Podcasts about Neuroscience Research Australia

One in five people in Australia and New Zealand will experience chronic pain at some stage in their lives; and it's recognised as a major global health issue. Unrelieved pain can affect every area of a person's life with major social, financial and emotional consequences. Researchers at the University of New South Wales and Neuroscience Research Australia have done a randomised trial focusing on the experiences of people with chronic pain - and the role emotional processing plays in managing chronic pain conditions. Professor Lorimer Moseley is a professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of South Australia and the Chair of PainAdelaide. In this episode of Weekend One on One, he spoke with Peggy Giakoumelos on the role of psychology in chronic pain management.

I'm joined by board-certified general surgeon Dr. Lee Howard, who walked away from traditional medicine. Why he feels traditional medicine doesn't really help its patients plus we cover what supplements are good for everyone to take, how to navigate allergy season with kids, what the heck the MTHFR gene is, how we should be approaching our kids' health, why were gonna start to hear more and more about creatine, ways we can help the aging process, plus perimenopause and menopause- how to minimize symptoms and recognize when we start to enter that stage. And we cover once and for all what those silly eye twitches are from. Clip 3: Low Testosterone and Alzheimer's RiskMost people think of testosterone as a hormone that just affects sex drive or muscle mass. But the brain is actually one of its biggest targets. A massive 2023 study from the University of Sydney looked at older men and found something shocking: men with low testosterone had a 26% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. And we're not talking about late-stage life—these patterns start decades earlier. Testosterone helps regulate inflammation in the brain, supports memory circuits, and even promotes the growth of new neural connections. When levels drop too low, especially without being noticed, the brain becomes more vulnerable to decline. Here's the kicker: most men never get their levels checked. And if they do, the 'normal range' is often outdated or way too broad. What's normal for a 75-year-old is not what you want at 45. I've had women come in concerned about their partner's mood, irritability, even motivation—and it turns out his testosterone was tanked. If you're in a long-term relationship and your partner is acting like a different person, you're not imagining it. And getting his hormones evaluated might be the missing link to helping him feel like himself again—and preventing cognitive decline down the line.Study source: University of Sydney & Neuroscience Research Australia (2023)https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/alz.1252Clip 5: Gut Health and MoodThere's a direct, two-way communication line between your gut and your brain—and researchers now believe that the gut may play just as much of a role in mental health as the brain itself. A major review from 2024 showed that people with poor gut diversity were significantly more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety, even when diet and lifestyle were controlled. Why? Because 90% of your serotonin is actually made in your gut. If your microbiome is inflamed or out of balance, your body literally has fewer raw materials to make feel-good brain chemicals. On top of that, gut inflammation sends stress signals to your brain—keeping you in a low-level “fight or flight” state, even when nothing's wrong. And if you've ever felt brain fog, irritability, or sadness after a weekend of sugar and alcohol… this is why. What's exciting is how quickly you can make a shift. Just increasing your fiber, adding fermented foods, or taking the right probiotic can make a measurable difference in just a few weeks. This isn't woo. This is the future of psychiatry. And if you've done therapy, made lifestyle changes, but still don't feel right—check your gut. It might be where your healing needs to start.Study source: Review from the Polish Society of Gastroenterology (2024)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11811453Clip 8: Hormone Imbalances and MarriageYou'd be shocked how many couples come into my office thinking they have a communication problem—when what they really have is a hormone problem. He's irritable, unmotivated, maybe withdrawing. She's exhausted, anxious, snapping at small things. They think they've grown apart. They think the spark is gone. But when we test their hormones—testosterone, cortisol, DHEA, thyroid—what we find is that their biochemistry is off. And once we start restoring balance, everything shifts. The mood improves. The intimacy returns. The little things don't feel so overwhelming. We now have solid evidence that hormonal health directly impacts emotional regulation, sexual desire, and even empathy. And if both partners are dysregulated, it can feel like the marriage is falling apart—when really, it's just that their physiology is out of sync. This isn't a relationship failure. It's a hormone crisis. And once you name it, you can fix it. I've seen couples on the brink of divorce completely turn things around—because we stopped blaming each other and started healing their bodies.Study source: APA + American Journal of Men's Health (2023–24)https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15579883231166518Clip 11: Whole Milk in Schools Might Actually Be SmarterFor decades, schools have pushed low-fat or skim milk, based on outdated beliefs about fat and weight. But new evidence is flipping that script. A growing body of research now shows that children who drink whole milk are actually less likely to be overweight than those drinking low-fat milk. Why? Because fat makes food more satisfying. It helps with blood sugar regulation and keeps kids fuller longer—so they're less likely to snack on junk later. In 2025, there's increasing pushback from pediatricians and nutrition researchers against the one-size-fits-all low-fat approach. Some school districts are already considering bringing whole milk back, and they're seeing better nutrition outcomes. Whole milk also contains essential nutrients like vitamin D and calcium in more bioavailable forms, especially when paired with fat. It's time we stop fearing fat—especially when the data shows that cutting it hasn't actually reduced childhood obesity. In fact, we may have made things worse. So if your kid likes whole milk, don't feel guilty. It might just be the more nourishing option after all.Study source: Associated Press report (2025)https://apnews.com/article/e4868fdc2dc4e85aeb9375edcd27da49Clip 13: Hormone Fluctuations and Depression in WomenOne of the biggest blind spots in women's health is how powerful hormone fluctuations are—especially on mood. A 2025 study published in Biomedical Reports found that estrogen and progesterone shifts during puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and perimenopause play a massive role in rates of depression. This isn't just anecdotal. These hormonal changes alter brain chemistry, sensitivity to stress, and even how the body processes trauma. In puberty, many girls who were previously confident begin to struggle with mood and self-esteem—but instead of checking hormones, we tell them to tough it out. In postpartum, we're finally starting to talk about depression more—but the hormonal crash that happens after birth still catches most women off guard. And in perimenopause, where mood swings and anxiety often resurface, women are still too often told it's “just part of aging.” It's not. It's biology. And the good news is, once you understand that hormones are a major player, you can treat the root cause instead of just masking symptoms. Whether it's bioidentical therapy, lifestyle shifts, or targeted nutrients, women deserve to know that their brains and their hormones are on the same team—and that relief is possible.Study source: Biomedical Reports (2025)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40083602Clip 14: Social Media Changes Teen Brain WiringWe now have MRI data showing that the more often a teen checks social media, the more their brain becomes wired for external validation. In a study from UNC Chapel Hill, researchers found that teens who compulsively checked platforms like Instagram or Snapchat showed measurable changes in the brain's reward centers. These areas lit up more intensely over time, meaning their brains were becoming increasingly sensitive to likes, comments, and digital attention. This isn't just about being distracted. It's about a neurological shift in what they find rewarding—and that shift can impact everything from self-worth to emotional regulation. The researchers even found that this pattern predicts increased anxiety and depression, especially in girls. And it makes sense—when your self-esteem is tied to a number on a screen, even a small drop in engagement feels like social rejection. So what can parents do? First, understand that this isn't just 'teen stuff.' This is brain development. Second, set tech boundaries that prioritize boredom, creativity, and real-life interaction. Even a two-week break can reset the system. Social media isn't going away—but we have to teach kids how to use it without letting it rewire them.Study source: UNC-Chapel Hill (2023)https://www.unc.edu/posts/2023/01/03/study-shows-habitual-checking-of-social-media-may-impact-young-adolescents-brain-developmenClip 16: Screen Time and Toddlers' SleepSleep is how toddlers consolidate memory, regulate mood, and grow both physically and neurologically. But more and more research is showing that screen exposure—even if it's 'educational'—can seriously disrupt toddler sleep. A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that children ages 2 to 5 who used screens within an hour of bedtime had shorter total sleep and more fragmented rest. Blue light delays melatonin production. Fast-paced content overstimulates the nervous system. And passive consumption before bed blunts their natural wind-down process. We think of it as relaxing—but their brains don't. What's worse is that these disruptions don't just affect nighttime. They carry over into the next day—affecting focus, mood, and even immune function. That's why experts now recommend at least 60 minutes of screen-free time before lights out—especially for young kids. Replace it with a bath, a book, a calm routine. These rituals help their circadian rhythm sync naturally. Sleep isn't just a health pillar—it's a developmental requirement. And screens may be the single biggest obstacle we're overlooking.Study source: JAMA Pediatrics (2024)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/fullarticle/282519Clip 18: Hormone-Disrupting Chemicals = Global Health RiskA sweeping review by the Endocrine Society in 2024 called endocrine-disrupting chemicals a 'global health threat.' These are substances—often found in plastics, pesticides, cosmetics, and even receipts—that can mimic, block, or interfere with your body's hormones. They've been linked to everything from infertility to obesity to neurological conditions and cancer. And they're everywhere. Prenatal exposure can affect fetal brain development. Chronic exposure is associated with thyroid dysfunction and metabolic syndrome. And it's not about one product—it's about cumulative load. What's scary is how underregulated many of these substances are in the U.S. compared to Europe. But what's hopeful is that you *can* reduce your exposure. Swap plastic for glass. Say no to fragrance. Wash produce well. Choose organic when you can. Each swap reduces total burden. This isn't alarmist. This is modern environmental medicine. And it affects every system in your body.Study source: Endocrine Society Global Consensus Statement (2024)https://www.endocrine.org/news-and-advocacy/news-room/2024/latest-science-shows-endocrine-disrupting-chemicals-in-pose-health-threats-globallyClip 19: Gut-Brain Axis and Mental HealthWe used to think the brain controlled everything. Now we know the gut plays just as big a role—especially in mental health. The gut-brain axis is a communication superhighway that links your microbiome to your nervous system. And studies show that disruptions in gut health are strongly linked to anxiety, depression, and even neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD. Certain gut bacteria help produce neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA. Others regulate inflammation, which directly impacts mood. A 2025 review of over 50 studies found that targeted probiotics improved symptoms of depression in many patients—sometimes as effectively as medication. What you eat, how you digest, and what lives in your gut may affect your mind more