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Headlines – Special Edition 10 Looking to the future More than $3Mawarded to neuroscience We’re proud to share the range of projects and people funded in our latest grant round. Fromrare genetic disorders to themost common neurological conditions; largemulti-year projects to targeted studies; and emerging researchers to leading neuroscientists; these grants cover the full spectrumof brain research inNewZealand. Of the 103 applicationswe received, 27were selected to receive a share of $3.2M. This includes three Summer Studentships, featured in the previous issue of Headlines . We are excited to share the remaining 24 funded projects below. Congratulations to all successful applicants. We look forward to watching the progress of your vital research. Project Grants Migraine Dr Fiona Imlach University of Otago, Wellington $299,906 International research suggests migraine is oftenmisdiagnosed or mistreated, particularly amongminority groups. Migraine affects around 753,000 people inNewZealand, causing significant pain and disability, and impacting people’s ability to participate inwork, family and social life. This study will use national health data to identify who ismissing out on appropriatemigraine diagnosis and treatment inNew Zealand to improvemigrainemanagement, reduce hospital admissions and enable further research. Neonatal seizures Dr Cynthia Sharpe Starship Children’s Health Health NZ Te Toka Tumai $290,543 Seizures affect around one in every 300 babies born in New Zealand and can be associated with lifelong developmental disabilities and epilepsy. The only approved treatment, phenobarbital, has significant side effects, and better treatments are urgently needed. This study will support New Zealand’s participation in an international clinical trial of levetiracetam, a potentially safer medication. The findings could lead to changes in neonatal seizure treatment, allowing babies with mild to moderate seizures to avoid the side effects of current therapy. Parkinson’s disease Dr Sarah Perry University of Otago, Christchurch $289,373 People with Parkinson’s disease often experience problems with swallowing and coughing, which can lead to pneumonia – a common cause of death in Parkinson’s. While treatments usually focus on swallowing, cough strength is often overlooked, despite it being a good predictor of swallowing strength. This study will test a new smartphone-based approach that uses artificial intelligence to assess cough function. If effective, the technology could enable simple, at- home screening and earlier intervention for people with Parkinson’s and other neurological conditions. Mood disorders Dr Rosemary Brown and Dr Jenny Clarkson University of Otago $272,851 Up to three-quarters of women experience neurological symptoms during the transition tomenopause, known as perimenopause, with depression and anxiety among themost distressing and poorly understood. This research focuses on estradiol, a hormone that declines during perimenopause. When estradiol levels drop, the brainmay rewire, leading tomood disorders. Using amousemodel, this study will explore how andwhere estradiol acts in the brain andwhether replacing it during perimenopause can restore normal brain function.