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Medicine
for the Public: 2002 lecture series
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Bioterrorism
The Genetics of Speech and Communication Disorders Coping with Anxiety and Depression in Uncertain Times Nutritional Therapies for Age-Related Eye Diseases The Teen Brain Endometriosis: Scrambled Eggs and Killer Cramps |
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The 2002 Medicine for the Public lecture series, now in its 26th year, features physician-researchers working in the frontiers of medical discovery at the National Institutes of Health. The series helps people understand the latest developments in medicine with an emphasis on topics of current relevance presented by speakers who can relate stories of science to the lay public. For details on specific topics and speakers, please call (301) 496-2563. Or e-mail Contact Us. |
The lectures, which are free and open to the public, are presented at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in the Clinical Center's Masur Auditorium, National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Building 10, Bethesda, Maryland. Visitor access during heightened security | Maps and directions Booklets based on selected Medicine for the Public lectures are available. Visit this site to order or call 301-496-2563. |
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Videos of these lectures require the latest version of RealPlayer. Click here for information on downloading the free software. |
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Every American citizen became sensitized to bioterrorism after the anthrax letter events of October 2001. In a world where politics and economic trends are dictated by the United States, biological weapons offer an asymmetric advantage to political or religious groups waging war with the United States and the American way of life. Dr. Noel will present the recent history of biological warfare programs, which offer a good perspective of what the future may hold. He will also discuss the biologic and physical characteristics that may render a biological agent a potential weapon. Anthrax, plague and smallpox are three of the most likely organisms to be used as biological weapons. Understanding the biology, mechanisms of toxicity, modes of spread and current preventive and therapeutic measures, lays the groundwork for future research in biodefense.
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Communication is a crucial part of everyone's life. But when someone has problems speaking or understanding, their very existence is affected. Millions of Americans suffer from communication disorders. In fact, stuttering affects about 1 percent of the U. S. population. Dr. Drayna will explain how genes affect the ability to communicate. Specifically, he will discuss his work with stuttering and disorders of pitch recognition—also known as "tone deafness."
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The experience of psychological trauma is not an uncommon occurrence in today's society. Recent research indicates that severe psychological trauma can cause symptoms persistent of anxiety and depression. Dr. Charney will discuss these symptoms and how they affect brain function and alter body systems, and explore current treatments available.
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Between 2000 and 2020, the number of people 65 years or older in the United States will increase from 35 million to 53 million, a 53 percent increase. This is the fastest growing segment of the United States. The public health significance of age-related eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts will increase. Dr. Chew will explain age-related eye diseases, their incidence and the results of recent studies regarding nutritional supplements for these conditions. The public health impact of such treatment will also be assessed.
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Any parent of a teenager can attest to the fact that the brain of a 13-year-old is different than the brain of a 9-year-old. Yet to actually pin down those differences in a scientific way has been elusive. Magnetic resonance imaging has changed that. It safely provides exquisitely accurate pictures of the living, growing brain and has launched a new era of adolescent neuroscience. Dr. Giedd will explore recent findings from brain imaging and the implications these findings have for parents, teachers, society, and the teens themselves.
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October 29, 2002 |
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Endometriosis is a commong gynecologic disease. Tissues resembling the lining of the uterus
grows outside of the uterus, usually on the pelvic organs. Some women find out they have
endometriosis when they have trouble becoming pregnant. Others with endometriosis have
pelvic pain with their menstrual periods or with sex. The pain may be so severe that it
impacts on their quality of life, affecting their intimate relationships and day-to-day
activities. Some women don't have any symptoms from endometriosis. The treatments for
endometriosis are tailored to the woman's symptoms. Women with infertility may benefit
from surgery or other assisted reproductive techniques. Those with pain may benefit from
surgery or hormonal treatments, in addition to taking medications for pain relief. Medical
research on endometriosis continues to look into improving drug therapies and surgical
treatments, but because of the complexity of the disease, there may be a long way to go
before finding a cure. Dr. Stratton explains a study
investigating whether raloxifene will prevent the return of pain after surgical treatment
of endometriosis. What sets this research apart is the study of a designer estrogen, which blocks the body’s estrogen
in the uterus and therefore may prevent the regrowth of endometriosis. The researchers are also
investigating other aspects of the disease such as quality of life.
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Past lectures: 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997
For
more information about the Clinical Center,
e-mail Contact Us, or call
Clinical Center Communications, 301-496-2563.
NIH Clinical Center
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, Maryland 20892-7511