than your therapist knows. That doesn't mean meds aren't useful—but it means we have to zoom out. If your gut is inflamed, your brain is inflamed. And no amount of mindset work can override a body that's chemically out of balance. Heal the gut. Watch what changes.Study source: PubMed Meta-Review on Gut-Brain Axis (2025)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3963000Perimenopause: Recognizing and Addressing Early SymptomsDid you know that up to 90% of women experience symptoms of perimenopause years before menopause actually begins? Despite that, most women are either dismissed by doctors or told they're too young to be entering that phase. Perimenopause can start as early as your mid-30s, and it's not just hot flashes—it's insomnia, anxiety, irritability, brain fog, and cycle irregularities. A study from Stanford's Center for Lifestyle Medicine in 2025 emphasized that when women are supported with hormone therapy earlier—during perimenopause, not just postmenopause—they report significantly better mental clarity, energy, and quality of life. But here's the problem: most conventional providers aren't trained to spot this transition, and women are left thinking it's just stress, parenting, or age catching up with them. When really, it's hormones shifting. Estradiol begins to fluctuate, progesterone declines, and the nervous system takes the hit. Women deserve to know what's happening inside their bodies—and what they can do about it. Simple steps like tracking symptoms, checking hormone levels through saliva or urine testing, and considering targeted bioidentical support can change everything. This isn't about vanity—it's about function, clarity, and reclaiming your life before things spiral. If you've ever thought, 'I just don't feel like myself anymore,' and your labs came back 'normal,' this is your sign to dig deeper. You're not crazy. You're not weak. You're likely perimenopausal. And you deserve care that actually sees you.Study source: Stanford Lifestyle Medicine (2025)https://longevity.stanford.edu/lifestyle/2025/03/06/menopause-hormone-therapy-is-making-a-comeback-is-it-safe-and-right-for-you/Menopause and Muscle Mass: The Critical Role of Resistance TrainingMuscle loss during and after menopause is one of the most overlooked drivers of weight gain, fatigue, and metabolic decline in women. In fact, women can lose up to 10% of their muscle mass in the first five years post-menopause. That's not just a cosmetic issue—it's a health crisis. Loss of muscle means decreased insulin sensitivity, weaker bones, and lower resting metabolic rate. But the good news? It's reversible. A landmark 2025 study from the University of Exeter showed that menopausal women who engaged in just 12 weeks of resistance training experienced a 21% improvement in lower body flexibility and significant increases in strength and mobility. What's even more promising is that these improvements came from just two to three sessions a week using basic strength exercises. Muscle is your metabolic engine. And during menopause, when estrogen drops, protecting that muscle becomes your superpower. This isn't about getting shredded or spending hours at the gym—it's about lifting enough weight to send your body the message that it's still needed. Because when your body doesn't get that message, it starts letting muscle go. This leads to increased fat gain, inflammation, and risk of chronic disease. If you're entering menopause or already postmenopausal and you're not lifting weights, you're missing one of the most effective, protective tools for your long-term health.Study source: University of Exeter (2025)https://news.exeter.ac.uk/faculty-of-health-and-life-sciences/first-of-its-kind-study-shows-resistance-training-can-improve-physical-function-during-menopause/The Importance of Sexual Activity as We AgeHere's something most people don't expect: research shows that sexual satisfaction actually improves with age. A 2025 study published in Social Psychology revealed that older adults reported higher levels of emotional intimacy, comfort, and fulfillment during sex—especially when partnered with someone long-term. It turns out that fewer distractions, better communication, and reduced self-consciousness all contribute to more satisfying experiences in later years. But biology still plays a role. Hormonal shifts—like lower estrogen or testosterone—can affect desire, arousal, and comfort. The good news? These challenges are highly treatable. We now have non-invasive, low-risk treatments like vaginal DHEA, testosterone therapy, or pelvic floor physical therapy that can radically improve function and satisfaction. And here's the key: sexual health isn't just about sex. It's about cardiovascular health, immune health, sleep, and mood. An active sex life improves oxytocin levels, reduces stress, and strengthens the emotional bond between partners. Unfortunately, a lot of providers still don't ask about it. And many people are too embarrassed to bring it up. But this is a health issue—and you deserve support. So if intimacy has changed, bring it into the conversation. Because aging doesn't have to mean disconnect—it can actually mean rediscovery.Study source: PsyPost (2025)https://www.psypost.org/sexual-satisfactions-link-to-marital-happiness-grows-stronger-with-age/Preventing Alzheimer's and Type 2 Diabetes: Blood Sugar and Brain HealthThere's a reason Alzheimer's is now being called 'Type 3 Diabetes.' A 2024 study published in JAMA Network Open found that people with Type 2 Diabetes who kept their A1C in the target range significantly lowered their risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. In fact, risk was reduced by up to 60%. Why? Because insulin resistance doesn't just affect your pancreas—it affects your brain. High insulin impairs memory centers like the hippocampus, increases inflammation, and accelerates plaque formation. That means your morning bagel and soda aren't just spiking your blood sugar—they may be spiking your dementia risk. The solution isn't extreme dieting. It's metabolic awareness. Simple tools like continuous glucose monitors, strength training, walking after meals, and eliminating ultra-processed carbs can dramatically stabilize blood sugar. Add in sleep and stress management, and you've got a recipe for brain protection. Most people wait until symptoms start. But prevention is where the power is. If you have a family history of Alzheimer's or Type 2 Diabetes, take this seriously. Your future brain is being built right now by the food on your plate.Study source: JAMA Network Open (2024)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2821878Testosterone and Aging: It's Not Just About Sex DriveMost people hear 'testosterone' and immediately think of sex drive. But this hormone does way more than that. Testosterone plays a critical role in muscle maintenance, bone density, energy, focus, and mood. A 2025 review from the HE Clinics found that testosterone levels in men start declining around age 30—and continue to drop about 1% per year. That might sound gradual, but by your late 40s or 50s, it's enough to cause noticeable issues: brain fog, irritability, fatigue, and loss of motivation. What's even more concerning is that low testosterone has now been linked to a 26% higher risk of developing Alzheimer's. The brain literally needs testosterone to function well. The challenge is, many men go undiagnosed because they don't get tested—or they get told their levels are 'normal for their age.' But 'normal' doesn't mean optimal. And restoring optimal levels, especially with bioidentical therapies under medical supervision, has been shown to improve mood, clarity, libido, and physical performance. This isn't about bodybuilder doses or quick fixes—it's about reversing a gradual decline that's robbing men of their edge. If you or your partner feels like something is off, it's worth investigating. Because aging doesn't have to mean decline. It can mean recalibration.Study source: HE Clinics (2025)https://heclinics.com/testosterone-therapy-in-older-men-recent-findings/Why Functional Medicine Is Gaining Ground Over Conventional CareIf you've ever felt dismissed in a 7-minute doctor's appointment, you're not alone. Traditional primary care is built for volume—not personalization. That's where functional medicine comes in. A 2019 study published in JAMA Network Open found that patients receiving care through a functional medicine model saw a 30% greater improvement in health-related quality of life than those in conventional care. Why? Because functional medicine is built around asking better questions, running more comprehensive labs, and looking for root causes—not just masking symptoms. Instead of saying 'your labs are normal,' we ask, 'are you thriving?' We look at hormones, nutrition, sleep, gut health, toxin exposure, and genetics as pieces of a bigger picture. This approach is proactive—not reactive. It focuses on reversing disease, not just managing it. More and more people are turning to this kind of care because they're tired of feeling unseen. If you've been told everything is fine but you still feel off, functional medicine might be the approach you need. You deserve care that listens longer, digs deeper, and treats the whole you.Study source: JAMA Network Open (2019)https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2753520A word from my sponsors:Quince - Get cozy in Quince's high-quality wardrobe essentials. Go to Quince.com/honest for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. LMNT - Get your free LMNT Sample Pack with any purchase at drinklmnt.com/HONEST. Ritual - Support a balanced gut microbiome with Ritual's Synbiotic+. Get 25% off your first month at Ritual.com/BEHONEST. Happy Squatting. Primal Kitchen - primalkitchen.com/honest to save 20% off your next order with code HONEST at checkout.Fatty15 - You can get an additional 15% off their 90-day subscription Starter Kit by going to fatty15.com/HONEST and using code HONEST at checkout.Bilt Rewards - Start earning points on rent you're already paying by going to joinbilt.com/HONEST. For more Let's Be Honest, follow along at:@kristincavallari on Instagram@kristincavallari and @dearmedia on TikTokLet's Be Honest with Kristin Cavallari on YouTubeProduced by Dear Media.This episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products and services. Individuals on the show may have a direct, or indirect financial interest in products, or services referred to in this episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of Better Thinking, Nesh Nikolic speaks with Professor Kim Delbaere about understanding physical, psychological and cognitive factors causing falls as well as topics about promoting healthy ageing. Professor Kim Delbaere is a Senior Principal Research Scientist and Director of Innovation & Translation at the Falls, Balance & Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia. Kim has made major contributions to identifying risk factors for falls and sub-optimal ageing. Her overarching vision is for older Australians to understand and navigate better health trajectories through self-management. Episode link at https://neshnikolic.com/podcast/kim-delbaereSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Getting research off the ground is probably more complex than you'd expect. Doctor Claire Boswell-Ruys is a physiotherapist and senior research fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and has worked in the area of spinal cord injuries for the past 20 years. We talk about all things research, we discuss what it takes to set up a research trial, how it's funded, why it can't be everywhere and why medical research in Australia for people with spinal cord injuries may be different from overseas research. Information in this episode:Doctor Claire Boswell-Ruys - https://neura.edu.au/researchers/dr-claire-boswell-ruysNeuRA - Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre - https://neura.edu.au/research/research-expertise/spinal-cord-injuryProfessor Simon Gandevia - https://neura.edu.au/researchers/prof-simon-gandeviaProfessor Jane Butler - https://neura.edu.au/researchers/prof-jane-butlerGet A Grip Spinal Stimulation for Upper Limb and Respiratory Function in Quadriplegia/Tetraplegia - https://neura.edu.au/project/get-a-gripeWalk Trial - https://neura.edu.au/project/ewalk-trialTherapeutic acute intermittent hypoxia and hypercapnia - https://neura.edu.au/project/therapeutic-acute-intermittent-hypoxia-and-hypercapniaCreditsThis episode has been written, produced and edited by Susan Wood. Logo art by Cobie Ann Moore.Spinal Cord Injuries Australia is a for-purpose organisation that supports people with a spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions. For more information about our supports and services, visit our Resource Hub at https://bit.ly/ResourceHubSCIA.

