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The Turkish Brain Action Group was founded from suggestions of the European Brain Council in August 2013. Group members quickly organized a “Brain Year” in Turkey in 2014. The Turkish Brain Action Group consists of neurology, neurosurgery, psychiatry, and other disciplines related to neuroscience and patient organizations. Currently, 16 different societies presents in the action group.
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The 2014 Brain Year Turkey opening conference moderated by Prof. Rana Karabudak, under the leadership of Turkish Neurological Society, was successfully held on Feb. 18, 2014, in Ankara, Turkey. The conference aimed to announce all the projects of Brain Year in 2014 and touch on the issues regarding the brain awareness in Turkey. (See Photo 1.) The invited speakers included the representatives from the Turkish Neurological Society’s board members, experienced members, vice chancellor of Hacettepe University of Medical School and the prominent representatives of the neurological sciences specialty societies.
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The conference brought together up to 400 participants, including Turkish press, neurologists, neurosurgeons, medical students and members of cooperated societies. (See Photo 2.)
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Our second meeting was held on March 12, 2014, in Ankara, Tukey. The meeting’s main topic, moderated by Prof. Serefnur Ozturk, was cerebrovascular diseases and mainly attended by medical students and delegates of the Patient Societies. (See Photo 3.) The event recorded and served from brain year web page as a continuing education. (See Photos 5, 6.)
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On April 12, 2014 the Parkinson Disease Society held an event for the Brain Year. The Parkinson’s patients and the neurologists had a long walk against to Parkinson disease. This event received great attention from the press. (See Photo 7.)
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An Awareness Symposium was held for the neurological diseases in May. The symposium brought together around 600 patient and patients’ relatives. They had a chance to have an interactive discussion platform to increase their knowledge. (See Photo 8.)
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In addition to scientific activities, we have visited eight secondary schools and held mini conferences. We reached around 1,000 students and increased their knowledge on brain. Turkish press being so interested to all our events and this makes it more accomplished. (See Photo 9.)
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In the coming days, our public service announcements will be placed on TV which will be a great opportunity to spread our word to Turkey. (See Photo 10.)
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Turkish Neurological Society holding an annual congress every year with 1,500 participants. This year we are celebrating our 50th Congress and planed a special session on Brain Year in Turkey. During our national congress the contest results will be announced at the gala dinner and an outdoor event will be organized “Walking With the Neurons”.
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The brain year website consists all the events and announcements and we use social media quite effectively with our Facebook and Twitter accounts.
