Students and Faculty Volunteer at Museum of Science Brain Fair

People don’t typically line up enthusiastically for neurological exams, simulated spinal taps, and cognitive testing, but that was the scene at the Museum of Science as visitors took part in a two-day health fair called “Our Changing Brain.” The March 18-19 event, which coincided with Brain Injury Awareness Month, brought together local educators and researchers to teach visitors about the many fascinating aspects of brain development and health. Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Professor of Neurology, Anna Hohler, MD, organized a team of energetic and knowledgeable BUSM students to volunteer at the event.

“The students did a phenomenal job of teaching to the masses,” said Hohler, referring to times the crowd at the BUSM tables reached four rows deep.

In addition to the day’s regular museum guests, more than 1500 school students attended the Museum specifically for the brain fair. One of the most popular activities was a lumbar puncture simulator that the BUSM team used to demonstrate spinal tap procedures while describing how spinal fluid is used in the diagnosis of brain dysfunction.

“It is so satisfying to see the “wow!” moment in other people. I’m so happy I got to share my passion for neuroscience with the kids who visited us – it certainly reinvigorated me!” said first year BUSM student Richard Carozza.

At another BUSM activity station, guests competed against friends to solve a series of brainteasers such as r/e/a/d/i/n/g. (Spoiler alert – the answer is “Reading between the lines.”)

Visitors also had an opportunity to role play as future neurologists. Student volunteers explained the tools used during a neurological exam and then invited museum guests to become the physician.

“She’ll have a whole new perspective the next time we visit the pediatrician,” commented one mother as her eight-year-old daughter tried out a reflex hammer on the knee of student volunteer Katelyn Trecartin.

Activities continued on Saturday, with a keynote panel discussion by Boston University School of Medicine faculty members Drs. Anna Hohler, Terence Keane, Robert Stern and Jennifer Vasterling. The capacity crowd heard about a broad spectrum of brain injuries, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Concussion, and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).

“Our goal was to bring together a group of experts who could talk about the range of brain injuries and illnesses, how they are alike and how they differ, and what the most current research is telling us,” said Dr. Susan Heilman, the museum educator who organized the event.

Hohler opened the discussion with an overview of brain anatomy and an explanation of how injuries affect the brain. Keane, who serves as director of the National Center for PTSD at the VA Boston Healthcare System, gave the audience a history of PTSD and a summary of current research.

Vasterling described what happens when TBIs occur in the context of psychological trauma and highlighted recent research on the intersection of TBI and PTSD. When asked by a high school student if PTSD looked different in people who have also sustained a traumatic brain injury, Vasterling explained that the risk of PTSD goes up after mild TBI, but researchers are still exploring whether or not PTSD expresses itself differently in patients with TBI.

Stern gave museum visitors insight into current research on CTE, a topic that was of great interest to many in the wake of recent comments by NFL executive Jeff Miller referencing the work of BU researcher Ann McKee, MD, in recognizing a link between football and CTE.

“Do you think the work being done at BU will change the way the game of football is played?” asked one guest.

Stern, an avid football fan, replied that research being done at the CTE Center will likely lead to efforts to make the game safer for players.

“We may see younger kids playing flag football rather than contact football during the years their brains are rapidly developing,” Stern explained. “We are already seeing a reduction in full-contact practices and that will likely increase. So yes, I think this work will have an effect.”

Many in the audience had personal reasons for attending the talk. Some had suffered a brain injury themselves. Others were interested in the most recent information because their children play contact sports. Many had relatives who are Veterans or current military members.

“My grandfather fought in World War II and suffered a brain injury,” said one Museum visitor. “I’m so glad I came to this talk, because it gave me a better understanding of what he was going through.”

Submitted by Monica Parker-James.