More than 50 million people have dementia worldwide. It's expected that number will increase to almost 80 million people by 2030. Despite that, there's very little that can be done to treat a person, or even prevent a person from getting dementia. But in a massive breakthrough scientists from the UK have developed a blood test that can predict whether a person is at risk of developing dementia. The CEO of Neuroscience Research Australia, Professor Matthew Kiernan joins John to discuss the research and explain how important it will be for treating people with dementia. Listen to John Stanley Monday-Thursday from 8pm-12am on 2GB/4BC See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summary:How do we become who we are? Is there something written into our genetic code that determines who we will be and what decisions we will make? Or are we ruled by our environment and circumstances? Do we really possess free will, or is it an illusion?If you've ever pondered these existential questions, then you're going to want to tune in to episode #136 of The Author's Corner. Robin is joined by world renowned brain scientist George Paxinos who has devoted his life's work to investigating these questions. They discuss the idea of free will, human exceptionalism, genetics, and the environment, and how they all come together to form who we are today. Key takeaways:The role that innovation plays in our brain chemistryUsing animal models to understand human brainsThe importance of understanding who we areThe double edged sword of human exceptionalism and hubrisDoes free will really exist?And more!Resources mentioned in this episode:George's novel, A River DividedImmanuel Kant's ethical commandant “know thyself”The Story of SisyphusAbout George Paxinos:George Paxinos studied at Berkeley, McGill and Yale and is Professor of Medical Sciences at Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales, Sydney. He was President of the Australian Neuroscience Society and the World Congress of Neuroscience. He has identified and named more brain areas than anyone in history and published 57 books—his first, The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, is the most cited publication in neuroscience and, for decades, the third most cited science book of all time. His Atlas of the Human Brain received awards from the Association of American Publishers and the British Medical Association. His atlases and concepts of brain organization are used by most scientists working on the relationship between the brain and cognition, emotion, motivation and thought, including neurologic or psychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer's and depression. His most recent book, A River Divided, is a novel that combines his activist and scientific background. Spread the word:LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebook

