- OBI's decade-long Public Talks initiative has reached nearly 45,000 people, translating scientific research into accessible knowledge through nearly 40 events that bridge lab discoveries and everyday brain health practices
- The 2024-25 Brain Health Across the Lifespan series drew over 900 attendees, with 89% reporting new knowledge gained from three focused conversations on nurturing, optimizing, and supporting the brain at every life stage
- Eleven experts shared actionable insights, from building cognitive reserve through enriched childhood environments to recognizing early warning signs of cognitive decline and navigating diagnosis with community support
This year's OBI Public Talks tackled a fundamental question: how do we support brain health from birth to our golden years? The 2024-25 Brain Health Across the Lifespan series explored this through three focused conversations – Nurturing the Developing Brain, Optimizing the Adult Brain, and Supporting the Elder Brain – bringing together experts to share what science knows about maintaining cognitive wellness at every stage of life.
From the rapid neural connections formed in early childhood to the sophisticated cognitive networks that develop over decades, every person's brain follows a unique journey. Yet accessible information about supporting this journey – and boosting brain health in general – often remains scattered in academic journals and clinical settings. The Ontario Brain Institute bridges this gap, translating scientific research and innovation into practical knowledge that people can use.
Since launching the Public Talks initiative ten years ago, OBI has hosted nearly 40 events reaching close to 45,000 people. Beyond academic forums, the OBI team works to turn lab discoveries, clinical trials, and treatments into real-world applications that raise public awareness and drive better outcomes in everyday life. Free public lectures are one important way OBI achieves this goal, sharing insights on advances in neuroscience, developments in neurotechnology, community-based care, living with brain disorders, and more.
Key speaker insights
Eleven experts shared extensive knowledge about supporting brain health from childhood through the older years. With so much information covered in the three talks, here are four key takeaways from the series:
"Exposing children to enriched environments filled with love, novelty, and learning is vital for healthy brain development. This helps build cognitive reserve and supports resilience throughout life." – Dr. Stephanie Ameis, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, in Nurturing the Developing Brain
Simple lifestyle changes – cardiovascular health, diet, and exercise – can slow accelerated brain aging seen in conditions like depression.
- Dr. Fabiano Gomes, Canadian Biomarker Integration Network in Depression in Optimizing the Adult Brain
"It's normal to occasionally forget where you left your keys or the name of a restaurant you visited. But if even after follow-up questions or reminders you still can't recall important details, that's when it might be time to speak with your doctor." – Dr. Laura Middleton, Schlegel-UW Research Institute for Aging in Supporting the Elder Brain
"It can feel like a minefield to navigate... but getting an early diagnosis, connecting with healthcare professionals, and leaning on community support can make all the difference. You're not alone on this journey. Trust me on that." – Dr. Ngozi Iroanyah, Alzheimer Society of Ontario in Supporting the Elder Brain
The response to this year's series was overwhelmingly positive – over 900 people attended the three live events (in-person and via livestream), with 89% of attendees reporting they gained new knowledge.
As the Ontario Brain Institute continues to bring lab discoveries to life, each conversation sparked, each myth dispelled, and each person equipped with practical brain health strategies helps ensure scientific breakthroughs reach the communities that need them most.
Watch OBI Public Talks
