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University to host open discussion on understanding the addicted brain – University of Reading

The University of Reading will be hosting a public discussion on the subject of addiction next Tuesday, 11th March. The discussion is open to all and is held as part of Brain Awareness Week and National Science and Engineering Week.

The interactive meeting will raise topical questions about how best to help problem drug users overcome addiction, whether addiction is a disease or a social problem, and whether new medical research identifying changes in the addicted brain will produce new and more effective treatments in the future.

Professor Jan Keene and Dr Marcus Rattray will introduce models of drug abuse from two contrasting perspectives. Firstly that of social science, which will consider harm minimisation and existing treatments, and secondly that of molecular neuroscience, considering future medical treatments for drug abuse that might come from our increased knowledge of the changes that occur in the brain during addiction.

Professor Christine Williams, Dean of Life Sciences at the University of Reading, says:

"The University is very pleased to be hosting an event which addresses a societal issue of immense importance. By bringing together researchers working in both social and life sciences, the meeting will demonstrate how research is helping us to identify behavioural and biological solutions to drug addiction, as well as possible approaches to prevention in the future."

So far 80 people have booked to attend the event, many are sixth form students from Reading and Berkshire Schools. Some places are still available but must be booked in advance. Those interested in attending should contact Mrs Pam Smart, by email p.j.smart@reading.ac.uk, or by telephone (0118 378 8462). The meeting is suitable for anyone aged 16 or over.

The meeting will be held at 4.30 pm in the URS Lecture Theatre on the Whiteknights campus of the University of Reading. It is sponsored by the DANA Alliance for Brain Initiatives, Federation of European Neurosciences Societies and the Reading School of Pharmacy.

Background for editors

Press contact: Dr Marcus Rattray 0118 378 7892

Dr Marcus Rattray is Reader in Pharmacology at the Reading School of Pharmacy. He is a molecular scientist with a background in neuroscience research and teaching, and has carried out research on the cellular effects of MDMA (ecstasy), nicotine and opiates. Recently, he was a recipient of a Winston Churchill Memorial Trust travelling fellowship to study drug addiction treatments and drug education in the USA and Australia. He is a board member of the International Drug Abuse Research Society.

Professor Jan Keene is Professor of Primary Care in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Reading. She is a trained social worker with a background in social work teaching and research. Jan Keene's research interests cover substance misuse, health and social care needs, and inter-professional practice. She is currently working on a four year programme of studies of drug treatment interventions for offenders. She has worked as a consultant to the Welsh Office and as a Senior Evaluator of EU Public Health Programmes, (Prevention of Drug Dependence 1998-2001.)

The Reading School of Pharmacy was launched in October 2005 and is one of the newest UK schools of Pharmacy, equipped with state-of-the-art teaching and research facilities. It will help meet the national need for pharmacists by providing pharmacy education, training, research and service development.

Brain Awareness Week is an international effort organized by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives to advance public awareness about the progress and benefits of brain research. brainweek.dana.org/

National Science and Engineering Week runs from 7-16 March 2008, an online programme of events can be found at www.the-ba.net/nsew. National Science and Engineering Week is coordinated by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), and funded by the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).