FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ON April 18, 2017

Activist Maria Shriver Shares Her Story at Free Brain Health Fair This Friday

Mayor Declares Brain Health Awareness Day in Boston

BOSTON -

What: 2017 Brain Health Fair (Presented by the ��ɫ����) When: Friday, April 21, 2017, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. Where: Boston Convention & Exhibition Center Sign up Now: Sign up for free at to get the latest event updates Maria Shriver, journalist, activist, author, former First Lady of California, and the founder of The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, will be a special guest speaker at the 2017 Brain Health Fair, presented by the ��ɫ���� (AAN). This free, one-day-only event includes fun, hands-on activities, and connects the public with some of the best and brightest neurologists in the world to learn the latest advances in the treatment of neurologic disorders. As one of the nation’s leading advocates for families struggling with Alzheimer’s disease, Shriver will be speaking about The Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement and Move For Minds, an annual live event she founded that raises awareness of the brain-body connection. In acknowledgment of the Brain Health Fair, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh has declared “Brain Health Awareness Day” in the City of Boston. The Brain Health Fair is open to all Boston area neurology patients, caregivers, families, students and anyone interested in brain health. Diseases that will be covered during the event include multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and dementia, epilepsy, stroke, Parkinson's and movement disorders, pain and headache, concussion, the latest advances in child neurology, and others. The event will include how to spot a concussion, dance therapy, support groups, activities for kids and teens, and free giveaways and resources. Activities of special interest for patients, families, and caregivers:

• “Ask a Neurologist” booths—talk to expert neurologists
• Learn about the latest treatments and research advances
• Get prevention and healthy lifestyle tips
• Pick up free resources

• Walk through an inflatable, interactive brain
• Hold an actual human brain
• View animal brains—from mouse to dolphin
• Create brain-inspired arts and crafts
• Learn how nerves govern your senses at the cranial nerve stations
• Pick up a free bike helmet at the helmet giveaway (supplies limited)
• Free copies of Neurology Now® magazine in English and Spanish
• Special Spanish presentation on "The Challenge of Alzheimer's Disease in the 21st Century/ El Desafío de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer en el Siglo XXI"
• Care Resource Lounge—free information and resources for caregivers
• Build your own healthy snack during an executive chef demonstration

About the ��ɫ����
The ��ɫ���� is the world’s largest association of neurologists and neuroscience professionals, with 32,000 members. The AAN is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurologic care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, migraine, multiple sclerosis, concussion, Parkinson’s disease and epilepsy.

For more information about the ��ɫ����, visit http://www.aan.com or find us on , , and .

About the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA)
The Massachusetts Convention Center Authority owns and oversees the operations of the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA, the Boston Common Parking Garage, and the Lawn on D Powered by Citizens Bank. The BCEC and Hynes have earned a rare gold standard from the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), making Boston only the fourth city in North America and the 12th worldwide to have been awarded this top standard, the highest certification level a convention facility can achieve under strict AIPC guidelines.