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2 Headlines Editor Danelle Clayton Contributors Glenda Kane Mackenzie Kiernan Design The Design Cellar Ltd Cover Stuff Limited ISSN 0114-9768 CONTACTUS Neurological Foundation, PO Box 110022 Auckland Hospital, Auckland 1148 Phone: 09 309 7749 Free call: 0508 BRAINS (0508 272 467) Email: info@neurological.org.nz Website: neurological.org.nz If you’re moving, please let us know your new address so that you don’t miss the next issue of Headlines. If you are not a current subscriber and would like to receive this free publication four times a year, please send your details to marketing@neurological.org.nz. DONOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Upper North Island: Theresa Liebenberg – 027 233 0710 theresa.liebenberg@neurological.org.nz Lower North Island: Margie Carter – 021 042 8114 margie.carter@neurological.org.nz South Island: Kim Maunder – 021 642 485 kim.maunder@neurological.org.nz Headlines is printed on paper from responsible resources Kia ora koutou, Developments in screening and diagnostic neurotechnology were on display at the Aotearoa Brain Project – Kaupapa Roro o Aotearoa day, held in Auckland as part of Healthtech Week. A small team from the Foundation had the privilege of hearing from the scientists leading this research in New Zealand. It was a great opportunity for us to make new connections and to celebrate existing relationships with collaborators from the world of neuroscience. The day’s focus was on health and wellbeing along with neurotechnology. A diverse range of presenters gave fascinating talks. They included internationally-renowned professors, a Māori community group, a hospital emergency department clinician, researchers working in screening and diagnostics and a start-up technology company. It was interesting to note the intersections between the work of many of the presenters, and touch points into areas the Foundation has funded. One of my favourite things was seeing prototypes of interactive technology that are designed to help manage neurological conditions such as stroke and Parkinson’s disease, in action. We were shown how tools such as smartphones could empower patients – and their families – while reducing the need for in-person appointments. We saw howmore frequent monitoring could also pick up disease progression sooner, possibly enabling pathways to earlier treatment. These developments offer potential benefits to our health system, to practitioners and to people with poorer access to healthcare. You’ll find an example of this kind of technology in this issue of Headlines – take a look at Dr Hamid Abbasi’s funding to assess cerebral palsy in babies on page 14. (No doubt you’ll find our focus on research into concussion fascinating, too.) Cheaper, more readily-available user-friendly technology could be a game-changer in healthcare. We’re not there yet, but we are well on track. Together, we are on a pathway to hope. Mā te wā, Rich Easton CEO Message from our Chief Executive What's on Making headway: The sports-loving scientists studying concussion The remarkable Sports Human Brain Bank Grant round 2023A The Coolhead study led by emerging stroke expert Using AI to detect cerebral palsy in babies Slices of life Lucky to survive and living life to the full Meet Anna, the friendly voice with a big heart 10 Years On: Past Philip Wrightson Fellow Dr Phoebe Macrae New Philip Wrightson Fellow Molly Swanson Around the globe Contents 3 4 8 10 13 14 15 16 17 18 19