DOCUMENT

Message from our Chief Executive 2 Exercise may help those with thinking problems 3 Let’s get brainy this March! 4 – 5 Meet the Scientific Advisory Committee 6 – 7 Latest grant funding 8 – 11 The Burden of Epilepsy 12 – 13 A Lighthouse in the Dark 14 – 15 Curcumin and Stroke 16 – 17 Changing the World with getagrip TM 18 A pathway to hope 19 Message from our Chief Executive Contents Contact us Neurological Foundation of New Zealand PO Box 110022, Auckland Hospital Auckland 1148 Phone: (09) 309 7749 Free call: 0508 BRAINS (0508 272 467) Email: admin@neurological.org.nz Website: Neurological .org.nz If you are moving, please let us know your new address so that you don’t miss the next issue of Headlines. Upper North Island Leith Larsen leith.larsen@neurological.org.nz Central North Island Debbie Lomas debbie.lomas@neurological.org.nz Lower North Island Margie Carter margie.carter@neurological.org.nz South Island Kellie Bain kellie.bain@neurological.org.nz Donor Relations Contacts THANKYOU to all of our Supporters from all of us at the Neurological Foundation. 2018 was a busy year of changes and we couldn’t have done it without your ongoing support. 2019 has lots to offer as we ramp up the number of events around the country, which will see us bring researchers out to keep you informed about their vital work.We’re also focussing on our website and digital presence to attract new supporters to help us with the important work of growing the amount of neurological research in NZ. Funding neurological research is a growing challenge that was highlighted at the recent Auckland University ofTechnology Global Burden of Disease conference. New Zealand is facing significant growth in the number of people impacted by neurological conditions, and research to prevent, cure or improve the quality of life for those affected is essential. As an example, the estimated impact in Australia of migraine was AU$35 billion to the economy for health care costs, family support and lost work hours etc. Globally, stroke is expected to affect over 12 million people in 2019. New Zealand is preparing to face these impacts by being at the forefront of research into clot retrieval and stroke recovery programmes.This work is made possible by your support, through the work Professor Alan Barber, our Neurological Foundation Chair of Clinical Neurology, is leading with his dedicated teams around the country. Lastly, the Neurological Foundation said farewell to two people at the end of the year, Peter Gilbert and Georgie Couch, our Head of Events & Education. Peter Gilbert retired from the Foundation’s governing Council after an active involvement since 2002, which included being the ‘lay person’ representative at the Scientific Advisory Committee. The Foundation’s team and Council would like to recognise their significant contribution and hard work over the years. I do hope you enjoy reading Headlines and we are always keen to hear from you about articles that interest you and how we can improve our communications. Best wishes Rich Easton, CEO 2 / Headlines