Summary:How do we become who we are? Is there something written into our genetic code that determines who we will be and what decisions we will make? Or are we ruled by our environment and circumstances? Do we really possess free will, or is it an illusion?If you've ever pondered these existential questions, then you're going to want to tune in to episode #136 of The Author's Corner. Robin is joined by world renowned brain scientist George Paxinos who has devoted his life's work to investigating these questions. They discuss the idea of free will, human exceptionalism, genetics, and the environment, and how they all come together to form who we are today. Key takeaways:The role that innovation plays in our brain chemistryUsing animal models to understand human brainsThe importance of understanding who we areThe double edged sword of human exceptionalism and hubrisDoes free will really exist?And more!Resources mentioned in this episode:George's novel, A River DividedImmanuel Kant's ethical commandant “know thyself”The Story of SisyphusAbout George Paxinos:George Paxinos studied at Berkeley, McGill and Yale and is Professor of Medical Sciences at Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales, Sydney. He was President of the Australian Neuroscience Society and the World Congress of Neuroscience. He has identified and named more brain areas than anyone in history and published 57 books—his first, The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates, is the most cited publication in neuroscience and, for decades, the third most cited science book of all time. His Atlas of the Human Brain received awards from the Association of American Publishers and the British Medical Association. His atlases and concepts of brain organization are used by most scientists working on the relationship between the brain and cognition, emotion, motivation and thought, including neurologic or psychiatric diseases such as Alzheimer's and depression. His most recent book, A River Divided, is a novel that combines his activist and scientific background. Spread the word:LinkedInTwitterInstagramFacebook

Welcome back to DECODING AQ, where we delve into the minds of the most groundbreaking thinkers of our time! Today, I'm incredibly excited to introduce a guest whose contributions to neuroscience have shaped our understanding of the brain like no other. He has identified and named more brain areas than anyone in history. Hold onto your seats as we welcome the phenomenal George Paxinos (Paxsinos)- Professor of Medical Sciences, Neuroscience Research Australia and The University of New South Wales!George, alongside Charles Watson, authored 'The Rat Brain in Stereotaxic Coordinates.' With a staggering 73,000 citations across its 7 editions, this masterpiece stands as the most cited work in neuroscience. For three decades, it ranked as the third most cited book in all of science, a testament to its monumental impact.He's also the author of an astonishing 59 books delving into the intricacies of the human brain and that of experimental animals. In 2021, he ventured into a new realm with his first novel, 'A River Divided,' a captivating eco-fiction story exploring the classic nature versus nurture debate.So, get ready for an enlightening conversation as we explore the remarkable mind and journey of George Paxinos!Ross and George talk about his book, the Goldie Locks zone, brain size, JFK's brain, animal brains,  reorientation of religion, science and culture. Illusions, the soul, brain differences, Greek Mythology - Sisyphus, stories to help understanding, facing dilemmas, emotion over facts, climate change and misinformation. The pair also discuss how art is never finished, challenges, the environment, nature, frontal lobe damage,  human impact, sustainable society, destroying the planet, AI, human endeavour, growth, evolution, religion, eliminating life on earth, polarisation, humanity, tribalism, education, gene therapy, undiscovered talents,  human happiness and loving thy neighbour.Timecodes:01:03 George's background03:20 The human brain solving it's own problems06:31 Brain limitations and evolution10:26 Switching our brains in the future15:58 Travels which have shaped George and practical steps to help humanity24:36 Neuroscience transforming behaviour29:14 Creating things to understanding ourselves better32:36 Understanding of the brain and free will38:51 Identifying key parts of the brain41:30 Fostering adaptable behaviour and break cycles that no longer work46:26 The last time George did something for the first time49:54 Things we can doConnect with George:LinkedInWebsiteTwitterEmil: g.paxinos@neura.edu.auConnect with Ross:WebsiteLinkedInMoonshot Innovation 

Pioneering researchers from the Spinal Cord Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia have launched a study aimed at helping people with spinal injuries walk again, and they're looking for volunteers. Duncan Wallace, is the executive director at SpinalCure, he suffered a spinal injury himself, and he tells John about how newly injured people should never be told they won't walk again. Duncan discusses the research that's gone in to spinal recovery, and what needs to be done going forward. If you would like to take part in the study, you can find more information at: www.spinalcure.org.au/campaigns/ewalk/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For some health conditions, there are multiple Cochrane reviews, each looking at the effects of a different intervention. Overviews of reviews are intended to help users to consider all interventions together and one of these overviews, for treating pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome was updated in June 2023. Here's lead author, Michael Ferraro from Neuroscience Research Australia, to describe the findings.

For some health conditions, there are multiple Cochrane reviews, each looking at the effects of a different intervention. Overviews of reviews are intended to help users to consider all interventions together and one of these overviews, for treating pain and disability in adults with complex regional pain syndrome was updated in June 2023. Here's lead author, Michael Ferraro from Neuroscience Research Australia, to describe the findings.

Join Dilshara Suriyarachchi and Rosalind Birt who are discussing Falls Prevention. Dilshara and Rosalind and both Physiotherapists who work in a rehab hospital. Dilshara has 10 years' experience and Rosalind over 30 years. Both of them find the work rewarding with enjoy helping to get people back on their feet and improving their confidence. REFERENCES: 1. Lindy Clemson & Megan Swann (2008), Stepping On: Building confidence and reducing falls, a community-based program for older people, Sydney University Press 2. Bradley, C (2013) Trends in Hospitalisations due to falls by older people, Australia 1999-00 to 2010-11 3. Dept. of Health & Ageing, (2011), Don't Fall for it 4. Harvey, LA & Close, JCT (2013) Trends in fall-related hospitalisations in persons aged 65 years and over, NSW, 1988-1999, Sydney Falls & Injury Prevention Group, Neuroscience Research Australia, 2013 5. Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital and Community Health Services, Safe Over 60 Project, Health Promotion Unit 6. NSW Falls Prevention program, 2017, Active and healthy http://www.activeandhealthy.nsw.gov.au/ 7. Better Health Channel, 2018, Older People – preventing falls at home www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/falls-prevention-at-home 8. Australian Cardiovascular Health and Rehabilitation Association Inc 2015, acra.net.au 9.National heart foundation of Australia, walking.heartfoundation.org.au, Accessed Nov 2018

Australians aged 30 and over are being urged to practice standing on one leg. Neuroscience Research Australia senior principal research scientist Professor Kim Delbaere says the practice improves balance and offers other long-term health benefits, while preventing older Australians from debilitating falls. "As our population ages, we'll have more people fall," she told Gary Adshead on 6PR Mornings. "The single most effective strategy to prevent falls is practicing balancing. "There are definitely other exercises we can do as well but we need to make sure we have all these initiatives and prevention strategies available to all Australians."  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Through their work with The Resilience Shield, Ben and Tim have become fascinated with the topic – and in particular, with evidence-based research related to it.  A few months back, they saw an article talking about an Australian academic conducting a range of ground-breaking research into this exact topic and reached out to see if she would be interested in sharing her perspectives with the Unforgiving60.  Associate Professor Justine Gatt is Lead Scientist of the Gatt Wellbeing & Resilience Group at Neuroscience Research Australia and the School of Psychology, UNSW. In this capacity, she leads a research program looking at the neuroscience of wellbeing and resilience to stress and trauma, and the ways that wellbeing and resilience can be promoted via various intervention platforms.  In this episode, she shares some of these findings with Ben and Tim, including a range of practical methods of building resilience that anyone can adopt. 0:25         A very special introduction – some original poetry from Jackson, a participant in Rick Pedley-Smith's Rite of Passage program.  For more on Rick and the work he is doing to re-engage and support boys who are considered ‘at risk', see our discussion with him exactly two seasons ago, way back in Season 2, Episode 18. 7:05         Justine's background – and how she got to her current role as lead scientist of the Gatt Wellbeing and Resilience Group 10:10       Justine's definition of wellbeing and resilience 12:00       How much – and what parts – of our resilience is hereditary? Plus an explanation of Justine's COMPAS-W scale 17:24       The impacts of early life stress on our resilience (and the physical structure of our brains!) 23:00       What can we do in our own lives to increase our wellbeing and resilience? 30:30       Social media and resilience – how are our screens impacting our wellbeing (particularly amongst teens)? 34:45       The ‘goldilocks' effect at play in terms of screen time 38:30       Where to next for Justine? (And, importantly, can twins actually read each others' minds?!)   43:15       What does Justine do for her own resilience? 45:45       ….and how does she try to build resilience in her daughter?   www.unforgiving60.com   Email us at debrief@unforgiving60.com   Instagram, Twitter: @Unforgiving60   External Links   NeuRA (Neuroscience Research Australia), where you can find more about Justine's work, and register your interest for their soon-to-be-released app Justine's publications   Music The Externals – available on Spotify Ben Frichot - available on Spotify  

