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Distinguished Professor Cliff Abraham has always enjoyed puzzles. So when, as a young psychology undergraduate, he encountered one of the most puzzling areas of brain research – how the brain forms memories – he knew he wanted to help solve it. “It really struck me that there was mystery surrounding memory formation,” says Cliff. “It’s all very well that people can learn and remember things, but how the brain actually achieves this was a fascinating puzzle.” That question would go on to shape his career. Cliff’s academic journey has taken him from a psychology undergraduate in the United States in the 1970s to a Distinguished Professorship at the University of Otago. Now, after a lifetime of work advancing neuroscience and our understanding of memory, Cliff is heading into retirement. Over his career, Cliff has made notable contributions to our understanding of how the brain learns and remembers. He coined the termmetaplasticity to describe how past experiences shape the brain’s capacity to change, opening up entirely new avenues of research into howmemory works. He has played a central role in growing brain research at the University of Otago, establishing key research initiatives, securing $35Mof funding for brain research, and mentoring generations of neuroscientists. Message from the Chief Executive Kia ora koutou, By the time you read this, I’ll have just completed a 17,000-plus-kilometre journey around Australia via motorbike, honoring my father’s legacy and raising funds for two Neurological Foundation summer studentships along the way. Dad was a teacher, and always wanted to give young people opportunities in life. About five years ago he had a stroke, which robbed him of his short-termmemory. Eventually he passed away in 2024 from complications. For me, inspiring young people to take up neurological research – and, perhaps, help further reduce the impacts of stroke – is a tangible link to Dad. In our lives, if we’re lucky, we find ourselves in leadership roles where we can guide others in positive ways. In turn, we’ve all been mentored and guided by someone else. My father, obviously, was an important influence on me. This issue of Headlines celebrates someone who helped me at an important time at the Foundation – Distinguished Professor Cliff Abraham. In 2017, when I was new in my role as CEO of the Neurological Foundation, I had the good fortune of meeting Cliff. A world- renowned expert in the mechanisms of memory, his modesty disguised his amazing accomplishments. He was not only welcoming, but also generous with his time and keen to share insights, knowledge and the important role the Foundation plays in supporting the neuroscience community in New Zealand. Now, as Cliff enters a well-earned retirement, I’d like to gratefully acknowledge the support he has shown me for nearly a decade. I’m proud to say that I think of him as a learned colleague, guide and advocate for all we do. Like all relationships, your connection with the Foundation is very special. Together, we are ensuring great research can continue right here in New Zealand. In the following pages, along with a tribute to Cliff, you’ll read about some exciting new research investment. You’ll also hear fromCliff himself about the importance of supporting our science community. On that note, I want to say a huge thank you. So many of you responded generously to our Headlines 150th special edition, and we couldn’t be more grateful – especially given the challenging times we find ourselves in. The road is long, but it’s wonderful to know that we’re on this journey together. Mā te wā, Rich Easton, CEO Contents 3 A walk down memory lane: a look back at the extraordinary career of Distinguished Professor Cliff Abraham 7 Memory explained: questions and answers 9 Opinion: the state of neuroscience funding in NZ 11 A $1M investment in drug discovery 16 Nasal delivery: a newway to treat brain cancer? 18 Removing guilt: the relief of a diagnosis Headlines is a Neurological Foundation publication. Editor Danelle Clayton Contributor Cliff Abraham Design Bigtime Productions Photo credits Pages 3-10 (except family photos on page 4 and biking photo page 8) - Michael McQueen Photographer. Page 13 - Media Productions University of Auckland. Pages 16 - 17 - Dean Carruthers. 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 teamwould 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 CharitiesCommissionRegisteredNo. CC 10341 Patron, Her Excellency, theRight Honourable DameCindy Kiro, DNZM, QSO, Governor-General of NewZealand. A walk down memory lane Distinguished Professor Cliff Abraham, a world-leading neuroscientist whose work on memory has shaped the field in New Zealand and internationally, is retiring from his role at the University of Otago. Cliff has spent decades building brain research there and across the country. He has been supported, either as a principal investigator or named investigator, by $1,947,515 in Neurological Foundation funding across his career, amplifying his funding from other sources, and his research achievements. Puzzling it out: Cliff with student Andre Morice. 2 Headlines 3 Headlines