In my earlier introductory post I spoke of the popular analogy used
in likening the brain to a radio and just like in a radio, components of the
brain also have the potential to stop functioning or function differently. So lets
say that our radio has a damaged component or a part that isn’t functioning the
way it should be. This could be the antenna receiving the information or a piece of machinery involved in processing the information such as a modulator. So what
happens when I turn the radio on? Is there silence? Am I left looking at a box
devoid of any activity? The answer is no.
When I turn that broken radio on it in fact we can tell that it still,
to some degree, works; There is still electrical activity within it, lights are
on and a static noise can even be heard through the speakers. The point is that this altered state of 'higher functioning' rather than complete lack of function seen is exactly the same in the brain. What causes this to occur can
vary from injury to genetics and the resulting conditions are termed ‘Neurological Disorders’.
Raising awareness of neurological disorders and providing
support to families affected by one of the many forms of neurological disorder
is extremely important. Individuals of all ages can be affected and a major
impact on not only the life of the patient but also on their surrounding family
members can be seen. The Paediatric
Awareness of Neurological Disorders Association or P.A.N.D.A is a charity built
on the aim of raising such awareness and providing such support to families.
Based here in Preston, this neurological charity uses a number of resources to
achieve their goal such as producing reading materials, holding special events
and creating powerful links with medical professionals to ensure the greatest
impact possible. In this manner P.A.N.D.A creates better understanding of
difficult and often complex neurological disorders within the community. It is,
in my opinion, a fantastic endeavour and one that I feel deserves all of our
support in the neuroscience community
It is partly for this reason that I am writing this post to
you all today as at this moment in time P.A.N.D.A is in need of our help.
Without premises and in need of a new home, this charity desperately needs our
support in helping them get one and continue doing what they do best. The UCLan Neuroscience Society support
P.A.N.D.A fully and hope to work with them in the future in their work so help
us take P.A.N.D.A off of the endangered species list and take a look for
yourselves!
You can also follow P.A.N.D.A on their twitter page:
Thanks!
Tom Barrett
NeuroSoc Blog Co-Editor
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