Philadelphia-based National Disease Research Interchange is hosting a symposium for leaders in brain injury, neurological disease and pain on Nov. 18.
Here are four insights:
1. The meeting will focus on using human tissue to advance diagnosis and treatment of painful and debilitating neurological conditions.
2. Dr. Bennet I. Omalu, who is the inspiration of Will Smith's character in the "Concussion" film, will deliver the keynote address. His speech will touch on chronic traumatic encephalopathy in athletes and veterans.
3. The symposium will also offer two scientific panels, featuring the representatives from the following:
• "Relief: The Role of Human Tissue in Pain Research"
- American Chronic Pain Association
- Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Conn.
- Washington University Pain Center in St. Louis
- AnaBios in San Diego
- University of California, San Francisco's Department of Medicine
- Duke University in Durham, N.C.
• "Impact: Brain Tissue as the Fuel of Scientific Discovery"
- NorthShore University Health System and Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine
- University of Florida in Gainesville
- Patrick Risha CTE Awareness Foundation
- University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston
- Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences in Bethesda, Md.
- Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative
4. About 1.7 million traumatic brain injuries are diagnosed in the United States every year.