Today's episode is all about falls. Falls are one of the most prevalent and challenging risks that older adults face and addressing them, needs consideration of a wide array of risk factors. From physical and mental health, to environment, and as we learn in this interview – even what you're thinking about. Our guest is Professor Kim Delbaere from UNSW and Neuroscience Research Australia or NEURA. Her work focuses on understanding the factors that can lead to falls among older adults and finding out, what she calls "acceptable interventions”. Kim is also the President of the Australian and New Zealand Falls Prevention Society and has been instrumental in the creation of new tools for falls prevention such as the app Standing Tall (which you can learn more about at www.standingtall.org.au). As always you can hear Daniella and Maurie's take and thoughts about these ideas in their show Who Cares? which is released every Friday. The Aged Care Enrichment Podcast is brought to you by SilVR Adventures ⬇️

Join Dr Saurab Sharma as they discuss the one thing they want people challenged by pain to know about.Dr Saurab Sharma is a postdoctoral research fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia and the University of New South Wales, supported by the International Association for the Study of Pain (IASP) John J. Bonica Fellowship. His research includes developing global strategies for improving musculoskeletal health and developing and testing assessment methods and interventions for pain. Prior to commencing his PhD in 2017, Saurab worked as a musculoskeletal physiotherapist and lecturer in Nepal for a decade. Season Two of One Thing is powered by the Australian Pain Society. For more information on One Thing check out onething.painsci.org or search for @OneThing_Pain on Twitter and Instagram. Our GDPR privacy policy was updated on August 8, 2022. Visit acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we talk with Martin Héroux about his learnings / teachings of writing clean, maintainable code. Join us and learn how to create more robust software, enjoy!And wow we're 50 episodes in, thank you everybody for your support!Marty's Bio:Marty trained as a physiotherapist before obtaining a PhD from Queen's University (Kingston, Canada). He has worked at Neuroscience Research Australia for almost 10 years, where he is a Senior Research Fellow. Marty's research spans a multitude of areas, include human motor neuron physiology, muscle function and biomechanics, human proprioception, sensorimotor control and spinal cord injury research. More recently, he has investigated issues surrounding bad science and poor reporting in the biomedical science. Marty started to code (poorly) during his PhD, and he never stopped. In addition to coding for his own research, Marty teaches scientific computing to students and early-career researchers.Notable PYPI packages:Pliffyspike2py Show mentions:Julian's career tweetImportant in software development: keep it DRYThe PDM programBook tip: How to Take Smart NotesConnect with Marty:TwitterGitHubGoogle ScholarBlogPyBites Slack

If you're not sleeping well, you're not performing to your full potential. Investing in rest is one of the best things you can do. But how? The best person to help you appreciate and improve your sleep as a foundation for improvement in every aspect of your life is today's guest, Professor Danny Eckert, who is recognised as one of the world's leading experts on sleep. Professor Eckert has been actively involved in human sleep and respiratory physiology research for over 20 years. He is a National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia Senior Research Fellow and Mathew Flinders Professor at Flinders University in South Australia.  Danny currently serves as Director of the Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health and Deputy Director at the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute.  He leads a comprehensive research program that focuses on identification of the causes of sleep apnea, optimisation of existing therapies, and development of new tailored therapies.  He is most well-known for his pioneering respiratory work which has led to a new precision medicine therapeutic framework to understand and treat sleep apnea, and for his research on the role of arousal mechanisms on sleep apnea. He has published more than 150 articles in the leading sleep and respiratory medical journals.  Danny's previous appointments include Professor of Medicine at the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Principal Research Scientist at Neuroscience Research Australia and Assistant Professor within the Division of Sleep Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital at Harvard Medical School in Boston. So in this eye opening and insightful discussion, Danny answers all of your sleep questions, including: What is good quality sleep? What happens to us when we sleep? Why is sleep so important? What are the benefits of good sleep? How much sleep do we need? What are the impacts if we undersleep or oversleep?  How do our iPhones, TVs and other devices affect our sleep? What is the relationship between sleep and breathing? What impact does meditation and napping have on sleep and its benefits?  What impact does sleep have on our mental health, mood, depression, body organs, performance, memory, creativity, weight and immune system? Can we recover from the ill effects of prolonged sleep deprivation?   What do we need to do and what not to do to optimise sleep and its benefits? How do we need to set up our sleep environment and sleep routine? What position should and shouldn't we sleep in? And the growing epidemic of Sleep Apnea: What is it? The risk factors, effects, and what can you do about it. This is a really informative discussion that definitely won't put you to sleep! But if you're looking for a good book to read before you grab some well earned zzzz's, you can grab a free copy of my award winning book ‘Get Invested', which is the prequel to my book The Freedom Formula, by going to https://bushymartin.com.au/books Get Invested is the leading weekly podcast for Australians who want to learn how to unlock their full ‘self, health and wealth' potential. Hosted by Bushy Martin, an award winning property investor, founder, author and media commentator who is recognised as one of Australia's most trusted experts in property, investment and lifestyle, Get Invested reveals the secrets of the high performers who invest for success in every aspect of their lives and the world around them. Remember to subscribe on your favourite podcast player, and if you're enjoying the show please leave us a review. Find out more about Get Invested here https://bushymartin.com.au/get-invested-podcast/  Want to connect with Bushy? Get in touch here https://bushymartin.com.au/contact/  This show is produced by Apiro Media - http://apiropodcasts.com

Dr Saurab Sharma knows first hand the challenges and opportunities of working across different cultures and in different resource settings. From his work as a physical therapist in Nepal, to his research at University of Otago, and his current work at Neuroscience Research Australia, Saurab is committed to improving the lives of people living with chronic pain. Tune in as Saurab shares his ideas for improving how clinicians and people living with pain can talk about and understand pain.

