"Optogenetics and Brain Connectivity"

How you think and act, and what skills you possess, will have a lot to do with how your brain is put together. And the most potent tool for looking at brain wiring is the mix of lasers and genes known as optogenetics. Which -- with possible applications in opthamology (can it reverse blindness?), cardiology, rehabilitative medicine, neurology, and psychiatry -- has become the hottest topic in biology. For more, hear research psychiatrist Stephen Rayport, who teaches clinical neurobiology at Columbia. And who serves as lead investigator for the Department of Molecular Therapeutics at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. Dr. Rayport will speak on Thursday, October 6 -- from 6:45pm to 8:45pm -- at West End Collegiate Church. This is at 245 West 77th Street, west of Broadway and about 150 feet east of West End Avenue. We request a $5 contribution to defray the groups expenses. The doors will open at 6:00 ABOUT MAADDSG Since 1992, the Manhattan Adult Attention Deficit Disorder Support Group has offered walk-in, peer-run support sessions for adults with ADD and ADHD. In addition, it sponsors workshops led by experts in ADD/ADHD and other aspects of mental health.