5/12/2013 -> 5/26/2013

Aims and scope:

    The Neuroscience Schools Program of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) is pleased to offer an advanced neuroscience course for 12 – 14 IBRO Alumni and other young investigators residing in Africa and Latin America. The school begins in Montreal where the students will participate in interactive sessions on current topics of neuroscience.  These interactive sessions, coordinated by Dr. Ellis Cooper, will include lectures, discussions and visits to laboratories related to the theme of the School.

On Thursday, May 16, the students will travel to Toronto to attend a specialized School focusing on neuropathic pain and comprised of lectures, lab visits, demonstrations, group discussions and a small group problem based learning case. The material will cover the basic science of pain (anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, genetics and behaviour) with particular focus on neuropathic pain and clinical topics. There will be demonstrations of neuropathic pain assessment techniques (quantitative sensory testing) and functional imaging. In addition, there  will be group discussions with experts on specific issues related to developing countries such as relevant diseases that may cause neuropathic pain and practical issues related to conducting research on neuropathic pain in low resource settings, as well as sessions on career advancement, preparing manuscripts and grant applications.

A special feature of this School will be its integration with two scientific meetings: the 7th Annual Canadian Neuroscience Meeting ( May 20-23) and the 4th International Congress on Neuropathic Pain (May 22–26). . All students enrolled in this School will be full participants at these meetings, presenting their own work on a poster, attending scientific sessions, and participating in interactive sessions with selected speakers.

Who should apply?

   Priority will be given to doctoral, postdoctoral students, young physicians doing fellowship and/or clinical research and young faculty members residing in Africa and Latin America who are likely to transfer the knowledge gained in the school to their research, particularly in the area of pain. IBRO Alumni are encouraged to apply.

The applicants should be fluent in English (written/spoken), have a degree in basic or clinical sciences, and be involved in neuroscience research. Students will be chosen on the basis of their academic record and their potential for leadership in the scientific community of their home country. The criteria include: academic achievements, publications, letters of reference, and in particular, the statement of how this School will benefit the applicant’s own research career.

    Students selected to attend the School will have their travel and living expenses (housing and meals) covered by the School. Visas and other immigration arrangements are the responsibility of the student.

Educational Objectives:

• To help understand basic mechanisms related to pain resulting from neurodegenerative disorders and peripheral and brain trauma and their implications for therapy.
• To present and discuss the students’ own research.
• To foster long-lasting links with some of Canada’s top neuroscientists and institutions.
• To forge new contacts between investigators in Canada, Africa, and Latin America.

Dr. Simon Beggs, Assistant Professor, Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Canada
 
Dr. Jeffrey  Coull, Director, Operations at Ontario Brain Institute; Adjunct Professor at University of Toronto, Canada
 
Dr. Maija Haanpaa,  Staff neurologist, Associate Professor in Neurology, Consultant in Pain Management at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland 
 
Dr. Aki Hietaharju, Chief of the Pain Clinic at Tampere University Hospital, Finland
 
Dr. Judith Hunter, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, University of Toronto, Canada
 
Dr. Peter Kamerman, Associate Professor, Dept. of Physiology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa 
 
Dr. Michael Salter, Professor, Dept. of Physiology, University of Toronto, and Head of the Neurosciences & Mental Health Program at The Hospital for Sick Children) Research Institute, Canada 
 
Dr. Ze’ev Seltzer, Professor, Depts. of Physiology and Oral Biology, University of Toronto, Canada 
 
Dr. Barry Sessle , Professor, Depts. of Physiology and Oral Biology, University of Toronto, Canada 
 
Dr. Timothy Salomons, Research Scientist, Department of Psychiatry at the University Health Network in Toronto, Canada

Organizing Committee of Canadian IBRO Schools of Neuroscience

Albert J. Aguayo (Past President of IBRO), Chair
Ellis Cooper (McGill University)
Jonathan Dostrovsky (University of Toronto)
Ante L. Padjen (McGill University, Director of IBRO IT)
Jane Roskams (University of British Columbia)
Guy Drolet (Université Laval)
Brian McVicar (University of British Columbia)
Cathy Ranking (University of British Columbia)


Support:

• IBRO
• Special Interest Group in Neuropathic Pain (NeuPSIG) of the International Association for the Study of Pain
• Society for Neuroscience
• Canadian Association for Neuroscience
• McGill University
• University of Toronto
• Montreal Neurological Institute
  
• INMHA, CIHR

How to apply:

Applications are available only on-line. There are no hard copies of application forms.