The 17th annual APS College of Clinical Neuropsychologists (CCN) conference was held in Sydney in November 2011. The conference theme, ‘The challenges of evidence-based neuropsychology’, was exceptionally well received by 250 delegates attending over four days. The conference was filled with evidence-based workshops, papers, lectures, grand rounds, posters and symposia addressing neuropsychological issues across the lifespan.
The first ever CCN preconference symposium, ‘Optimising healthy brain ageing’, was a day where six internationally recognised neuroscientists presented lectures on cutting-edge research in brain ageing. This event attracted a diverse audience of neuropsychologists, psychologists, medical practitioners and members of the public, as well as media attention (read below). The positive impacts of health, diet, exercise and mental stimulation on healthy brain ageing were highlighted and remained issues of optimistic discussion throughout the conference, including at the conference cocktail party at the Tattersall’s Club.
At the conference, Professor Yaakov Stern from Columbia University gave a keynote, ‘Cognitive reserve – from theory to intervention’, which examined cognitive reserve and its role in delaying dementia and other neurological disorders. Professor Narinder Kapur, from University College London, delved into the fascinating depths of ‘The paradoxical brain and positive neuropsychology’ in his keynote address. Associate Professor Carmelle Peisah (University of New South Wales) highlighted important issues in decision-making capacity, and Associate Professor Stephen Bowden (University of Melbourne) presented an important evidence base to challenge assumptions about the diverse clinical presentations of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (lest we forget!). Attendees at a well attended workshop on supervision raised significant concerns about the impact of the Psychology Board of Australia's proposed supervisor training model on the availability of psychology supervisors and resulting deleterious effects on training and workforce renewal.
The program included presentations on modern neuroimaging, ADHD, paediatric neuropsychology, Aboriginal Australians, epilepsy and EEG in clinical practice, psychiatric and medical conditions, brain injury, retrograde amnesia, older adult drivers, mild cognitive impairment, early dementia, and a session for student case presentations. Student prizes were awarded for an outstanding paper presentation to Christine Canty (University of Melbourne) and for an outstanding poster to Christina Furtado (Monash University).
The 18th annual CCN conference is planned for 22-25 November 2012 in Launceston, Tasmania.
Wayne Reid MAPS, CCN Conference Chair
SPOTLIGHT ON HEALTHY BRAIN AGEING
The conference symposium 'Optimising healthy brain ageing', featuring eminent US Professor Yaakov Stern, captured the interest of the media and the wider community. Through a targeted media approach, advice about healthy brain ageing was published in key national publications. This proved a successful way to highlight the work of clinical neuropsychologists and the College’s role in promoting clinical neuropsychology. Peter Rawling, from the conference organising committee, said, “This [the media coverage] represents unprecedented publicity for our College and the kind of work we are doing.
Media highlights
- An article ‘Start depositing in your brain bank’ appeared in The Straits Times, Singapore
- An AAP story on healthy brain ageing featuring comment by Professor Yaakov Stern and Associate Professor Sharon Naismith MAPS, an Australian researcher in the field, was syndicated online and in print around Australia and across Asia
- A segment on healthy brain ageing on the high-profile ABC TV program 7.30 in December, included an interview with Professor Stern and with Associate Professor Sharon Naismith
- Articles appeared in the Courier Mail, Sydney Morning Herald and Australian Ageing Agenda