Bond University will this week host the world’s leading neuroscience and immunology researchers for an International Science Symposium on the debilitating Myalgic Encephalomyelitis / Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME / CFS).
ME / CFS is a severe, complex, acquired illness with numerous symptoms related mainly to the dysfunction of the brain, gastro-intestinal, immune, endocrine and cardiac systems.
It is estimated to affect around 250,000 Australians at a cost of approximately $379 million annually.
Bond University’s Population Health and Neuroimmunology Unit (PHANU), with the support of the Alison Hunter Memorial Foundation and the Queensland Government’s Office of Health and Medical Research has invited a number of national and international specialist scientists working in the field of ME / CFS and neuroscience to take part in a specialised Symposium dedicated to neuroscience developments and their application to ME / CFS.
Co-Organiser Dr Sonya Marshall-Gradisnik, an Associate Professor of Biochemistry at Bond University said the Symposium was designed to bring together top scientists from around the world to focus on the current state of research into ME / CFS and help set a focus for immunological and neurological research in the future.
“This is the first purposefully designed international conference exploring developments in neuroscience and immunology from researchers involved in ME / CFS research as well as experts who may previously have known very little about ME / CFS, but whose incisive minds and research skills will be applied to unravelling this perplexing condition.
“The objective is to bring new research ideas and different approaches to explaining and treating this disabling condition,” said Dr Marshall-Gradisnik.
The International Science Symposium on ME / CFS will be held at Bond University’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4.
For more information contact the Office of Research on 07 5595 5039.