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16 Headlines Dr Rachael Sumner, a postdoctoral research fellow with a PhD in Pharmacy from the University of Auckland, is one of the many scientists and clinicians that were directly affected by the COVID-19 lockdown. She was funded in the 2019B grant round for a small project grant to investigate and develop a research programme into women’s neuroendocrinological health and disease. Dr Rachael Sumner Postdoctoral Research Fellow University of Auckland “Thank you so much to you and the Neurological Foundation for the support and lifeline for the project.” – Dr Rachael Sumner Rachael’s research specifically focuses on, “catamenial epilepsy, a form of epilepsy that is frequently drug resistant and is clearly linked to specific hormone events during the menstrual cycle. For example, in one particular type, women with epilepsy experience at least twice as many seizures in the week around when their menstrual cycle begins as they would in other weeks.” This particular epileptic episode is unique and important to investigate because catamenial epilepsy does not respond to hormonal medication such as the combined oral contraceptive pill, as you would think. These epileptic episodes are caused by hormonal shifts during a women’s menstruation cycle, so why wouldn’t “the pill” be more effective? What does this tell researchers about how to approach developing new treatments? That is exactly what Rachael and her lab were hoping to start to investigate in March. COVID-19 had other plans though. Prior to COVID-19 arriving in New Zealand, Rachael and her lab were just starting their research. Rachael was excited to get going as the research techniques would provide a window into the major brain systems that contribute to seizure activity and that also change over the menstrual cycle. However, herein lay the challenge, Rachael’s research is entirely dependent on women volunteering their time to go to her lab at specific times during the month to coordinate with their cycles. But, during the COVID-19 lockdown restrictions New Zealand put in place, Rachael’s research came to a grinding halt. “COVID-19 impacted this project when we were unable to continue to complete face-to-face research. After months and months of planning, and the initial elation at being given the opportunity to conduct this study due to the generous support of the Neurological Foundation, a process began of attempting to plan and problem solve how to complete the project despite the ever changing situation caused by COVID-19. The numbers were not stacking up.” A daunting realisation dawned on Rachael, they wouldn’t be able continue the project at all until the lockdown was lifted, and who knew when that was going to be. But a lifeline came during Rachael’s disappointment and frustration. “The Neurological Foundation offered its researchers, including me, a lifeline; an extension for 3 months. This will have an impact on not just allowing me to fulfil my promise to the Neurological Foundation to complete this project when face- to-face research resumes. It will also allow me to continue to advance knowledge on catamenial epilepsy, and the impact of the menstrual cycle and hormonal treatments on women’s neurological health. And for this, I am extremely grateful.”