The research we fund

Is Mild Behavioural Impairment associated with blood-derived markers of neuropathology in Parkinson's disease?

Lack of motivation and interest is commonly experienced by patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This project explores whether these early behavioural changes can signal future dementia. It will examine blood samples from 200 PD patients to see if apathy is linked to known biomarkers. If these markers, combined with apathy, predict faster cognitive decline, this research could help doctors identify people at higher risk of dementia earlier, leading to better monitoring and potential treatments to improve quality of life for those living with PD.

Supervised by Dr Campbell Le Heron

Can Etanercept Prevent Cortical Brain injury in Preterm Fetal Sheep?

Low oxygen can cause brain injury in premature babies and lead to lifelong disabilities. This research aims to find out how a drug called Etanercept can protect the brain. The team have already seen promising results in protecting the brain's 'wiring' in animal models. This project will confirm whether Etanercept also protects brain cells, and how it affects inflammation and growth. If Etanercept is shown to reduce damage and improve brain development, this could lead to new treatments that help prevent long-term problems like cerebral palsy and learning difficulties in babies born too early.

Supervised by Dr Ben Lear and Dr Victoria King

The Impact of CTP and Telestroke Workflow Changes

Strokes require rapid specialist guided treatment. For patients in non-urban areas, specialists can remotely guide treatments via ‘telestroke’, which can involve phone calls between doctors, or a full patient video assessment. This research aims to find the best way to deliver urgent stroke care in New Zealand, comparing telestroke and standard care, to see which leads to faster treatment and better patient outcomes. By analysing national stroke data, the goal is to identify the most efficient and cost-effective model of care to guide New Zealand stroke services.

Supervised by Professor Anna Ranta