Briz Brain & Spine

29/09/2026

A breakthrough from across the ditch! NZ researchers have made a world-first discovery that could improve understanding of X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism (XDP), a rare inherited brain disorder that causes progressive problems with movement. Researchers from the University of Auckland’s Centre for Brain Research have mapped how degeneration occurs within the striatum – an area of the brain involved in controlling movement – revealing a distinctive pattern that appears to progress with the disease. The findings provide scientists with a clearer picture of what happens in the brain in XDP and could help pave the way for future research into treatments. Read more:

X-linked dystonia-parkinsonism, or XDP, gradually damages parts of the brain involved in controlling movement.

22/09/2026

Inside the Brain & Spine – did you know that the spinal cord isn’t the same width all the way down? It becomes wider in the neck and lower-back regions, forming the cervical and lumbar enlargements. These areas contain additional nerve cells and connections needed to send movement instructions to - and receive sensory information from - the arms and legs. Like any complex machine, the parts controlling the most intricate movements need a little extra wiring!

20/09/2026

Today is World Alzheimer’s Day. This year’s theme, “The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters,” highlights the importance of recognising the signs of dementia and seeking assessment.

An earlier diagnosis can help people access appropriate treatment, care and support, while providing more opportunity to understand the condition and plan for the future. World Alzheimer’s Day is also an opportunity to improve understanding of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia and challenge the stigma that can surround a diagnosis.

15/09/2026

Inside the Brain & Spine – imagine you’re a tennis player. You step up to the line, bounce the ball and serve. The racquet connects perfectly, almost as though it’s part of your body. In a sense, it is. With repeated use, the brain temporarily adjusts its working map of the body to include a tool’s length and reach, helping you move it accurately through the space around you. The racquet doesn’t literally become part of you, but when planning movement, your brain may treat it as though it has.

09/09/2026

R U OK?

Sometimes a simple conversation can make a real difference. Ask R U OK? Listen. Encourage action. And check again. You don’t need to be an expert – just a good listener.

A conversation could change a life.

01/09/2026

What happens when a scan finds something you weren’t expecting? In our latest Briz Brain & Spine newsletter, we look at incidental findings – abnormalities that can sound concerning on a scan but don’t always require treatment. We also follow the journey of a young patient diagnosed with a brain tumour, explore some fascinating quirks of the brain, and take a look at artificial neurons that can communicate with living brain cells.

25/08/2026

Inside the Brain & Spine - plane, train, automobile…and definitely boats! Motion sickness can strike in almost any vehicle, particularly when you’re trying to read or navigate. It occurs when your eyes say you’re sitting still while the vestibular system in your inner ear detects movement. These conflicting signals can trigger dizziness, nausea and sweating. Perhaps being the navigator isn’t the ideal job after all!

18/08/2026

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:

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...

11/08/2026

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.

04/08/2026

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:

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.