Every March, the European Dana Alliance for the Brain and its American counterpart, the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, coordinate Brain Awareness Week (BAW), an international programme of public events celebrating the wonders of the brain and brain research.

For scientists, it is an opportunity to let people know what is being done to diagnose, treat and prevent disorders of the brain such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, stroke, schizophrenia and depression, which affect the lives of millions of people.

For schools, charities, hospitals - and even arts organisations - it is the chance to reveal some of the mysteries of the brain.

Around the world, hundreds of public events to inspire interest in the brain are staged as part of Brain Awareness Week, to draw attention to what is being accomplished in scientific laboratories, and provide information about the brain that everyone can understand.



Each year, more than 2,200 schools, universities, charities and organisations with an interest in brain research arrange public events in 76 countries.

The next Brain Awareness Week is scheduled for March 16-22, 2009.

You can take part by organising your own event about the brain, or by attending an event in your local area. The international Brain Awareness Week Web site, www.dana.org/brainweek, has information on how to plan and publicise a BAW event, and you can search our database for events happening near you.

If you would like to organise a BAW event, please register as a BAW Partner on the BAW Web site. Once registered, you’ll have access to resources such as free publicity materials, information about past events, suggestions for topics and how to plan your event, an online calendar of public events to promote your events, and dedicated e-mail and phone support from the EDAB staff in the UK and in Switzerland.

To find out more, visit the official BAW Web site at
http://www.dana.org/brainweek.