facilitator: Colin Uttley, Spectrum Drama

comments

Neil said:

As someone whose relative suffers from dememtia I find the title of this talk rather flippant and in poor taste

David Hogarth said:

I agree with Neil - a bad title for what looks to be a very interesting and useful event

Sue said:

Get a sense of humour!

Stephen Clift said:

This is a huge issue which will affect more and more people in future. I am interested to know what evidence there is on the value of physical and social activity in preventing the onset of dementias

Keeping Your Marbles

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