Colorado State’s 29th Annual Premedica Symposium on Feb. 8 Teaches Community About Symptoms, Treatments of Neurological Diseases

Colorado State University is hosting the 29th annual Premedica Symposium, "Frontiers Within: Taming the Brain and the Nervous System," from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 8 in Room 104 of the new Chemistry-Biosciences Building on campus.

The symposium, a free educational program that is open to the public, emphasizes the structure, symptoms, diagnosis and potential therapy options for a variety of neurological diseases including Alzheimer’s disease, Lou Gehrig’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy. Presenters will discuss recent medical advancements as well as the many challenges in meeting the scientific, financial and ethical aspects of treating neurological diseases.

The event is sponsored by Premedica, a student organization for pre-health professionals at Colorado State, with support from the Associated Students of Colorado State University. Presenters at the 29th annual symposium include leaders in the field of neurological science and medicine from the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Colorado State University and Fort Collins Neurological Associates. The event’s final presentation, given by pediatrician Robert Brayden who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several years ago, should provide the audience some additional optimism about the future treatment of neurological diseases.

A complete schedule of presentations for the symposium follows.

  • 8:45 a.m.Registration.
  • 9:10 a.m. Welcome by Katie Propst, president of Premedica.
  • 9:20 a.m. "Introduction – Brain and Nervous System" by Kathryn M. Partin, professor of biomedical sciences at Colorado State University.
  • 9:40 a.m. "Alzheimer’s Disease: A Tragedy for Patients and Family" by Gerald C. Mcintosh, M.D., Fort Collins Neurological Associates.
  • 10:15 a.m. "A Stem Cell Solution for Parkinson’s Disease" by Curt R. Freed, M.D., University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
  • 10:55 a.m. "ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease): Search for the Cause While Treating the Symptoms" by Hans E. Neville, M.D., neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
  • 11:50 a.m. "New Neurological Medications/Therapeutic Approaches" by Alan Anderson, M.D.,neurology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
  • 12:20 p.m. "Biological Basis of Epilepsy" by Brandon Cornejo, doctoral candidate in pharmacology at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
  • 12:50 p.m. "An Inside View of Multiple Sclerosis" by Robert M. Brayden, M.D., pediatrician, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center.
  • 1:20 p.m. Moderated question and answer period.

The Chemistry-Biosciences Building is on Colorado State’s main campus and is located at Pitkin Street and Centre Avenue in Fort Collins. From College Avenue, enter the Colorado State campus at Pitkin Street and go west until the street ends, then turn right into the parking lot. The Chemistry-Biosciences Building is directly south across Pitkin Street.

For more information about the Premedica Symposium or for detailed directions and parking instructions, call Barbara Joyce at (970) 484-6620.