Centre for brain research highlights

1 Sheep brains

In a uniquely Kiwi experiment, human brain tissue from Huntington’s patients has been implanted in sheep brains in Australia. This allows researchers to see whether the gene can be manipulated or “turned down”, which would slow the onset of the debilitating disease.

2 Plasticity

Researchers discovered that brain cells could be generated throughout life — rather than just lost. That means patients can be made healthier and debilitating symptoms can be slowed by stimulating the brain — like social activity, music or reading.

3 CeleBRration Choir

Every Monday, a group of stroke and Alzheimer’s patients who have speech defects get together in Auckland to sing for two or three hours. Because speech comes from the left hemisphere of the brain, and music generally comes from the right, singing can activate the damaged part of their brain and help them recover speech.

4 Alzheimer’s clinics

The centre is trying to slow the onset of Alzheimer’s at the earliest possible stage. Researchers use MRIs, blood tests, and lifestyle changes to see if a patient’s symptoms can be slowed so they sustain quality of life.

5 Hope

Sometimes the simple knowledge that a brain disorder is being researched has a therapeutic effect on a patient and their families. For that reason, the centre does as much outreach as possible, sending its PhD graduates out to talk to families and patients.