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Brain and Mind Centre

Latest news

The latest news from the Brain and Mind Centre

Browse some of the highlights from the Brain and Mind Centre's discovery scientists, clinicians, researchers, partners and the families who have contributed to research.

New app to assist with diagnosis of younger onset dementias

The FRONTIER Research Group, from the University of Sydney’s Brain and Mind Centre and School of Psychology, is launching its new app that will improve the diagnosis of patients with rare younger-onset language dementias, known as primary progressive aphasia (PPA). The Sydney Language Battery (SYDBAT) app will assist clinicians in diagnosing rare younger-onset language dementias.

Bulb shining light with sun in the sky

National eating disorders centre ignites research fund for new solutions

Sydney’s first eating disorders research and translation centre offers nationwide grant opportunity to progress prevention, treatments and support in partnership with research, lived experience, clinical and community experts.

Can music slow the onset of neurodegenerative disease?

A new collaboration between the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music will be launched on 25 March. Together, with support of a generous gift, they are designing a musical intervention to help those at risk of cognitive decline.

Dementia and loneliness during COVID

An international multi-centre study has found worsened neuropsychiatric symptoms in people living with dementia, and a decline in carer mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sydney takes top honours in the 2021 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science

University of Sydney researchers have been awarded three scientific research and innovation awards in the prestigious Prime Minister's Prizes for Science 2021 for work on COVID-19, combatting addiction and breakthroughs in healing tissues and organs.

Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) - Jill's story

Jill Ferguson is a research participant of the Brain and Mind Centre’s FRONTIER Research Clinic. For 2021 World FTD Awareness Week, she and her husband, Mark, graciously share their story to help raise awareness of this younger-onset dementia.

Professor Ian Hickie

Professor Ian Hickie awarded Australia's top mental health prize

Brain and Mind Centre co-director, Professor Ian Hickie AM, has been named dual winner of the 2021 Australian Mental Health Prize.

University and Minderoo launch 'Thrive by Five' app, in Indonesia

The University of Sydney and Minderoo Foundation have begun the global rollout of a unique, culturally tailored app for carers focused on crucial early childhood development, with the first launch in Indonesia today.

blurred research in foreground with brain scans projected on a wall in background

First national memory clinic guidelines to support dementia diagnosis

With 30% of dementias misdiagnosed in primary care, a new set of national clicinal guidelines aims to improve diagnosis and aftercare for families affected by dementia.

Neurons

Matthew Kiernan first Australian to receive Sheila Essey Award

Brain and Mind Centre's co-director, Professor Matthew Kiernan, has been awarded for his seminal research in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research.

image of a hand with a reflex hammer in a clinic

Patients pass on the baton for MND

Dr Angela Worthinton's gift has given MND patients like Judy Featherstone access to clinical trials and hope for new treatments. Jane worthington describes the research enabled by her cousin's legacy.

A brain with computer data in the background

Imaging repository for MS research

In an international collaboration to centralise MS research, Brain and Mind Centre researchers launch the first global repository of curated, de-identified patient MRI scans.

Brain and Mind Centre mental health modelling recognised globally

Advanced mental health modelling by the Brain and Mind Centre is making global impact, recognised as a top innovation by the World Economic Forum announced through Scientific American, and leading to an essay in Nature today.

many hands in a circle

Creating a circle of care for youth mental health services

What does a digitally-enabled 'Circle of Care' look like for young people seeking help for emerging psychiatric disorders? A new report outlines the potential for better pathways to care.

2021 Investigator Grants for Brain and Mind Sciences

An outstanding field of emerging and senior research leaders were awarded 2021 Investigator Grants.

abstract image of coloured dots representing neurons

3.4 million for NHMRC mental health technology trial

With a $3.4 million NHMRC grant, BMC researchers will be able to offer clinicians the resources to provide more individualised, measurement-based care to young people in the early stages of major anxiety, depressive or other mood disorders.

close up blurred image of poker machines

$26m to expand gambling clinic services

The Brain and Mind Centre's Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic will provide gambling services for 20 clinics in greater Sydney as part of the NSW Government's GambleAware program.

Professor Deniz Kirik

$12.5m enables new research approach to Parkinson's

University leads international multi-institutional research effort to create new insights into the genetics of what determines the development and progression of Parkinson's disease.

