In the quest to incorporate knowledge about epilepsy and seizure disorders into secondary school education, the Epilepsy Support Centre has developed “Brain Matters: An Introduction to Neuroscience”. A comprehensive ready-to-use resource for grade 12 biology that examines the field of Neuroscience using seizure disorders as a way to explore key concepts. This resource has been endorsed by all school boards in our coverage area, and will shortly be implemented across Ontario.

Click here to watch a preview of the DVD that accompanies the Brain Matters text

Background Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders Awareness and knowledge about epilepsy is generally low, resulting in stigmatization of this condition In response to these issues the Epilepsy Support Centre, with funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, has created a curriculum unit for senior high school biology students called "Brain Matters: An Introduction to Neuroscience" Brain Matters has been designed to teach the homeostasis component of Academic Biology SBI4U The unit meets the overall and specific expectations of the Ontario Science Curriculum

Features of Brain Matters Facilitator's Manual Companion DVD Case Studies Classroom Demonstrations Videos of Ontario youth talking about their seizures and epilepsy Seizure First Aid Interviews with health care professionals and researchers to highlight a variety of career options in neuroscience. Knowledge Application Materials

Epilepsy has been a teacher to many neuroscientists and provides a unique way for your students to learn about the brain. Much of what we know about the human brain has come from studying individuals with neurological disorders or brain injuries. Epilepsy, in particular, is a neurological disorder that has taught us a great deal about brain function. Two of the neuroscientists highlighted in this unit, Dr. Herbert Jasper and Dr. Wilder Penfield, considered epilepsy to be their teacher. This disorder has given us a unique insight into the functions of the cerebral cortex. Penfield used electrical stimulation of brain tissue during neurosurgery to determine the function of the epileptic focus and surrounding regions prior to resective surgery. These brain mapping studies provided information about the organization of the motor cortex and somatosensory cortex in the frontal lobe and parietal lobe, respectively. A well-known cartoon figure created by Penfield called the homunculus (with large hands, face and tongue, but a small torso) illustrates that regions of the body with greater motor control and sensation require larger regions of brain tissue to perform these functions. These discoveries were made by studying brain function during epilepsy surgery. Brain stimulation during epilepsy surgery has helped to localize other functions in the brain as well - including sensory functions and language.

Brain Matters: An Introduction to Neuroscience can provide a framework for your students' inquiry into neuroscience. The text along with the accompanying DVD can be used to facilitate their journey. Enjoy the voyage into the most intriguing living structure – the human brain. Along the way, students will also gain a better understanding of epilepsy and seizures so that the stigma associated with this neurological condition can be reduced and individuals with epilepsy can live in a knowledgeable, accepting and tolerant society.



For more information about Brain Matters: An Introduction to Neuroscience please contact Dr. Suzanne Nurse @ education@epilepsysupport.ca