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2 Headlines Editor Danelle Clayton Design The Design Cellar Ltd ISSN 0114-9768 CONTACTUS Neurological Foundation, PO Box 110022 Auckland Hospital, Auckland 1148 Phone: 09 309 7749 Free call: 0508 272467 (0508 BRAINS) 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 Gifts in Wills: Margie Carter – 021 042 8114 margie.carter@neurological.org.nz Major Donors: Kim Maunder – 021 642 485 kim.maunder@neurological.org.nz Headlines is printed on paper from responsible resources Kia ora kōutou, You might not know that migraine is the most common neurological condition, and the second-biggest cause of disability in the world. People with migraine like Anastasia (page 9) say colleagues and friends sometimes struggle to appreciate how debilitating the condition can be. According to neuroscientist Professor Peter Goadsby from King’s College London (page 5), better drugs to treat migraine are on the horizon thanks to people “beavering away in laboratories.” This will come as a relief to those affected when they become available. It’s also a reminder of the critical need to fund research that, ultimately, leads to treatments. Thanks to our generous donors, that’s exactly what is happening across a wide range of neurological conditions. Check out the results of our latest grant round on pages 13-15. You might be inspired by the story of Sara Clarke and her family (page 17) who generously included the 33% end-of- financial-year tax rebate with their gift to the Foundation. Perhaps you’d like to consider following their lead. Every dollar makes a difference. This year promises to be especially exciting. Working with the Foundation’s Council, we’re refreshing our long-term strategy to ensure that we stay relevant for today while also being future focused. Innovation is key to success in an ever-changing world. Three years ago, we went out to the research community and asked what goals they had, and what they needed to reach them. As a result, we’re embarking on an ambitious new way of funding research via our inaugural programme and platform grants – and it’s already caused quite a buzz. We received 35 expressions of interest from across New Zealand in a wide range of clinical and scientific research areas. As we went to print, these had been shortlisted, with detailed applications invited for those deemed to hold the most promise. I will keep you posted as the process unfolds. One thing that never seems to change is the ongoing need for investment in research – something that’s simply not possible without your help. We’re so grateful for your support. Together, we can change tomorrow’s world. Mā te wā, Rich Easton CEO Message from our Chief Executive Watch this headspace: global migraine experts share the latest news A voice for migraine sufferers in Aotearoa In their words: living with migraine Lithium – a bittersweet pill Meet Blake Highet, Brain Bank Research Fellow What’s behind the Parkinson’s pandemic? Understanding the numbers $2.6M allocated to outstanding research "Giving back feels right" NZ’s first Autism Research Clinic Contents 5 8 9 10 11 12 13 16 18