Brainwave Trust and the Liggins Institute ran a very successful seminar with Professor Michael Meaney, McGill University, Canada.
on Thursday August 14, 2008
Introduction was by Professor Peter Gluckman.

Professor Michael Meaney is both a very engaging speaker and a distinguished academic whose research provides scientific evidence for the importance of early mother-child interactions in determining the long-term mental and physical health of her children. He is currently James McGill professor of Medicine and professor in the Departments of Psychiatry and Neurology and Neurosurgery at McGill University where he is also Director, Program for the study of Behavior, Genes and Environment. He is interested in the mechanisms by which adversity in early life might alter neural development so as to render certain individuals at risk for pathology later in life. His current research focus is on the early environmental regulation of gene expression and brain development: how early experience exerts a sustained influence on neuronal function; development of individual differences in behavioural and endocrine responses to stress; environmental and neuroendocrine mechanisms influencing maternal behaviour.

In this seminar, Professor Meaney will discuss the mechanisms that lie behind what causes mothers’ stress levels to affect their children, the long-term impact that maternal stress has on children’s behaviour and intellectual development and whether the early-life effects can be reversed. He will discuss the evidence that early-life influences are important determinants of adult health, cognitive and social development, and the necessity of taking a long term view, targeting preventions and interventions at the beginning of life - where they can have the greatest impact on societies of the future. This seminar will be of interest to all clinicians, educators and researchers interested in helping children and understanding adults.

  Professor Meaney is the recipient of a University of Auckland Hood Fellowship, supported by the Lion Foundation
For more information, follow these links:
 meaney-profile          m-meaney.asp?l=e&

The Brainwave Trust is bringing to New Zealand
Dr Shari Barkin, MD MSHS
International Expert in Family Violence Prevention
for Interactive Workshop Experiences
Christchurch Thursday 20th March 2008
Wellington Wednesday 26th March 2008
Auckland Friday 28th March 2008

Shari Barkin is a truly remarkable doctor.  She is well-respected by her peers for her constant search for interventions based on evidence and also an inspiring and passionate speaker. The workshops have been designed as part presentation and part discussion.  We will strictly limit the numbers at each presentation to allow Dr Barkin to be very responsive to her audience.  We are very pleased to be able to offer you this unique learning opportunity and invite you to follow the link below to read the flyer that contains all the information you will need.  Registrations are now open.   
Click on this link for the flyer:   Shari Barkin Workshops Flyer