Brain
By Lydia Ngwakwe/Kemi Oladipo
Lagos, March 12, 2018 (NAN) A group of professionals, Lagos Neuroscience Group, has advised Nigerian youths to desist from taking illicit drugs, saying they are capable of damaging their brains.
Dr Ademola Oremosu, Chairman of the group, gave the advice at a news conference held at College of Medicine, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Neuroscience Group is a multidisciplinary group of professionals whose research interests are in neuroscience and areas like structure, function, chemistry and imaging, diseases of the system and behaviour of the narrow system.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the conference was part of a week-long Brain Awareness Week (BAW) for 2018.
BAW is a nationwide effort organised by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives and the Society for Neuroscience to promote the public and personal benefits of brain research.
It is usually celebrated every March 12 -18; this is the first time the Lagos group is participating in the week.
Theme of 2018 Brain Awareness is: “Protect the Brain, Protect the Future.’’
Oremosu described brain as “a central control of the human body’’ hence, the need to protect it.
According to him, we want the public to know that brain is a very important part of human body.
“Everything must be done to protect the brain, because it is a central control and people must stop taking drugs or sniffing chemicals that will not help their brains.
“One of the reasons we are doing this campaign is that there are certain drugs like tramadol and codeine, which we call addictive drugs.
“Many times, society is not aware; many parents don’t know that it is an addictive substance.
“All of them have addictive substances such that once the effect depletes, they begin to have what is called the withdrawal symptoms and at that point they can get addictive.
“That can make them to stab, kill and rob. So, people should be careful about these.’’
Also, an expert in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Dr Olufunke Dosumu, advised youth to steer clear of hard drugs for them to live long.
“If you lose your brain, you are practically losing your soul; people need to watch and protect the brain all the time.
“There is need for proper care of the brain.
“This is why we are going out there to let people know they have brain that controls the body and as such, it needs to be protected.
“If you must enjoy your brain, even at old age, it is high time you get it safe,’’ Dosumu advised.
In his remarks, Dr Leke Medubi, an expert in Developmental Neuroscience and Neurochemistry, called on the Federal Government to assist the group in the area of funding on its research.
“One major challenge we are still facing with the awareness on brain and neuroscience in Nigeria is the issue of funding.
“Most of our works are done through research and that cannot be without funding.
“So, as we create awareness on the need for people to take care of their brains, protect their brains, the knowledge we need to tell them comes from research.
“So, the Federal Government and the general public need to know that their duty is to support people like this group, to get funding needed to continue our research.
“It will assist us to generate more information, so that in case there are accidents and trauma, the product of our research will help people in these categories,’’ he said.
NAN reports that the Brain Awareness walk will hold on Thursday to sensitise young people about the need to take care of their brains.
The walk will kick off at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, and will end at the University of Lagos, Akoka. (NAN)
LED/OKG/FF/GOK
==============
Edited by Fela Fashoro/Olagoke Olatoye