the NeuRA blog

By Edel O’Hagan We know our body, right? We know our back? We know what our back likes and dislikes, its limits and strengths. But what if everything you thought you knew about your back and lower back pain were, in fact, wrong or maybe not completely wrong but not quite true. I would like to tell you about three […]

Researchers at NeuRA are leading a new project to look at aged driver safety with the announcement of a new study to be led by Senior Research Scientist, A/Prof Julie Brown. With the support of the 2017 Ramaciotti Health Investment Grant, this study will be a world first investigation into the use of comfort accessories and seat modifications by older […]

By Leonie Harle Dear Readers, NeuRA’s Bequest Manager Leonie Harle loves being on the road, travelling the countryside to visit important NeuRA bequest givers.  We joined Leonie on her recent trip to the exquisite Southern Highlands to ask her about this important role she has played for the last ten years. How often do you travel to meet with a Bequest giver? […]

By Emily Crocetti and Miranda Chilver   Recently the Gatt Resilience Lab grew by two members, visiting research assistant Emily Crocetti from Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, and Miranda Chilver new PhD student. Both join Dr Justine Gatt in her quest to not only understand what makes people more resilient to mental illness and disorder but also how to develop methods and […]

Dr Joana Caetano, Dr Jasmine Menant and Prof Stephen Lord.   Balance and walking impairments are disabling symptoms of Parkinson’s disease that adversely affect performance of daily activities, reduce independence and increase the risk of falls. Around 60% of people with Parkinson’s disease fall at least once a year, with a large proportion (50-86%) falling multiple times in this period. […]

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is a common condition affecting 1 in 5 adults worldwide. CMP encompasses a diverse range of conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain (CLBP), fibromyalgia and chronic widespread pain, where ongoing pain is felt in the bones, joints and tissues. Exercise is considered to be the primary treatment intervention for people with CMP; it is […]

By Dr Sylvia Gustin   I am particularly excited about my new research which shows that in people who suffer from spinal cord injury, 50% of those that suffer complete thoracic spinal cord injuries are still left with some of their sensory connections intact, and although suffers cannot sense touch below the waist, their brain still lights up to indicate that […]