Knitters will be getting their needles and yarn out in Canberra on Sunday as part of an artistic campaign to promote neurons, the cells of the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerves that control movement and create memories.

Dr Ian McDonald from Alzheimer's Australia said knitters would be creating textile neurons that would form part of a sculptural neural network set to be part of a travelling art exhibition.

He said the event met two of the five targets for keeping the brain healthy as it involved a mental challenge and social connections.

"There’s evidence in all sorts of areas to show that using your brain is important for preventing dementia," he said. "Knitting is one hobby, amongst reading, video games, crosswords, which are excellent activities to slow brain degeneration down."

No knitting experience or booking is necessary and materials will be supplied without charge.

At 2pm a group of older dancers in the GOLD (Growing Old Disgracefully) program will also show off their "Chromosome 16" dance, named after the memory chromosome.

Canberra Dance Theatre artistic director Liz Lea said the group grew from an ACT Health-funded program in 2011, and the choreographed dance was designed to promote a healthy body and mind.

The Neural Knitworks event will be held from 11am to 3pm at the CSIRO Discovery Centre on North-Science Road, Acton.

For details on how to keep a healthy mind, visit yourbrainmatters.org.au.