Calendar: May 25-31
Wednesday, May 26
WHITHER THE SHRINK?
Perhaps no medical field has changed as radically in the past decade as psychiatry. Cures that once depended on years of therapy are now dispensed in a pill, and our understanding of genetics and brain function has upended the whole idea of a split between "mental" and "physical." So, what happens next? How can science be transformed into cures? Tomorrow night, the final installment of Massachusetts General Hospital's mental-health seminar series will tackle that question. "Looking Toward the Future of Psychiatry: Cutting Edge Research on Genetics, Brain Imaging, and Medications," Shriners Hospital Auditorium, 51 Blossom St., Boston. From 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Reception to follow. Free, but registration required. Call 617-724-8318, or visit www.moodandanxiety.org and click on "news and events."
A DRUG FOR ALZHEIMER'S
Last October, for the first time, the FDA approved a drug to treat late-stage Alzheimer's disease. Though doctors caution that it's not a breakthrough, the drug -- called memantine -- can slow both the physical and mental decline in some patients. Tomorrow night, Dr. Barry Reisberg, the lead researcher in the tests of memantine, will talk to care givers, patients and their families about the potential and limits of this drug. Call ahead for seating at 617-983-2300, ext. 159, or e-mail geary@rogerson.org. "Memantine in the Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease," Rogerson House, 434 Jamaicaway, Boston. From 5 to 6:30 p.m. Free.
Friday, May 28
STEM CELLS, FROM THE SOURCE
What is a stem cell and why is it controversial? Do the potential benefits of embryonic cell research outweigh the moral consequences of destroying a human embryo? Why won't President Bush allow the government to pay for this research? On Friday night, Chad Cowan -- who recently helped grow 17 new lines of embryonic cells at Harvard University -- will talk about the challenges of stem-cell research, its potential, and Harvard's recent move to privately fund the field. "Stem Cells in Your Back Yard," Museum of Science, Current Science & Technology Center, Science Park, Boston. Call 617-589-0407 for information. At 7 p.m., followed by a reception. Museum admission required: $14 for adults; $12 for seniors over 60; $11 for children ages 3 to 11.
Saturday, May 29
RARE BIRDS
The world's animal species aren't spread evenly throughout the globe: Some places are richer than others, and many of the richest zones are losing their species alarmingly fast. Tim Laman, a field biologist and freelance National Geographic photographer, has traveled to "biodiversity hotspots" such as the forests of the Philippines -- and to remote islands and northern Japan -- to capture pictures of unusual and disappearing birds. On Saturday, he will bring photos and tales from his travels to the Franklin Park Zoo; for adults 15 and over. "Photographing Endangered Birds Across the Pacific," Franklin Park Zoo, Meeting Barn, One Franklin Park Road, Boston. Call 617-989-3736. At noon. Requires zoo admission: $9.50 for adults, $8 for seniors 65 and over.Weekend
BYE, BYE, BABIES
This is the last weekend of the dinosaur-baby exhibit in New Haven, where the natural history museum at Yale takes advantage of its spectacular collection of dinosaur fossils to host an exhibit on how dinosaurs hatched and raised their young. The exhibit takes a look at dinosaur eggs, famous hatching areas, and the controversial question of whether history's most fearsome reptiles were actually nurturing parents. "Hatching the Past," Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Final day is Monday. Call 203-432-5050 for hours and directions. Admission $7 for adults, $5 for ages 3 to 18, $6 for seniors 65 and over.
Event notices may be sent to healthscience@globe.com.
