The brain explained

KNOWLEDGE The recently organised conclave on ‘Integrating Brain, Mind and the Soul’ was a revelation to many.

‘Integrating Brain, Mind and the Soul’ was the theme of the 30th T. S Srinivasan Knowledge Conclave 2010. It was truly an integration of a kind with a mixture of students, doctors, psychologists and psychiatrists from all over the country attending it.For all of us who attended on February 12 and 13, the days were well defined.

Insights

On the first day, the brain was dealt with in a very theoretical way. There were sessions on The Limbic System and our Emotions by Dr. E.S Krishnamurthy, Prof. Trimble and Prof. Ludger Van Elst. Then was a profound lecture on ‘The Musical Brain’, which gave all an insight into various types of music and how it affects us. In addition, even about the ‘Singing Neanderthals’. All speakers dedicated the third session to understanding human emotions like Human Aggression, Crying, Happiness and Sex, the neuropsychiatric and the neurobiological way.

Patient’s perspective

The second day dealt with the brain in a more abstract and erudite form. Prof. Pauen gave us an excellent presentation of the consciousness of the brain and the mind. In addition, Prof. Fred Ovsiew explained delirium and catatonia in terms of a patient’s perspective. The conclave ended with the discussion of the representation of The Soul in the Western Philosophy and the Eastern Philosophy by Prof. Pauen and Dr. Krishnamurthy. The conclave was a revelation to many of us in the audience. New manifestations, thoughts and ideas were exchanged. The conclave was well organised and punctuality was maintained to the dot. Hats off to the organizers.