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Headlines 5 we were part of the team testing whether this therapy would work, and already had the advanced brain scanning techniques in place, we could safely adopt this life-changing therapy very quickly. Many other countries are still playing catch-up.” Add to that, the stroke clinicians in New Zealand are very well-trained. “Most neurologists have been ‘fellowship trained’, many through Neurological Foundation fellowships, which is huge. It means that when we’re training, we can go to any centre of excellence in the world and say, ‘Hey, can I come and work and do research with you – I’ve got my own funding’, and no one says no to that. It’s unique and absolutely fantastic.” There are new stroke treatments on the horizon. In Christchurch, Drs John Fink and Teddy Wu (both former Neurological Foundation Chapman Fellows) are investigating the potential of tenecteplase, another clot-busting drug, which has potential advantages over alteplase. Tenecteplase looks like it is better at dissolving large clots, and it can be given over a couple of minutes, whereas alteplase has to be given over an hour. “That would free up nurses in the emergency department to do other things and means that patients can be transferred via ambulance or helicopter without needing a nurse to manage a one-hour infusion.” “International companies are coming to us to use and test new clot retrieval devices. This is because of our high case volumes and our careful attention to detail. Another research focus is minimising harm and looking after patients better while they receive the treatment.” “But, the most important area where we can improve is with stroke prevention. We are the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, and we don’t want you falling off. If you are in your 40s or older, go to your GP regularly to get your blood pressure checked to make sure you don’t have atrial fibrillation, diabetes or high cholesterol. Stop smoking, cut down the alcohol, and exercise for at least 30 minutes three times per week. This will reduce your risk of stroke and heart attack, and our chance of meeting professionally!” We are hosting an online talk with Professor Alan Barber and Professor Cathy Stinear on Tuesday 5 July. See page 3 for more details. About Professor Alan Barber Professor Alan Barber became the inaugural Neurological Foundation Chair of Clinical Neurology (CCN) 13 years ago. His task was to facilitate the ‘bench to bedside’ process, directly linking the neuroscience researchers at the University of Auckland with the clinical neurology unit at Auckland City Hospital, helping the hard work of scientists safely reach patients and developing clinician-researchers. He has more than delivered on this challenge, particularly in his specialty area of stroke, bringing enhanced treatment options to patients and seeing stroke outcomes and survival rates improve. Notably, since becoming the Chair, he has pioneered the development of a ground-breaking clot retrieval technique in New Zealand that has saved hundreds of lives. We are proud to announce his tenure as the Chair of Clinical Neurology has been extended a further five years, allowing Professor Barber to continue ‘bench to bedside – and beyond’. Professor Barber is also Clinical Lead of the Auckland Hospital Stroke Service, and Deputy Director of the Centre for Brain Research at the University of Auckland. More recently, he was elected President of the Australia and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN). "That means there are now 400 kiwis who have been given a second chance at life."