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2 Headlines Headlines is a Neurological Foundation publication. Editor Danelle Clayton Design The Design Cellar Ltd ISSN 0114-9768 Your Supporter Care Team Connecting you with the right person to help. If you have any questions, contact or communication preference updates, our friendly team would love to hear from you. Phone: 0508 272 467 Email: info@neurological.org.nz Website: www.neurological.org.nz If you are not a current subscriber to Headlines and would like to receive this free publication four times a year, please contact us and we’ll add you to our mailing list. Scan the QR code to read previous Headlines issues on our website. Headlines is printed on paper from responsible resources Dear valued supporters, I’m writing this with enormous gratitude. In our last issue of Headlines , I told you that many Kiwi neurological researchers are becoming disillusioned in their ongoing struggle for funding. Money has always been tight, but things have gotten worse lately. You responded with concern – and amazing generosity. I’m delighted to say that, thanks to your ongoing support, we’ve been able to invest almost $2.5 million into research in our latest grants round. Check out pages 10 to 13 for some inspiring reading. For me, a particular highlight is that many of these projects involve working with people who have neurological conditions, leading to outcomes that directly benefit healthcare. Your trust and belief in what we do has always meant the world to us, and to our research community. From those just starting out in their research careers, to renowned neuroscientists, your support is vital. Here’s what three of them told us. “It is a blessing to have been awarded this fellowship, which will allow me to keep working in the research team I am currently part of, as well as further develop my research career. It will also allow me to establish the Canterbury cognitive disorders research clinic in Christchurch, as part of a wider research programme.” Dr Lee-Anne Morris, First Fellow, Christchurch “I am, quite frankly, over the moon about this outcome. Thank you for this support.” Professor Anne La Flamme, Wellington “This funding allows me to do the kind of science we’re genuinely passionate about and gives me the time and space to pursue these ideas. It’s a challenging area with a lot still to uncover. This work simply wouldn’t be possible without the Neurological Foundation and the generosity of its donors. It sends a clear message that this type of research is valued, and that makes a big difference.” Dr Taylor Stevenson, Philip Wrightson Fellow, Auckland The expert committees that reviewed the early-career fellowships were genuinely impressed by the calibre of applicants. I received this message from Dr James Cleland, a Waikato-based neurologist who sat on our Personal Awards Committee. “So great to see the high quality of applicants coming through, and really great to see the Neurological Foundation facilitating these young scientists’ careers.” Times are still tough for Kiwi researchers – but you are making a real difference. You’re helping fund bold, brilliant New Zealand research, which holds so much promise for important breakthroughs. We truly value our partnership with you. With appreciation, Dr Sarah Schonberger Head of Research Message from our Head of Research A picture paints a thousand words – especially in brain research Coming clean – MRI gives new insights into meth recovery Restoring dignity from spinal injury Backing life-changing research: 2025a grant round results Fruit flies helping to fight Alzheimer’s Tomorrow’s neuroscientists? Brain Bee wins hearts and minds First Fellow to study apathy in dementia September is Wills Month Contents 4 7 8 10 14 16 18 19