"It also must start and end in primary care" This piece is a fascinating in-depth conversation moving through various medical perspectives on perioperative medicine from Australia and New Zealand. A real highlight of the festival. How has perioperative medicine evolved over the years around the world? What's the status of Perioperative Care as a specialty? How does one specialise in this area, in terms of education? Discussing the development of the International Board:- "We decided perioperative education should not only be available for developed countries". We hear that TopMedTalk engaging with the African Perioperative Research Group (APORG) has helped move the cause of perioperative care forward, both in Africa and elsewhere. The conversation further evolves: Once educated how do we demonstrate the value of perioperative practice? How do we launch projects that will really make a difference? Where, from a research perspective, do the more fruitful areas of investigation present themselves? Would a minimum data set help? Moving to clinical trials we hear how research is being conducted, both the challenges and the sources of success. "Perioperative medicine is a team sport" - how do we use the interdisciplinary aspect of what we do to enhance our educational options? Regular listeners to TopMedTalk may recall the series we did about the Perioperative Special Interest Group (SIG) - if you want more details of http://www.anzca.edu.au/fellows/special-interest-groups/perioperative-medicine The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network can be found at http://www.anzca.edu.au/ctn Also, The International Board of Perioperative Medicine is here: https://www.internationalboardpom.org/ Further, make sure you check out https://www.periopmedicine.org.uk/ for more information on the perioperative medicine short course we discuss. And Perioperative Medicine for The Junior Clinician is available here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Perioperative-Medicine-Junior-Clinician-Symons/dp/1118779169 Presented by Desiree Chappell alongside co-host Ross Kerridge, Anaesthetist from Newcastle in Australia - sometimes called the 'Father of Perioperative Medicine'. Guests are Jill Van Acker, Staff Specialist Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead Perioperative Services, Canberra Hospital, and Chair of the ANZ Perioperative Special Interest Group; Vanessa Beavis, President, Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, & until recently Director of Perioperative Services, Auckland District Health Board; Prof. Jackie Close Orthogeriatrician at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney and Clinical Director of the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia; Prof. Dave Story, Head of the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network, and Chair of the Anaesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Unit within the University of Melbourne Medical School. Joel Symons, Anaesthetist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Leader in the development of Educational Programs based at Monash University and member of International Board of Perioperative Medicine.

This piece is a fascinating in-depth conversation moving through various medical perspectives on perioperative medicine from Australia and New Zealand. A real highlight of the festival. How has perioperative medicine evolved over the years around the world? What's the status of Perioperative Care as a specialty? How does one specialise in this area, in terms of education?  Discussing the development of the International Board:- "We decided perioperative education should not only be available for developed countries".  We hear that TopMedTalk engaging with the African Perioperative Research Group (APORG) has helped move the cause of perioperative care forward, both in Africa and elsewhere.  The conversation further evolves:-  Once educated how do we demonstrate the value of perioperative practice? How do we launch projects that will really make a difference? Where, from a research perspective, do the more fruitful areas of investigation present themselves? Would a minimum data set help?  Moving to clinical trials we hear how research is being conducted, both the challenges and the sources of success.  "Perioperative medicine is a team sport" - how do we use the interdisciplinary aspect of what we do to enhance our educational options? Regular listeners to TopMedTalk may recall the series we did about the Perioperative Special Interest Group (SIG) - if you want more details of http://www.anzca.edu.au/fellows/special-interest-groups/perioperative-medicine The ANZCA Clinical Trials Network can be found at http://www.anzca.edu.au/ctn Also, The International Board of Perioperative Medicine is here: https://www.internationalboardpom.org/ Further, make sure you check out https://www.periopmedicine.org.uk/ for more information on the perioperative medicine short course we discuss. Presented by Desiree Chappell alongside co-host Ross Kerridge, Anaesthetist from Newcastle in Australia - sometimes called the 'Father of Perioperative Medicine'.  Guests are Jill Van Acker, Staff Specialist Anaesthetist and Clinical Lead Perioperative Services, Canberra Hospital, and Chair of the ANZ Perioperative Special Interest Group;  Vanessa Beavis, President, Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, & until recently Director of Perioperative Services, Auckland District Health Board;  Prof. Jackie Close Orthogeriatrician at the Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney and Clinical Director of the Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre at Neuroscience Research Australia; Prof. Dave Story, Head of the ANZCA Clinical Trials Network, and Chair of the Anaesthesia, Perioperative and Pain Medicine Unit within the University of Melbourne Medical School. Joel Symons, Anaesthetist at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne and Senior Lecturer at Monash University, Leader in the development of Educational Programs based at Monash University and member of International Board of Perioperative Medicine.

My expert guest is Dr. James McAuley. He is a Psychologist and Assistant Professor in the School of Medical Sciences, as well as a Senior Research Scientist at Neuroscience Research Australia, which is an independent not-for-profit institute based in Sydney, Australia. James is a leader in brain and nervous system research, including how to best treat many chronic pain syndromes. He has published over 170 scientific articles and lectures at international conferences on the best evidence for the treatment of persistent pain. On this episode, you'll learn about the latest advances for the treatment of chronic low back pain, where the research is heading, and we’ll bust some myths about common treatments that are currently utilized for low back pain. We’ll discuss if there's evidence to support them in clinical practice. You might be surprised by what he's discovered and what works for the treatment of chronic low back pain. I enjoyed this episode with James. We dived into the research around what works and what does not work for chronic low back pain. Make sure to share this episode with your friends and family and hop on over to iTunes, and give me a five-star review so we can share this important work with your friends and colleagues.

Did you come into Python from a computational science side of things? Were you just looking for something better than Excel or Matlab and got pulled in by all the Python has to offer? That's great! But following that path often means some of the more formal practices from software development weren't part of the journey. On this episode, you'll meet Martin Héroux, who does data science in the context of academic research. He's here to share his best practices and lessons for data scientists of all sorts. Links from the show Neuroscience Research Australia: neura.edu.au Martin Héroux: researchgate.net Errors in science: I make them do you? Part 3: scientificallysound.org PyPI Packages DABEST: pypi.org/project/dabest PSYCHOPY: pypi.org/project/PsychoPy Spreadsheet Blunders 12 of the Biggest Spreadsheet Fails: blogs.oracle.com Common spreadsheet errors: datacarpentry.org Best Practices for Scientific Computing: journals.plos.org Good enough practices in scientific computing: journals.plos.org Full episode RSS feed: talkpython.fm/episodes/rss_full_history Springboard bootcamp scholarships [code TALKPYTHONTOME]: talkpython.fm/springboard Sponsors Clubhouse Linode Talk Python Training

We talked to Ianthe Boden who is a Physiotherapist, PhD student, actively researching and enacting therapies to improve outcomes for patients in ICU and after major surgery. Check out the trial here: https://archivesphysiotherapy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40945-017-0039-3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWFgBvH9pdI PEDro is a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy.  For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible.  All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality.  These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice.  PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?!  Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them.

We talked to Ianthe Boden who is a Physiotherapist, PhD student, actively researching and enacting therapies to improve outcomes for patients in ICU and after major surgery. Check out the trial here: https://archivesphysiotherapy.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40945-017-0039-3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWFgBvH9pdI PEDro is a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy. For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible. All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality. These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice. PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?! Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them.

PEDro stands for Physiotherapy Evidence Database,  It’s a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy. For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible. All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality. These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice. PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?! Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them. In this episode we talk to Professor for Health Innovation at the University of Exeter Sallie Lamb about SARAH, or Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand Trial (SARAH) Trial Team It appeared in Lancet 2015 Jan 31;385(9966):421-429. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O69MRinEw_Q&feature=emb_logo More about Sallie Lamb. Sallie has a long-standing interest in clinical trials, medical statistics and, rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and chronic conditions in older people. She works with clinicians to develop pragmatic clinical trial designs to capture the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a variety of health interventions. She is the Chief Investigator for a number of trials of rehabilitation interventions.  Disease-modifying biological agents and other drug regimens have substantially improved control of disease activity and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis of the hand. However, commensurate changes in function and quality of life are not always noted. Tailored hand exercises might provide additional improvements, but evidence is lacking. We estimated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tailored hand exercises in addition to usual care during 12 months.  We have shown that a tailored hand exercise program is a worthwhile, low-cost intervention to provide as an adjunct to various drug regimens. Maximisation of the benefits of biological and DMARD regimens in terms of function, disability, and health-related quality of life should be an important treatment aim. Improvements in overall hand function were 36 points (95% CI 15 to 57) in the usual care group and 79 points (60 to 99) in the exercise group (mean difference between groups 43, 95% CI 15 to 71; p = 0.0028). Pain, drug regimens, and health-care resource use were stable for 12 months, with no difference between the groups.

