NeuRA Magazine #31

WHAT’S IN THIS ISSUE

The Summer 2019 issue of the NeuRA Magazine (#31) highlights the story of Larissa Richards. Aged in her forties, the mother of two was recently diagnosed with young-onset Parkinson’s disease.

Other stories include:

Twins to help unlock the secrets of mental health
Study finds air pollution linked to dementia
How to help someone with anxiety
Colour Your Hair for Mental Health Week

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Enjoy and thanks for all your interest and support of our critical work here at NeuRA.

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See what’s going on at NeuRA

FEEL THE BUZZ IN THE AIR? US TOO.

The importance of medical research - Professor Peter Schofield AO

On August 11 2019, 54 people took on the City2Surf for Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA). The event is the world’s largest fun run with 80,000 participants taking on the 14km course, which stretches from Hyde Park in central Sydney to the iconic Bondi Beach. NeuRA thanks all of its fundraisers, who raised an incredible $30,903. This funding will further NeuRA’s […]

Gabrielle Hunter

NeuRA BLOG: Team NeuRA at the City2Surf 2019

The world doesn’t open up in the same way to someone with schizophrenia.

Over the last 18 months, the world has been a different place. Isolation has become common, and there have been many barriers to maintaining a regular routine. For people with a mental illness like schizophrenia, regular appointments and routine are vital to their wellbeing. And as we slowly return to ‘normal’, the world doesn’t open up in the same way to someone with schizophrenia.

NeuRA Seminar Series 2021

New trial aims to reduce frailty and improve mental health by connecting older Australians and preschoolers

Cortical activity during balance tasks in ageing and clinical groups using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

Prof Stephen Lord, Dr Jasmine Menant Walking is not automatic and requires attention and brain processing to maintain balance and prevent falling over. Brain structure and function deteriorate with ageing and neurodegenerative disorders, in turn impacting both cognitive and motor functions. This series of studies will investigate: How do age and/or disease- associated declines in cognitive functions affect balance control? How is this further impacted by psychological, physiological and medical factors (eg. fear, pain, medications)? How does the brain control these balance tasks? Approach The experiments involve experimental paradigms that challenge cognitive functions of interest (eg.visuo-spatial working memory, inhibitory function). I use functional near-infrared spectroscopy to study activation in superficial cortical regions of interest (eg. prefrontal cortex, supplementary motor area…). The studies involve young and older people as well as clinical groups (eg.Parkinson’s disease). Studies Cortical activity during stepping and gait adaptability tasks Effects of age, posture and task condition on cortical activity during reaction time tasks Influence of balance challenge and concern about falling on brain activity during walking Influence of lower limb pain/discomfort on brain activity during stepping This research will greatly improve our understanding of the interactions between brain capacity, functions and balance control across ageing and diseases, psychological, physiological and medical factors, allows to identify targets for rehabilitation. It will also help identifying whether exercise-based interventions improve neural efficiency for enhanced balance control.

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