MRFF grants fund AI research collaborations

Medical Research Futures Fund awards $7.9m to Brain and Mind Centre’s multidisciplinary research into neurological and mental health disorders.

black and white closeup of an alarm clock with messy bed in background

Circadian depression, a closer look at body clocks and mental health

Understanding circadian disturbances as a mechanism of mental health disorders, not just a symptom, could change diagnoses, interventions and therapies for this unique subset of depressive disorders.

Young and the Restless Webinar

Young and the Restless

What does suicide prevention strategy look like for young people with lived experience? Young panellists hope to spark some poignant conversations.

First dynamic modelling of national suicide prevention strategies released

University of Sydney researchers are recommending urgent national strategies to reduce the mental health impact in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

BMC partnership grants and EMCR awards

BMC awards funding for early career research and multidisciplinary partnerships.

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2020 News

COVID-19 resources for patients and carers

Our researchers provide some tips and tricks on navigating this time to come out healthy on the other end.

brain-yellow

Mental health impact of 'lockdown fatigue' requires urgent response

Serious concerns are being raised about people's capacity to comply with Victoria's new lockdown orders and the mental health impacts of such prolonged social isolation, writes Professor Ian Hickie.

Gambling and betting after COVID-19

Venue closures offer a chance to seek help to break harmful habits but in the past, financial stimulus packages have increased gambling spending. Join this online research to help us track gambling and betting in the wake of COVID-19.

Modelling shows path to suicide prevention in covid-recovery

New modelling released today by the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre combines productivity and suicide data, demonstrating the benefits of acting urgently and effectively to flatten the mental health 'curve'.

Flip the Clinic

As the COVID-19 situation unfolds, now is the time to rethink how we do things, during this pandemic and beyond. What could a digital present and future look like for mental health?

First dynamic modelling of national suicide prevention strategies released

University of Sydney researchers are recommending urgent national strategies to reduce the mental health impact in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gambling frequency reduced during first wave of COVID-19

A survey by the Gambling Treatment and Research Clinic into the impact of the coronavirus in Australia found a majority reduced their gambling during the first shutdown but about one in 10 increased how often they gambled.

Own work by Khancs12 in Wikimedia Commons

BHP Foundation supports COVID-19 Mental Health Think Tank

COVID-19 Mental Health Response Independent Think Tank brings together a broad range of expertise to pursue evidence-based mental health policy.

Group of people at desks arranged around conference room in discussion

Q&A

Meet Dr Shane Cross, a key member of our Youth Mental Health team

Best Care, First Time

This project will use new and emerging technologies as the vehicle to enhance self-assessment and highly personalised care for young people.

Young man using a smartphone

Brain and Mind Centre Youth Model

The Youth Mental Health and Technology Program provides highly-personalised clinical assessment and online treatment to drastically improve the health outcomes of young people with depression.

Youth mental health service participants.

Dementia and COVID-19

Challenging behaviours and how to manage them. The Brain and Mind Centre’s Ageing and Neurodegeneration team’s guide to supporting someone living with dementia through COVID-19.

Clinician and patient

Tips for Parkinson’s and COVID-19

In memory, Dr Antony Harding

Dr Harding was among the first successful liver transplant recipients in Australia. He famously celebrated his new lease on life by sky-diving six months after his transplant, and went on to become a tireless ambassador for organ donation for transplant and research.

Dr Tony Harding, in memoriam.

Australia’s mental health crisis: philanthropy woes

Findings have been presented after conducting an extensive survey on philanthropists and corporate foundations to understand why they are not doing more to support mental health.

Modelling shows path to suicide prevention in covid-recovery

New modelling released today by the University of Sydney's Brain and Mind Centre combines productivity and suicide data, demonstrating the benefits of acting urgently and effectively to flatten the mental health 'curve'.

2019 News

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04 November 2019

illustration of a yound person using social media

Youth mental health: right level of care needed, first time

Sydney researchers detail a youth mental health model - the result of years of work from the Brain and Mind Centre - based on their findings that the common 'stepped care' approach may be too little, too late.

2018 News

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15 November 2018

Dr Michael Bowen awarded NHMRC grant for novel autism research

University of Sydney researcher Dr Michael Bowen has won a $634,841 NHMRC project grant to develop new approaches for treating autism and improve the health and healthcare of children and their families living with autism.