PEDro stands for Physiotherapy Evidence Database,  It’s a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy.  For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible.  All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality.  These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice.  PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?!  Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them. In this episode we talk to Professor for Health Innovation at the University of Exeter Sallie Lamb about SARAH, or Strengthening and Stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand Trial (SARAH) Trial Team It appeared in Lancet 2015 Jan 31;385(9966):421-429. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O69MRinEw_Q&feature=emb_logo More about Sallie Lamb. Sallie has a long-standing interest in clinical trials, medical statistics and, rehabilitation of musculoskeletal and chronic conditions in older people. She works with clinicians to develop pragmatic clinical trial designs to capture the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a variety of health interventions. She is the Chief Investigator for a number of trials of rehabilitation interventions.  Disease-modifying biological agents and other drug regimens have substantially improved control of disease activity and joint damage in people with rheumatoid arthritis of the hand. However, commensurate changes in function and quality of life are not always noted. Tailored hand exercises might provide additional improvements, but evidence is lacking. We estimated the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tailored hand exercises in addition to usual care during 12 months.  We have shown that a tailored hand exercise program is a worthwhile, low-cost intervention to provide as an adjunct to various drug regimens. Maximisation of the benefits of biological and DMARD regimens in terms of function, disability, and health-related quality of life should be an important treatment aim. Improvements in overall hand function were 36 points (95% CI 15 to 57) in the usual care group and 79 points (60 to 99) in the exercise group (mean difference between groups 43, 95% CI 15 to 71; p = 0.0028). Pain, drug regimens, and health-care resource use were stable for 12 months, with no difference between the groups. No serious adverse events associated with the treatment were recorded. The cost of tailored hand exercise was 156 per person; cost per quality-adjusted life-year was Great British Pounds 9,549 with the EQ-5D (Great British Pounds 17,941 with imputation for missing data).

PEDro stands for Physiotherapy Evidence Database, It’s a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy. For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible. All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality. These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice. PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?! Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Here we looked at HIHO Randomized Clinical Trial with Mark Buhagiar. Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them. In this episode we talk to Mark about the trial in Jama, from them, "Which was randomized and included 165 adults after total knee arthroplasty and 10 days of hospital inpatient rehabilitation followed by an 8-week, clinician-monitored, home-based program or home-based program only and were compared with an observation group of 87 patients who also participated in the home-based program. In the end, they found no significant difference in the 6-minute walk test between any of the groups at the primary end point of 26 weeks." Meaning For adults undergoing uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty, inpatient rehabilitation did not improve mobility compared with a monitored home program. - Find the paper in full here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2610335 HIHO video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRS04W4fax0

PEDro stands for Physiotherapy Evidence Database,  It’s a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy.  For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible.  All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality.  These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice.  PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?!  Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Here we looked at HIHO Randomized Clinical Trial with Mark Buhagiar. Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them. In this episode we talk to Mark about the trial in Jama, from them, "Which was randomized and included 165 adults after total knee arthroplasty and 10 days of hospital inpatient rehabilitation followed by an 8-week, clinician-monitored, home-based program or home-based program only and were compared with an observation group of 87 patients who also participated in the home-based program. In the end, they found no significant difference in the 6-minute walk test between any of the groups at the primary end point of 26 weeks." Meaning  For adults undergoing uncomplicated total knee arthroplasty, inpatient rehabilitation did not improve mobility compared with a monitored home program. - Find the paper in full here: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2610335 HIHO video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRS04W4fax0

PEDro stands for Physiotherapy Evidence Database,  It’s a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy.  For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible.  All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality.  These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice.  PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?!  Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them. First up… is Fashion?  It’s not about clothes or looking good… thank goodness or I’d be WELL out of my element, but this Fashion UK trial’s title was:  Hip arthroscopy versus best conservative care for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (UK FASHIoN): a multi-centre randomized controlled trial  - if you had scrabble letters you’d find FASHION UK in there somewhere and let’s be honest, FASHIO UK was easier to remember than…. Wait what was that title again? Link to Fashion UK: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31202-9/fulltext  Link to Fashion UK video:  https://youtu.be/ZtMBCCsKnWE Link to Personalize Hip Protocol: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/50/19/1217 Link to iHOT 33: https://www.physio-pedia.com/International_Hip_Outcome_Tool_(iHOT) To support our show, support our sponsors: Aureus Medical Staffing #TravelPT: www.AureusMedical.com  Owens Recovery Science: www.OwensRecoveryScience.com  Brooks IHL: www.BrooksIHL.org  RockTape: www.RockTape.com/medical  BuiltPT: www.BuildPT.com  NuStep: www.NuStep.com 

PEDro stands for Physiotherapy Evidence Database, It’s a free database of over 45,000 randomised trials, systematic reviews and clinical practice guidelines in physiotherapy. For each trial, review or guideline, PEDro provides the citation details, the abstract and a link to the full text, where possible. All trials on PEDro are independently assessed for quality. These quality ratings are used to quickly guide users to trials that are more likely to be valid and to contain sufficient information to guide clinical practice. PEDro is produced by the Institute for Musculoskeletal Health, School of Public Health at the University of Sydney and is hosted by Neuroscience Research Australia. And did we mention… this is free?! Find PEDro at https://www.pedro.org.au/ Here we looked at Now To celebrate PEDro’s 20th birthday they’ve have identified the five most important randomised controlled trials in physiotherapy published in the last 5 years. These trials were nominated by PEDro users, and an independent panel of international trialists judged the nominations received. Now YOU get to take advantage of hearing a little more about these standout pieces of work… by the people who created them. First up… is Fashion? It’s not about clothes or looking good… thank goodness or I’d be WELL out of my element, but this Fashion UK trial’s title was: Hip arthroscopy versus best conservative care for the treatment of femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (UK FASHIoN): a multicentre randomised controlled trial - if you had scrabble letters you’d find FASHION UK in there somewhere and let’s be honest, FASHIO UK was easier to remember than…. Wait what was that title again? Link to Fashion UK: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)31202-9/fulltext Link to Fashion UK video: https://youtu.be/ZtMBCCsKnWE Link to Personalize Hip Protocol: https://bjsm.bmj.com/content/50/19/1217 Link to iHOT 33: https://www.physio-pedia.com/International_Hip_Outcome_Tool_(iHOT) To support our show, support our sponsors: Aureus Medical Staffing #TravelPT: www.AureusMedical.com Owens Recovery Science: www.OwensRecoveryScience.com Brooks IHL: www.BrooksIHL.org RockTape: www.RockTape.com/medical BuiltPT: www.BuildPT.com NuStep: www.NuStep.com

Podcast courtesy of the Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association (CAAMA) View original here: http://caama.com.au/news/2018/dr-k-radford-improving-treatment-for-aboriginal-torres-strait-islanders-with-dementia A recently announced $14 million of funding by the Federal Government is being allocated to research programs to look into the causes and risks of dementia in Aboriginal communities. Dr Kylie Radford from Neuroscience Research Australia is leading one of those teams in a project called ‘Our MOB (Our Mind Our Brain)’ administered through the University of New South Wales. Philippe Perez spoke to Dr Radford to learn more about the aims of the project.

