Brain Foundation

05/06/2026

Research can't wait ⌛

Over 446,000 Australian families are currently facing the heartbreak of dementia - and this number will grow to over one million by 2065 without a significant breakthrough.

There’s still time to make a difference.

Make a tax-deductible donation before June 30 and help fast-track neurological research that delivers answers, better outcomes, and hope for families like Pascale’s.

Visit this link to make a secure donation:
https://qrco.de/giveEOFY26

04/06/2026

Imagine you are fully conscious, awake, and capable of thinking, but you can't move any part of your body except your eyes.

This is the reality of Locked-In Syndrome (LiS) - a rare neurological disorder resulting from damage to the pons (brainstem).

Shannan Keen is a neuroscientist and LiS manager at the Brain Foundation. This article in The Australian features two stories of real people living with LiS and insights from Shannan's decades-long experience in the field - bringing light to a rare and isolating condition.

In 2012, Shannan established the Australian Register for Disorders of Consciousness (ARDoC) to serve patients with severe consciousness impairments, including coma, vegetative states, and LiS.

In 2022, she established an annual LiS conference. An international event that brings together leading specialists, researchers, and patients. The 2026 event is coming up soon, on June 8th. It is free and held on Zoom. Find out more information at the link in the comments.

Those with locked-in syndrome have fully active minds but cannot move or speak. A Sydney University researcher has helped some to tell their stories: https://bit.ly/4a0ZifI

03/06/2026

What do brain freeze and migraine have to do with each other? 🍦
What new blood marker could help diagnose concussion in older adults? 🩸
Why might we yawn? 🥱

This and more in the May Neuro News Wrap. Swipe to read.

02/06/2026

Who has played along while watching Letters and Numbers on SBS? 📺

Today's will get those maths cogs turning.

If you aren't familiar with the game...
🎯 Your goal is to reach the target of 332 using the six number tiles provided. You can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Constraints:
➡️ Each tile can be used only once. Fractions are not allowed at any step, and the running total must never go negative. You do not have to use all six numbers.

You might need to grab a pen and paper for this one. Did you solve it?

Let us know in the comments!

31/05/2026

Pascale didn't lose her mum, Ingrid, all at once. She has lost her little by little for 15 years.

Too many Australian families know the heartbreak of the long goodbye. The living grief of dementia.

Please, if you can, share or make a tax-deductible gift to brain research before June 30 and join the fight against this cruel disease.

Link in comments to support 💚

Thank you, Pascale, for sharing your story.

29/05/2026

Today is World Multiple Sclerosis Day (MS).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the fatty coating around nerves. This disrupts signals between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to symptoms like loss of motor function.

Dr Izanne Roos is one of our 2025 Brain Foundation grant recipients. Her team at Royal Melbourne Hospital are investigating the efficacy of a type of treatment called anti-CD20 therapies.

You can read more about her project on our website 🔎

27/05/2026

Brain cancer is unforgiving. Glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer, carries a median survival of just 15 months.

Despite decades of research, treatment options and survival rates have remained largely unchanged.

But that picture is beginning to shift. Across Australia, researchers are approaching glioblastoma from new angles – and the Brain Foundation is proud to have supported their work.

Read the full article on our website under articles and news.

Grey May is Brain Cancer and Brain Tumour Awareness Month. 🩶🤍

26/05/2026

Happy , everyone! Are you ready for a challenge?

This week's puzzle: What am I - Science & Nature Edition. 🌿🌳

Drop your guesses in the comments, and send them to a friend to challenge them.

25/05/2026

Smiles all around for some fresh buzzcuts and bobs 💇‍♀️

A huge thank you to the wonderful McCarthy Catholic College in Tamworth for their annual Shave for Macklin event. Held in memory of beloved McCarthy student Macklin Innes, who tragically passed away from a brain condition in 2022, the day was a great celebration of community and hope.

“Macklin was a big part of our school and has left a legacy of not only kindness but also unwavering compassion that had a genuine impact on those around him.”

Students, staff, family and supporters came together to raise an incredible $15,000 for vital cerebrovascular research.

We couldn’t be prouder of everyone involved. Your ongoing support makes a real difference.💚