Pat Brown, ABC 10 News, Hosts Keynote Address; Mayor Filner Declares Brain Health Awareness Day What: Brain Health Fair When: Saturday, March 16, 2013, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Location: Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, San Diego, CaliforniaRegister Now: Free Registration Open at http://www.BrainHealthFair.com

Newswise — SAN DIEGO – On Saturday, March 16, the American Brain Foundation, the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), will host the Brain Health Fair, a free, daylong family event connecting thousands of patients, families, and caregivers affected by brain disease, which affect one in six people in California. Free registration is now open for everyone at http://www.BrainHealthFair.com.

The event is scheduled for the opening day of the 65th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, which is bringing nearly 12,000 neurologists and health care professionals to San Diego March 16-23.

At 9:30 a.m. the Brain Health Fair will open with a keynote address, hosted by Master of Ceremonies Pat Brown, Weather Anchor for ABC 10 News San Diego. As part of the keynote address, the American Brain Foundation will acknowledge “Brain Health Awareness Day” in the City of San Diego, as declared by San Diego Mayor Bob Filner.

“We extend a warm San Diego welcome to the American Academy of Neurology and look forward to hosting their 65th Annual Meeting, as well as the Brain Health Fair,” said Joe Terzi, president & CEO of the San Diego Tourism Authority. “Besides generating $41 million in regional economic impact for San Diego, this event is an excellent example of how conventions and meetings are giving back to host cities in other meaningful ways, and we’re very grateful to the AAN for this opportunity.”

“This is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity for all of us in San Diego to learn from some of the best and brightest neurologists in the world who will teach free classes and share the latest advances in the prevention and treatment of brain diseases as well as ways for people to maintain a healthy brain,” said William Mobley, MD, chair of neurosciences at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, and a member of the American Academy of Neurology.

Attendees of the Brain Health Fair will have the opportunity to attend free classes taught by leading neurologists about the latest research advances in Alzheimer's disease, brain injury, epilepsy, autism, headache, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, sleep disorders, stroke and other types of brain disease. Close to 50 exhibitors will offer tips on topics such as how to spot a concussion, dance therapy, support groups, brain power food demonstrations, activities for kids and teens, and free giveaways and resources.

List of exhibitors include:American Academy of Neurology, American Brain Foundation, Acoustic Neuroma Association, San Diego Support Group, Allergan, Inc., Alzheimer’s Association of San Diego, American Heart Association/American Stroke Association, Angel Books, Banding Together, Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Inc., Biogen Idec, CCSVI Alliance Inc., CDC/ATSDR-National ALS Registry, Child Neurology Foundation, Dance for PD/Mark Morris Dance Group, Debbie Petrina, Author/Counselor: Multiple Sclerosis, Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, DiscoverMI.org, Dysautonomia International, Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, Genzyme, a Sanofi Company, HDYO (Huntington's Disease Youth Organization), Huntington's Disease Society of America, Lundbeck, Marbles: The Brain Store, Myelin Repair Foundation, National Ataxia Foundation, National Headache Foundation, National Institute of Neurologic Disorders and Stroke, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Pacific South Coast Chapter, National Spasmodic Torticollis Association, Neurology Now® Magazine, Novartis, Parkinson’s Action Network, Parkinson’s Association of Los Angeles, Parkinson's Association of San Diego, Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Inc., Perception Dynamics Institute, Purdue Pharma L.P., Resounding Joy, Inc., San Diego Brain Injury Foundation, San Diego Brain Tumor Foundation, San Diego Psychological Association, SD Community College District, CE Acquired Brain Injury Programs, Southern Caregiver Resource Center, Summit4Stemcell, Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., TEVA Neuroscience, Inc., The Glenner Memory Care Centers, The San Diego Psychological Association, UC San Diego Movement Disorder Center, UCS Inc., University of California San Diego, Comprehensive Alzheimer’s Program, University of Southern California, and Well Spouse Association. Check http://www.BrainHealthFair.com for updates on attending exhibitors.

The event is sponsored by Genzyme Corporation, a Sanofi Company, Allergan, Inc., Biogen Idec, Novartis, TEVA Neuroscience, Inc., and Neurology Now® Magazine, and in-kind donations from Netus Neurology.

Special thanks to the San Diego Tourism Authority, Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel, University of California, San Diego, and University of California, Los Angeles.

About the American Brain FoundationThe American Brain Foundation, the foundation of the American Academy of Neurology, is an independent 501(c)(3) organization that funds the most crucial research to cure brain disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, stroke, Parkinson's disease, autism, and epilepsy. Brain disease affects more than 50 million people in the United States alone. In moving toward its vision, the American Brain Foundation's goal is to reduce the prevalence of brain disease 50 percent by 2040. Learn more at https://www.CureBrainDisease.org

About the San Diego Tourism AuthorityThe San Diego Tourism Authority (SDTA) is a private, non-profit, mutual benefit corporation composed of more than 1,000 member organizations, businesses, local governments and individuals seeking a better community through the visitor industry. The SDTA markets and sells the greater San Diego region as a premier meeting and vacation destination and its mission is to drive visitor demand to economically benefit the San Diego region. Tourism is San Diego's second largest traded economy and employs approximately 160,000 people.