The Brain, Poverty & Mental Health, Oct. 2015, Montreal, Canada
Channel: Ludmer Centre
Date: 2015-11-17

Note: This English-language lecture has a brief French introduction.

The brain, especially the circuitry governing emotion, attention, self-control and stress, is shaped by a complex interplay of genes and early-childhood experiences. Childhood adversity, of which poverty has been identified as a significant factor, can result in deficits leading to a range of mental-health issues that can diminish social, educational and employment opportunities.

Dr Michael Meaney, Co-Director of the Ludmer Centre and leading epigenetics researcher, presents the neurobiology and epidemiology evidence demonstrating how early exposure to childhood adversity can become biologically embedded, effectively switching genes “on or off”. Presentation starts at 0:04:00. For more on his research visit the Michael Meaney Lab (http://michael-meaney.lab.mcgill.ca/en/index_en.html). 

Dr Sonia Lupien, Scientific Director, Institut universitaire en santé mentale de Montréal Research Center, discusses how when faced with (or anticipating) a situation that is either Novel, Unpredictable, Threatens-our ego, or lowers our Sense of control (NUTS), we secrete stress hormones. She then presents the DeStress for Success Program which educates and helps youth manage stress. Presentation starts at 1:12:50. For more about:
 • DeStress for success: http://www.humanstress.ca/programmes/de-stress-for-success.html
 • NUTS: http://www.humanstress.ca/stress/understand-your-stress/sources-of-stress.html
 • Stress is a Mammoth: http://www.humanstress.ca/about-cshs/why-a-mammoth/link-between-stress-and-a-mammoth.html

Dr Alan Evans, Co-Director of the Ludmer Centre and Director of the McGill Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, facilitated the Lecture (www.mcin.ca). 

As part of our commitment to educating future researchers and the public, we offer public lectures in Montreal, Canada and post to the Ludmer Centre YouTube site to reach a wider audience. This was our inaugural lecture.

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Ludmer Centre: www.LudmerCentre.ca