World-renown medical leaders in the military, academia, and research communities in neurology, neuroscience, psychiatry, and psychology are coming together in a first-of-its-kind Brain Health Consortium, April 10-11. The goal is to better understand the state of the science of brain health and to discuss ways to improve the brain health of Soldiers and the Army Family. The consortium is being hosted by Lt. Gen. Patricia Horoho, the Army surgeon general, and held at the Defense Health Headquarters, Falls Church, Va.
The theme for the two-day event is "Brain Health: Partnering to Explore the New Frontier." Among the topics being discussed are: The Performance Triad (Sleep, Activity and Nutrition) and its impact on brain health, readiness and resiliency, cognitive performance, neuroplasticity, mindfulness training and recommendations for warfighters, the human dimension program and more.
"Brain health is the new frontier. We are on the precipice of a major transformation to attain and sustain optimum health, performance, and well-being. A major part of our transformation has to do with the brain, and how it influences health," Horoho said.
Brain plasticity is the brain's unique ability to constantly change, grow, and remap itself over the course of a lifetime. Army Medicine is transforming itself from an isolated, individual health service to an integrated System for Health.
Health is more than simply the absence of disease or injury. It's a state of complete social, mental, spiritual, and physical well-being. The brain is the most important part of the human body. It controls heartbeat, breathing, digestion, muscle movement, our five senses, and is key to everything we do. It regulates how we think, feel, and act.
"The April Brain Health Consortium is our first step towards building enduring relationships with academia, industry, and other experts to foster continued understanding of brain health. It will help the Army initiate a National dialogue to optimize health for the entire Army Family," she said.
Outcomes of the Consortium will help shape the future direction of brain health for the Army, and will be leveraged to strengthen the readiness and resilience of Soldiers, Families, and Retirees. Information on the Brain Health Consortium is available on the Army Medicine Website at: http://armymedicine.mil/pages/Brain_Health_Consortium.aspx.
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