As our population ages, the number of centenarians is also expected to increase. Estimates suggest that there will be approximately 12,000 centenarians in Australia by 2020 and 50,000 by 2050. Worldwide, the number of centenarians is projected to increase 15-fold to 2.2 million by 2050. The second international Living to 100 Conference, hosted by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing […]
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NeuRA researchers are stepping up their research with the introduction of a new perturbation treadmill aimed at preventing falls and improving balance. What is a perturbation treadmill? A perturbation treadmill is a treadmill, like those in the gym, but with two belts instead of one. We can control the speed of each belt independently. Each foot is placed on a […]
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The neurobiology of resilience is complex. But neuroscience research is revealing an understanding of the biological mechanisms behind resilience to help guide healthy emotional and cognitive functioning. Dr Justine Gatt and Rebecca Alexander from the Gatt Resilience Lab at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) recently contributed a chapter to Genes, Brain and Emotions: Interdisciplinary and Translational Perspectives. Genes, Brain and Emotions […]
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A study published in Molecular Psychiatry has identified changes in inflammation-related biochemical pathways in schizophrenia that interfere with proper brain nerve cell communication. Researchers have found the first direct evidence in support of increased kynurenic acid production in the brain, which is known to block a key glutamate receptor. This discovery paves the way for the development of better-targeted therapies with fewer […]
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The 2019 Federal Budget has delivered a win for people living with brain disorders in Australia, with a $7million funding boost for research aimed at developing improved models of care. The clinical and research translation program, led by the Mindgardens Neuroscience Network (Mindgardens), will build new models of care to address the staggering burden of brain disorders in Australia. The disease burden associated […]
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By Dr Justine Gatt & Dr Haeme Park, originally published by Wellbeing Australia Do you often refer to your ‘wellbeing’ or ‘happiness’ when describing your current mental state? What about when you talk about ‘being happy’ – is this the same as ‘being well’? Wellbeing and happiness are two terms often used interchangeably in the news and on social media, […]
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Dr Ralph Stanford. Originally published in NeuRA Profile Magazine 2018 Recovery of function after acute traumatic spinal cord injury is limited, but the concept of using drugs to protect injured nerve cells offers hope of improving outcomes. NeuRA’s Dr Ralph Stanford has partnered with AOSpine in North America to establish a clinical trial of the drug riluzole in the early […]
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NeuRA study proving successful in helping people with Parkinson’s disease. Peter Marshall noticed something odd in 2007 when he was out on one of his regular bicycle rides. He felt unusually ill and short of breath. Something didn’t seem right. He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease shortly after. After 10 years of cycling and keeping as fit as possible […]
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A study led by researchers from NeuRA, UNSW Sydney and ANU has shown a specific diet designed to increase brain health appears to reduce the risk of cognitive impairment and disorders including Alzheimer’s and dementia. The study, published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia, reviewed the potential protective effects of the Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay diet, also known as the MIND diet. DASH stands […]
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Researchers say drinking, smoking and the light from your phone at night can be keeping you awake when you’re trying to sleep. Other bad sleep habits that can affect your sleep include exposure to loud music and eating rich foods within two hours of your bedtime. It might seem obvious but pets in the bed and a lack of exercise […]
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