World Premiere of Interactive, Walk-through Inflatable MEGA Brain to Debut in Glendale, California

GLENDALE, Calif., May 17 /PRNewswire/ -- The MEGA Brain(TM) is the world's only portable, inflatable brain exhibit designed as an educational walk-through experience that demonstrates the central nervous system's most critical organ.

The MEGA Brain(TM) has never been seen before. For the first time ever and during National Stroke Month in May, people will be able to learn about the brain functions and how to prevent strokes and other brain disorders as they walk through a giant inflatable brain at The Americana at Brand on Sunday, May 23, 2010, from 11 AM to 4 PM (park area), 889 Americana Way, Glendale.

The MEGA Brain(TM) is an 18-foot-long, 14-foot-wide, 12-foot-high replica of the human brain that provides visitors with a close-up view of brain functions, as well as the damage caused by brain trauma, stroke, meningitis and other diseases.

Visitors enter the exhibit through the frontal lobe, which is responsible for personality and higher cognitive functions, and exit through the cerebellum, the portion of the brain responsible for balance and coordination.

In the time it takes to read this, a stroke will claim the life of someone in the U.S. Over the course of the year ahead, that will amount to more than 143,500 deaths more than any other cause besides heart disease and cancer. Still, most strokes are not fatal, and quick action can often make the difference in the outcome.

The goal of the MEGA Brain(TM) is to educate the public that every second counts during a stroke. Depending on how fast you identify the symptoms and take steps to get help, you're either one second closer to minimizing the damage or one second closer to further injury and possibly even death.

This event is being made possible thanks to coordination by Glendale Adventist Medical Center and The Americana at Brand as well as funds raised by the 2010 Glendale Downtown Dash participants and sponsors.

For those that miss the display on Sunday at The Americana at Brand, the MEGA Brain(TM) will also be on display at Glendale Adventist Medical Center on Monday, May 24 and Tuesday, May 25. For more information, please call (818) 408-8100 or visit http://www.glendaleadventist.com.

Glendale Adventist Medical Center was the first hospital in the San Fernando Valley to be certified as an Advanced Primary Stroke Center, which means that the hospital has the facilities, staff and processes in place to provide fast and effective care for stroke patients. At Glendale Adventist, a team of medical professionals with specialized training in stroke care and other issues related to the brain and nervous system are available 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For more information, visit: http://www.GlendaleAdventist.com/neuro.

Media Contact: Alicia Gonzalez, (818) 409-6604 or (818) 800-3113

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SOURCE Glendale Adventist Medical Center