The strength of brain research in New Zealand, and at the University of Otago – Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka in particular, will be highlighted thanks to an international partnership with a global mission.
The University, in conjunction with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the European Commission, has just been named as the New Zealand host of a Horizon Europe Brain Health Partnership.
The 10-year partnership will help bring together transdisciplinary teams to improve brain health research and treatment.
Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie
Professor Louise Parr-Brownlie, of Otago's Department of Anatomy, will co-lead it with Associate Professor Justin Dean of Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland.
She says the initiative will not only amplify the country's brain research excellence but will improve the lives of New Zealanders.
"We all want to lead full and rewarding lives, and to age positively. Yet, neurological and mental health disorders are leading causes of disability and mortality globally, and these conditions change the way people, and their family, live their life.
"Research that improves brain health, finds better treatments of disorders, and reduces the need to access healthcare systems, improves the quality of life for individuals and also supports productivity and growth of New Zealand's economy.
"This partnership is an investment in the future of brain research in New Zealand to ensure citizens have access to the best future therapies."
Associate Professor Dean agrees.
"This is an amazing opportunity for New Zealand scientists to be involved in research on the global stage, and to develop and strengthen ties between the New Zealand and European neuroscience communities, with the ultimate goal to improve brain health," he says.
Under the partnership, New Zealand has a small funding pool to support research teams to join large consortia across the globe.
The Ministry of Health provided $500,000 which will enable researchers to collaborate with new people, be exposed to new ways of thinking and problem solving, and access datasets and research infrastructure that aren't available in New Zealand.
"It means we get to sit at the tables that decide what problems need to be urgently solved and fund the research that will provide answers and solutions," Associate Professor Dean says.
Otago's Director Research and Enterprise Dr Martin Gagnon says brain research is strong and embedded across the University.
By hosting the partnership, that expertise will be highlighted to 53 funding agencies in more than 30 countries in the European Union and across the globe.
"Brain health is one of the defining research and public health challenges of our time. Conditions such as dementia, stroke, and neurodegenerative disease have profound impacts on individuals, families, and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand, and are projected to increase significantly as our population ages.
"Addressing these challenges requires international collaboration at scale, linking our unique research strengths and population insights with leading global initiatives," he says.
Professor Parr-Brownlie says teamwork is key to finding real-world solutions, such as new ways to deliver health services, detect brain changes or develop new treatments, to improve brain health.
"Researchers in a single country are unlikely to solve this important and complex problem – significant progress will be made when the best researchers across brain research disciplines form large, transdisciplinary teams that include people living with brain conditions, advocates, technology specialist and industry."
She is honoured to be co-leading the partnership, which she says is about creating opportunities for others.
"It has a strong mission to empower people living with brain conditions to drive the research agenda and decide what should be funded, which aligns with my values, and my previous experience of being the Director of the Ageing Well National Science Challenge.
"Research needs to answer questions and find solutions to problems that the New Zealand public has. New Zealand health researchers are world leaders at delivering equitable, person-centric research that improves people's lives – this partnership provides a powerful way to do just that."
