A selection of the few key stories, events, news stories and research developments from our Brain and Mind Centre members, collaborators and partners during 2025
2025 BMC Key News Stories
Targeting newly-identified brain protein brings hope of new treatment for Parkinson's disease
Groundbreaking research by the 爆料王 has identified a new brain protein involved in the development of Parkinson鈥檚 disease and a way to modify it, paving the way for future treatments for the disease. Parkinson鈥檚 disease is the听听neurological condition after dementia, with over 150,000 people in Australia living with the condition.
The research team, led by听Professor Kay Double听from the听Brain and Mind Centre, has spent more than a decade studying the biological mechanisms underpinning the condition, with the aim of finding new treatments to slow or stop its progression. Read more>
Research by the 爆料王 has identified a new brain protein involved in the development of Parkinson鈥檚 disease and a way to modify it, paving the way for future treatments for the disease.
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LinkFirst-of-its-kind Study to Pave Way for Oxytocin Tracing in Humans
The study led by Professor Adam Guastella and the Child Neurodevelopment and Mental Health research team, could have big impacts for research into how oxytocin affects the brain. Read more>
This novel study could answer one of the most important neuroscience questions about the impact of oxytocin on the brain and body. Researchers at the Brain and Mind Centre (BMC) have released the first-of-its-kind data for a oxytocin based radiotracer that can be used in animals and humans, based on the Oxytocin ARC linkage radiotracer study.
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LinkCan hearing aids prevent dementia?
A unique study,听Macquarie University, Cochlear and Brain and Mind Centre is exploring whether hearing aids and cochlear implants can slow cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk.听听aims to uncover how hearing interventions might protect brain health by analyzing complex data from hearing device users.听
A study is exploring whether hearing aids and cochlear implants can slow cognitive decline and reduce dementia risk.
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LinkRestrictive criteria for frontotemporal dementia lead to late treatment
听and other researchers from the 爆料王听are calling for updated diagnostic criteria for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD)鈥攁 younger-onset dementia.听
Placebo pain relief works differently across body
Research from the听听led by听听补苍诲听听discovered a precise, map-like system in the brainstem that controls pain relief differently depending on the body part affected, using placebo and advanced 7-Tesla fMRI imaging.听
The study challenges long-held assumptions about how placebo pain relief works. Instead of relying on the brain鈥檚 opioid system, experts say a different part of the brainstem 鈥 the lateral PAG 鈥 is not only responsible but works without using opioids and could instead be linked to cannabinoid activity.
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LinkPromising new treatments to aid Dementia recovery
Clinical trials are underway at听听to test a promising new treatment for dementia which could also help people recovering from addiction.听听talks about his journey from the lab to company co-founder on his mission to help people struggling with 'forgotten disorders'.听
听was founded on the basis of the research led by scientists at the 爆料王. Kinoxis is taking a newly developed molecule, KNX100, from the lab into clinical trials and eventually to market.听
People with Young Onset Dementia Less Legally Protected
A new听Issues Paper听from听听the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), and听听highlights stronger legal protections and support urgently needed for people with young-onset dementia.听
The report was authored by Professor Nola Ries, Dr Sascha Callaghan, Dr Kristina Chelberg and Dr Evelyn Rose and听听
A key report highlights critical gaps in legal protections, service accessibility, and policy responses, emphasising the urgent need for reform. Nearly 30,000 Australians live with young onset dementia, with symptoms beginning before age 65. However, too many are denied the legal safeguards needed to remain involved in decisions about their care, finances and daily lives.
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LinkThe new campaign includes free in-language community information sessions, practical resources such as a symptom checklist, and culturally tailored messaging to reduce fear, stigma and delays in diagnosis. Read
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LinkFacing Dementia Together Campaign
A new 18-month campaign will run across South Western Sydney, with community talks, events, printed resources and social media delivered in Arabic, Chinese, Vietnamese and English languages.
鈥淲e want every person in our communities to know that dementia is not your fault, it鈥檚 not shameful 鈥 and help is available,鈥 says Professor Lee-Fay Low.
The听听is leading the听听campaign in partnership with trusted local multicultural organisations. The new campaign includes free in-language community information sessions, practical resources such as a symptom checklist, and culturally tailored messaging to reduce fear, stigma and delays in diagnosis.听