Grant: CIHR Café Scientifique Program

This is a proposal from Montreal Brain Awareness Week to host a Café Scientifique in partnership with CIHR on multiple sclerosis (MS) as part of the 2012 MBAW Café Scientifique series. The mission of Brain Awareness Week Montreal is to increase public awareness and interest in brain research through a variety of programs for people of all ages. These goals are in part reached by a series of Cafés Scientifique on diverse neuroscience topics where a discussion with a panel of expert scientist is engaged. For the year 2012 we have selected Multiple Sclerosis (MS) as one of the most pertinent and popular choices for a Café Scientifique. Multiple sclerosis is the most common cause of chronic neurologic disability beginning in early to middle adult life. According to the Multiple Sclerosis society of Canada, Canadians have one of the highest rates of multiple sclerosis in the world. MS is the most common neurological disease affecting young adults in Canada with three more people diagnosed with MS every day. Our Café Scientifique aims to provide insight into the issue of Multiple Sclerosis to the general public, and in turn provoke questions and provide answers. Our panel of selected speakers will discuss various facets of MS including the latest advances in MS research and the feasibility of current therapeutical promises. A brief introduction of their work will be followed by an open question and answer session and some light entertainment.