Our group is interested in basic science, clinical and translational research with a particular interest in small blood vessel disease (brain, eye, spinal cord, peripheral nerves, muscles and bones) which nicely link neurosciences- musculoskeletal system and chronic diseases such as diabetes, osteoporosis, chronic renal disease, chronic heart failure, rheumatological disorders such as chronic osteoarthritis.
Psychoneuroimmunology is the key secret behind this central driven process. We are exploring the ways to mitigate this process with a view to promote better overall health through better brain health as we continue to get older and frail.
The Human Brain
Our brains are amazing.
The human brain consists of millions and millions of electrical wires which are known as axons which are covered with myelin that speeds up conduction.
To get an idea of how complex our human neurological system is – the length of these wires is equivalent to travelling around the Earth four times.
It’s thought that there are about eighty billion neurons that make up the human brain. There are then about ten trillion connections between these neurons which help us to read, write, watch, learn, plan, think, feel, move and solve problems on a daily basis.
But, right now, brain health is at a crossroads.
Disorders affecting the health of our brains continue to be the leading cause of disability globally. However, many of these brain disorders can be prevented by modifying our risk factors.
For example, worldwide, around 50 million people have dementia – but nearly 50 per cent of dementia cases can be prevented by taking steps that include maintaining a healthy weight, keeping away from smoking and too much alcohol consumption, as well as learning new hobbies.
About the Department of Neurology
The Department of Neurology provides a range of neurological services (stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, peripheral neuropathy, headache medicine, neuromuscular junction disorders) at Western Health. On site (Footscray campus) there is also a Neurosurgery Unit.
The Department of Neurology has 25 Neurology and Stroke beds located on one floor of the hospital: Ward 3E, Sunshine Hospital. The ward includes an Acute Stroke Unit comprising four beds.
More than 2000 patients are admitted to the Neurology Unit annually making it one of the busiest units in Melbourne. More than 1000 stroke patients are admitted to our stroke service annually making our stroke service the busiest in Victoria.
Ambulant care facilities allow for treatment of patients who require regular infusions for chronic neurological disorders and provide for specialised diagnostic testing.
The Department provides a consultative service to all other units at Western Health (Sunshine campus and Footscray campus).
As one of the busiest clinical neurology services in Australia set up us to be at the fore front of translational research in collaboration with other bright minds at AIMSS as well collaborators within Western Health and other institutions.
Our Research Focus
This research focuses on:
- Vitamin D and neurorehabilitation
- Stroke and osteosarcopenia
- Stroke mimics, transient ischemic attacks and sarcopenia
- Parkinson’s Disease and sarcopenia
- Migraine and gait abnormalitie
- Transient Ischemic Attacks and Cognitive Frailty
- COVID-19 and Brain
- Stroke and cognitive Frailty
- Psychoneuroimmunology and neurological disorders
