Parkinson research improving quality of life for thousands

In a relationship which has spanned nearly six decades, funding from the NeuroSurgical Research Foundation (NRF) has been instrumental to the University delivering significant research findings and improving health outcomes and quality of life for thousands of people. 

Most recently, the NRF provided essential seed funding for Associate Professor Lyndsey Collins-Praino’s research into the link between Traumatic Brain Injury Research (TBI) and Parkinson’s Disease (the second most common neurodegenerative disease in Australia, effecting 1 in 308 nationally). 

President of the NRF, Dr Glenn McCulloch said TBI has been the leading area of research for the NRF since its inception in 1963, with the University and Professor Collins-Praino delivering high quality research in this space. 

This early seed funding from the NRF was critical in Associate Professor Collins-Praino and her team being able to secure a nearly $2 million Medical Research Future Fund grant this year to investigate the brain mechanisms that predict the risk of developing either long-term impairment or Parkinson’s disease following a TBI. 

Associate Professor Collins-Praino views this research as critical, since it has the potential to lead to a significant shift in how individuals are treated clinically following a TBI. 

"If we can predict who is at risk for long-term impairment, we can work towards truly personalised treatment plans." Associate Professor Collins-Praino said. 

We are extremely grateful to the NRF and the James and Diana Ramsay Foundation who provided the critical seed funding that helped us to get this project off the ground.Associate Professor Lyndsey Collins-Praino