On the show:- How our four-legged friends use their sense of smell to chart neighbourhood scents in The Pee Cartographer (produced by Rhys McGowan)- Uncovering the mysteries of the brain, an Interview with Dr Steve Kaseem, Neuroscience Research Australia (produced by Ellice Mol)- A travel guide to Indigenous Australia, an interview with with Professor Marcia Langton (produced by Rhys McGowan and Ellice Mol)- Biohacking the genes we're born with (produced by Sarah Matthews)- and the tweet that got the attention of Bill Nye, The Science Guy (produced by Andrew Katsis)

On today’s episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart Podcast, I had the honor of welcoming Professor Lorimer Moseley onto the show to answer audience questions regarding persistent pain. Lorimer Moseley’s interests lie in the role of the brain and mind in chronic pain. He is Professor of Clinical Neurosciences at the University of South Australia and a Senior Principal Research Fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia. In this episode, we discuss: -The Pain Revolution: creating a public discourse about persistent pain -Misconceptions surrounding the biopsychosocial model and pain -Confronting medical providers who promote negative pain beliefs -Is there merit in using placebo treatments for chronic pain? -How does Lorimer stay critical of his own scientific work? -And so much more!   Persistent pain needs to be understood not only by clinicians but the general public and policymakers. Lorimer believes, “It’s our most burdensome non-fatal condition facing our species.”   Clinicians need to understand what motivates their patients. Lorimer reminds us that, “When push comes to shove, in the raw moment, you ask a patient with persistent pain or anyone in pain, what do you want most right now? I think most of them would say pain relief.”   Medical providers hold a great deal of sway with patients. This influence can be used to validate what patients are feeling and aid the healing process. Lorimer states, “Nearly all health professionals have a natural tendency and a very slick skill set of legitimizing someone’s suffering.”   Although the biopsychosocial model differs in many ways from the biomedical model, there are many opportunities to share insights and practitioners of both frameworks should be self-critical. Lorimer advices, “It’s tempting for us to cast character judgments on those who are not like us. Actually, I think that people are trying to help their patients a lot of the time. They’re good people. I really think we need to collaborate and just keep open the possibility that we’re wrong. We have to be committed to try and prove ourselves wrong.”   For more information on Lorimer: Professor Lorimer Moseley is a clinical scientist investigating pain in humans. After posts at The University of Oxford, UK, and the University of Sydney, Lorimer was appointed Foundation Professor of Neuroscience and Chair in Physiotherapy, The Sansom Institute for Health Research at the University of South Australia. He is also Senior Principal Research Fellow at NeuRA and an NHMRC Principal Research Fellow.   He has published over 200 papers, four books and numerous book chapters. He has given over 140 keynote or invited presentations at interdisciplinary meetings in 30 countries and has provided professional education in pain sciences to over 10,000 medical and health practitioners and public lectures to as many again. His YouTube and TEDx talks have been viewed over 200,000 times.   He consults to governmental and industry bodies in Europe and North America on pain-related issues. He was awarded the inaugural Ulf Lindblom Award for the outstanding mid-career clinical scientist working in a pain-related field by the International Association for the Study of Pain, was shortlisted for the 2011 and 2012 Australian Science Minister’s Prize for Life Sciences, and won the 2013 Marshall & Warren Award from the NHMRC, for the Best Innovative and Potentially Transformative Project. He was made Fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists in 2011, by original contribution, and an Honoured Member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association, their highest honour, in 2014.   Resources discussed on this show: Pain Revolution Pain Revolution Facebook Explain Pain Supercharged Body In Mind Twitter Body In Mind   Thanks for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Make sure to connect with me on twitter, instagram and facebook to stay updated on all of the latest! Show your support for the show by leaving a rating and review on iTunes!   Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart!   Xo Karen   P.S. Do you want to be a stand out podcast guest? Make sure to grab the tools from the FREE eBook on the home page! Check out my blog post on the Top 10 Podcast Episodes of 2016!  

If a man sleeps only five hours a night for a week his testosterone levels plummet as if he has aged a decade, says Professor Danny Eckert, one of the world's leading experts in sleep apnoea. Sleep, along with diet and exercise, is one of the three pillars of health. Sleep apnoea is as common as asthma and diabetes. And yet Dr Eckert and his team are amazed that sleep is not prioritised. In fact, in business a lack of sleep is often glorified. Danny says this is "crazy", and describes in detail the horrifying physical and mental impact. Sleep depravation impacts every organ, it has the affect of intoxication and can even shorten your life expectancy. Every part of life is impacted, from the bedroom to the boardroom. After listening to this, you'll be aiming for eight hours shut eye tonight. The life of a top scientist is not lab coats and test tubes. In his current role as principal research fellow at Neuroscience Research Australia, in Sydney, Danny travels the nation and the world talking about his team's research into sleep apnoea, raising awareness and raising funding. Danny's journey, which began in Adelaide in "the mud patch" with his cousin James (Rooster Radio's co-host), has had both highs and lows. He talks about the impact of losing of his mum, and how he found his way to the famed Harvard University in Boston. Professor Danny Eckert: The Associate Professor has been actively involved in human sleep and respiratory physiology research since 2001. In 2006, he completed his PhD at the University of Adelaide. After three years of postdoctoral training at Harvard Medical School, he was promoted to Faculty as Assistant Professor. In late 2011 Danny returned to Australia to establish a comprehensive sleep and respiratory physiology research program at Neuroscience Research Australia. His team continues to advance knowledge into the causes of sleep apnoea and develop new treatments. He currently serves on the board of the Australasian Sleep Association, the peak profession body, and is Chair of the Research Committee. Neuroscience Research Australia https://www.neura.edu.au/. Rooster Radio is hosted by Andrew Montesi and James Begley. Connect with Rooster Radio - sign up to our mailing list and join our Facebook community: http://roosterradio.biz http://facebook.com/roosterradioHQ For media, content and marketing services, visit: apiroconsulting.com (Andrew Montesi) For leadership and and high performance services, visit: jamesbegley.com.au (James Begley)

Dr Rebekah Ahmed from Neuroscience Research Australia talks about her research on eating disorders in frontotemporal dementia.

Dr Rebekah Ahmed from Neuroscience Research Australia talks about her research on eating disorders in frontotemporal dementia.

Does emotional stress trigger Parkinson's disease? Andrew Lees, Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, talks us through the evidence so far.And Glenda Halliday, Neuroscience Research Australia, and colleagues, have examined the clinical and pathological diagnostic implications of new criteria for frontotemporal dementia syndromes. She discusses the highlights.Read both the papers, for free:New criteria for frontotemporal dementia syndromes: clinical and pathological diagnostic implications http://goo.gl/87At72Can stress trigger Parkinson's disease? http://goo.gl/bS8igNListen to the PN podcast reviewing Michael J Fox's memoir, Lucky Man http://goo.gl/1XCpDP

Steve Vucic PhD of Neuroscience Research Australia talks about transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), an emerging test that may help clinicians identify people with ALS before the first symptoms of disease. Learn more: http://blogs.als.net/post/2013/06/19/TMS-a-headstart-for-PALS.aspx

In April’s podcast, we put a spotlight on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia.Maxime Bertoux, a neuropsychologist at Paris-Sorbonne University, discusses the problem of misdiagnosis of the behavioural variant of FTD, and how he’s shown the Social Cognition and Emotional Assessment is a more powerful tool than others in use (20.50).And Martin Turner, consultant neurologist at Oxford University Nuffield Department of Clinical Neuroscience, talks about early tractography work in ALS (13.23).We also take a look at corticobasal syndrome. JNNP editor Matthew Kiernan asks John Hodges, Neuroscience Research Australia, about his work looking to standardise diagnostic criteria (1.16).See also:Nerve fibre degeneration in the brain in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis http://tinyurl.com/ar8bolmDiagnostic criteria for corticobasal syndrome: a comparative study http://tinyurl.com/a7sskuxSocial Cognition and Emotional Assessment differentiates frontotemporal dementia from depression http://tinyurl.com/bkpfrruJNNP podcast: Martin Turner on athleticism and ALS http://tinyurl.com/an724hs