ORANGE BRAIN
PROJECT

Introduction to Dr. Syl Corbett

by Dr. Francois Charbonneau

As a medical student, I was both seriously intimidated and mesmerized by neuroscience and clinical neurology. The number of lectures dedicated to this imposing part of medicine was the most important of our curriculum, proportional to the number of hours spent studying and stressing about the upcoming exam!

Now 40 years later, having recently retired from a consuming Interventional Cardiology practice at Foothills Medical Centre in Calgary, I continue to be fascinated by the interaction of the nervous system and our cardiovascular health. For example, during that time, we have come to recognize a sudden, painful syndrome associated with ECG abnormalities, elevated cardiac enzymes and acute heart dysfunction. During the initial phase of Stress Cardiomyopathy (also known as Takotsubo or Broken Heart syndrome), it is quite difficult, if not impossible, to distinguish it from a common myocardial infarction.

Only after performing an urgent coronary angiogram showing the typical pattern of dysfunction and an absence of a culprit coronary occlusion can we make the correct diagnosis. The fascinating feature of this syndrome is that it often follows a physical and/or emotionally traumatizing event. And even if this phenomenon can transiently lead to severe heart failure, most patients affected by this condition improve within 5 to 10 days without specific treatment.

I think this syndrome vividly illustrates not only the complexity, integration and omnipotence of our nervous system, but also highlights that modern neuroscience, being a relatively young endeavour, still has much to explore and discover. In my opinion, there is no one more talented and knowledgeable than Dr. Syl Corbett to explain in simple terms and with such contagious enthusiasm the current major concepts of neuroscience. The Orange Brain Project could easily serve as reference book to a neuroscience introductory class at the university level yet is written so elegantly that it is accessible to all.

Syl is first (but not only) an accomplished athlete, having participated in (and won) numerous international ultra-marathons, triathlons and long distance competitions. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree early and has since combined her expertise and skills to train numerous high-performing amateur athletes as well as many professionals. She found time in her busy schedule to further explore the preventive effects of exercise on mental health and was eventually awarded a PhD in neuroscience from the University of Calgary for her contribution to the field.

Despite health challenges and high demands for her expertise, I have come to know Syl over the past few years as she also helps simple, (aging) folks like myself remain as healthy and active as possible. There are no “routine” workouts with Syl! Every week, with a broad grin on her face, she challenges us with various (sometimes diabolical) exercises, that promote not only strength and range of motion but also balance and coordination, engaging our motor neurons and synapses. She is cherished by a large community both here in Calgary and across North America. To me, she personifies the Latin expression: Mens sana in corpore sano—a healthy mind in a healthy body.

Happy learnings!

Francois Charbonneau M.D. M.Sc.

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