Briz Brain & Spine

In recent news, a first-in-human clinical trial has reported encouraging early results for a new T-cell therapy targeting aggressive childhood brain tumours. The treatment uses a patient’s own immune cells to target three proteins commonly found in these tumours.

In the Phase 1 trial, some patients experienced prolonged disease control, with several remaining disease-free years after treatment. While further research is needed, the results support continued investigation of multi-target T-cell therapies for difficult-to-treat brain tumours. Read more:

First-of-its-kind cell therapy clinical trial led by Children’s National shows promising long-term survival in children with aggressive brain tumors | Children's National The findings of a first-in-human clinical trial led by Children's National, published in Nature Medicine, are particularly significant given the challenges faced in treating pediatric brain tumors, which remain the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in children. The trial uses a new T-cell immun...

Inside the Brain & Spine – ever wondered why time seems to slow down in an emergency? During a frightening event, a few seconds can feel much longer. When danger is detected, the brain enters a high-alert state, sharpening attention and creating a vivid, detailed memory.

Research suggests we don’t actually process events in slow motion. Instead, the richness of the memory makes the experience seem longer when we recall it. Time doesn’t slow down. The brain simply remembers the moment as though it did.

New research has uncovered how the brain recognises smells so quickly. Scientists have identified a previously unknown "internal timer" in the brain's smell centre that helps organise scent information within a fraction of a second after a single sniff. The discovery could improve our understanding of smell loss and may eventually contribute to earlier detection of neurological conditions such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease. Read more:

Scientists discover the brain's hidden timer for smell A single sniff switches on a hidden rhythm in the human brain that acts as an internal timer, explaining how people identify odors so quickly.

Inside the Brain & Spine – Ever wondered how your brain knows the difference between something you actually saw and something you only imagined? New research suggests the brain compares the strength of these visual signals. When activity in the brain's visual processing areas is strong enough, the experience is more likely to be judged as real. This built-in "reality check" helps us distinguish the outside world from our imagination - and may also help scientists better understand conditions where that process breaks down.

Over 42% of the global population is currently living with a neurological condition, making brain disorders the leading cause of disability and ill health worldwide. This is a global crisis that demands global action.

This World Brain Day, 22 July 2026, the World Federation of Neurology invites you to support the effort toward equitable care. Register for a free global webinar to find out more: wfneurology.org/world-brain-day-webinar-registration.

New research has revealed an unexpected part of normal brain development. Scientists have discovered that as young brain cells migrate to their final positions, they briefly sustain DNA damage before rapidly repairing it. The findings suggest this is a normal part of building the developing brain and could help researchers better understand neurological conditions where these repair processes don't work as expected. Read more:

Scientists discover neurons must break their DNA to build the brain As newborn neurons make their way through the developing brain, they must squeeze through incredibly tight spaces to reach their final destinations. Researchers discovered that this physical journey routinely causes some of the most severe forms of DNA damage—double-strand breaks—yet the young b...

Inside the Brain & Spine – Have you ever heard an old song and suddenly found yourself back at a school formal, family holiday or long-forgotten road trip? That's because music activates some of the brain's most powerful memory and emotion centres.

As you listen, the auditory cortex processes the music, the hippocampus retrieves memories linked to it, and the amygdala recreates the emotions you felt at the time. At the same time, the brain's reward system releases dopamine, making favourite songs feel especially enjoyable and meaningful.

Long after we've forgotten countless everyday moments, the right song can unlock them again - reminding us that the brain doesn't just remember our lives, it remembers how they felt.

What do ALIF, TLIF and OLIF have in common? And what can a baby's laughter tell us about the developing brain?

Find out in our latest newsletter, featuring a guide to lumbar fusion surgery, a tribute to Professor Richard Scolyer, and more fascinating stories about the brain and spine.

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International Scoliosis Awareness Day, held on the last Saturday in June, highlights the importance of recognising scoliosis early. Affecting thousands of Australians, scoliosis often develops during childhood and adolescence, and its early signs can be easy to overlook. By increasing awareness, we can help more people access timely assessment, appropriate care and the support they need for the best possible outcomes. Today is a reminder to prioritise spinal health and encourage routine checks - because when it comes to scoliosis, early detection matters.

Researchers from the USA have reported promising results from a phase 1 trial of a personalised DNA vaccine for patients with a hard-to-treat form of glioblastoma. Designed using each patient's tumour genetics, the vaccine generated immune responses in almost all participants and was associated with improved survival outcomes compared with historical benchmarks.

The findings add to growing evidence that multiple immunotherapy technologies may have a role in treating glioblastoma, with personalised cancer vaccines representing a different approach to cell-based therapies such as CAR-T and T-cell therapies currently being investigated by groups including QIMR Berghofer and the Newro Foundation. You can read more here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s43018-026-01163-w