Media release from the Neurological Foundation

The Neurological Foundation's Annual Appeal week starts next Sunday, so watch out for the satirical TV ad campaign featuring neuroscientists washing cars to raise funds for their research. The reality of the campaign's underlying message however is not at all humorous; funding for brain research is needed more than ever to improve the outcomes for the growing number of New Zealanders being diagnosed with neurological disorders.

The world's population is ageing rapidly and with it the incidence of the more than 1100 known neurological disorders. In the not-too-distant future enormous resources will be required to adequately care for people afflicted with conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's and motor neuron diseases, stroke, epilepsy, migraine, multiple sclerosis, and traumatic brain injury. Currently, the treatment options for these disorders are extremely limited and cures do not yet exist. However, research carried out by New Zealand's world-leading neuroscientists, and funded by the Neurological Foundation, has provided extraordinary insight into brain disease, illustrating the global significance of the dedicated work being carried out in this country. This work provides hope for the one in five New Zealanders who will experience a brain disorder in their lifetime.

Without adequate investment in ongoing research many of these insights may never translate into clinical treatments, so appeal week's tongue-in-cheek spin on fundraising literally poses the question: "Imagine if neuroscientists really had to rely on car washes to fund brain research?" Every dollar donated during the Neurological Foundation's appeal week helps to support brain research projects throughout the country; each year two grant rounds fund approximately 40 research projects into disorders covering the
neurological spectrum.

University of Auckland neuroscientist Dr Cathy Stinear (pictured right), who features on this year's Foundation appeal envelope, says: "We know that our population is ageing rapidly and as neuroscientists we know the consequences of that, so it is crucial, both socially and economically, for us to be able to continue the advances we have made with our research. We're committed to finding the best possible treatments for these debilitating disorders - and beyond that, to finding ways to prevent them. For us, the Neurological Foundation has been a lifeline."

The Neurological Foundation is the primary non-government sponsor of neurological research and its funding has facilitated many of New Zealand's top neuroscientists' pioneering breakthroughs (see next page). Without the ongoing support of individual New Zealanders the Foundation could not commit to progressing research to the high level that it does. Ninety-eight per cent of funding comes from donations and bequests.

The Neurological Foundation's Annual Appeal Week runs from Sunday 4 July to Saturday 10 July. Look out for the appeal envelope in your letterbox or at your local Mitre 10 store - you can also donate online at www.brain.org.nz

The might of our best brains

Many of New Zealand's leading neuroscientists have received research sponsorship or grants from the Neurological Foundation. Our scientists are amongst the best in the world and continue to create headlines with their innovative work. Here are a few snapshots of some recent advances in their research:

• Recognised internationally as a leading expert on neurodegenerative diseases of the brain, Professor Richard Faull's research team provided the first real evidence that the diseased human brain can repair itself with the generation of new cells. Professor Faull is Director of the Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank and the Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland.

• Dr Cathy Stinear is a clinical neuroscientist and senior lecturer at the University of Auckland. Her research focuses on how the brain adapts after injury and disease. She is part of a team that recently created a world-first; the team used non-invasive brain stimulation, prior to physical therapy, to stimulate activity on the damaged side of the brain of stroke patients. The combined therapy improved movement in the affected hand of the patients - a great result which could become an effective rehabilitation technique for stroke survivors. Dr Stinear has close links with the Neurological Foundation and is a member of their Scientific Advisory Committee

• Associate Professor Bronwen Connor is head of the Neural Repair and Neurogenesis laboratory at Auckland University. Over the last decade her research has focused on creating a better understanding of adult brain stem cells and the promise they hold for the treatments of neurodegenerative disorders. Associate Professor Conner and her team are currently investigating how to direct new brain cells to areas of brain injury and disease; this has enormous potential to limit or reverse critical damage caused by head injuries and neurological disorders

• Dr Louise Parr-Brownlie is a Research Fellow at the University of Otago. Her upcoming research will literally shed new light on our understanding of dysfunctional brain activity underlying movement deficits of Parkinson's disease, with the potential to improve current treatments or direct the development of new treatments. Dr Parr-Brownlie's project will begin in earnest in October 2010.

The Neurological Foundation of New Zealand

The Neurological Foundation is an independent body and charitable trust that raises funds to ensure this country's top neuroscientists can continue leading-edge research into neurological disorders.

The Foundation shares a noble vision with these scientists: to progress research so that significant advances can be made in the prevention, treatment and cure of neurological disorders. One day this will greatly reduce the level of suffering and premature death from diseases of the brain and nervous system - Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Huntington's diseases, migraine, stroke and multiple sclerosis to name just a few.

The Foundation also funds valuable educational initiatives such as Brain Awareness Week (www.brainweek.co.nz) and provides its members and the wider public with information about the latest advances in neurological disorder prevention and research.

If you would like to know more about the work of the Neurological Foundation,
or if you require information regarding neurological conditions,
contact the national office on (09) 309 7749 or visit www.neurological.org.nz