The
Brain Recovery Clinic at The University of Auckland Clinics aims to deliver
cutting-edge research from the laboratory directly to the community. Bringing
together world-leading brain scientists and expert clinicians, we aim to find
and develop new treatments for brain disease like stroke.
Stroke is the third biggest killer in New Zealand, killing more than 2000 people
every year. For those who survive, disability can be a fact of life. Indeed
there are 45,000 stroke survivors in New Zealand, making it the major cause of
adult disability. The Brain Recovery Clinic is the first place in New Zealand to
offer ongoing rehabilitation and research to monitor and enhance long-term
recovery from stroke.
Coming to see us
Referrals to the clinic need to be made by your GP, Stroke Foundation of New
Zealand field officer or other health worker. Please visit the clinics website,
talk to your health professional or call us for more information.
The University of Auckland Clinics
Tāmaki Innovation Campus
Building 730, Ground Floor, Gate 1, 261 Morrin Road
Glen Innes, Auckland
Phone: 09 923 8887
Fax: 09 303 5978
Email:
brainrecovery@auckland.ac.nz
Brain Recovery Clinic leaflet(297.0KB PDF)
BRC Referral Letter for health professionals(80.8KB PDF)
BRC Referral letter for health professionals(189.5KB DOC)
How the clinic works
At the Brain Recovery Clinic our specialist neurology team will
assess you to determine your medical history and current condition. They will
ensure that everything is being done to reduce the risk of another stroke.
Expert nurses, speech language therapists, exercise physiologists,
physiotherapists, psychologists and other specialists also form part of the team
to meet all of your recovery needs. The initial appointment takes 2-3 hours.
Following this comprehensive assessment, you may then be referred to other
clinical teams that are appropriate for your situation. Referrals may be made
for future appointments with therapists working in the brain recovery clinic, or
other specialists in The University of Auckland Clinics. You may also be
referred to other health professionals outside of the Brain Recovery Clinic.
Your GP and other health workers will be kept informed of your treatment and
progress as necessary.
Cutting-edge research
Where appropriate the
clinic team may give you the option to take part in studies looking at new
treatment or rehabilitation therapies. Research at the Centre for Brain Research shows the brain is
“plastic”, by which regions of the brain not damaged by stroke and other
neurological conditions take over the function of the damaged brain. This means
rehabilitation following brain injury is a viable option. Whilst most recovery
takes place in the first three months after a stroke, our research shows that
improvements can still be made many years later. The Centre for Brain Research’s
team is developing new therapies and treatment protocols for brain disease.
People living with the effects of a stroke will be given expert advice about the
best treatment options for their situation.
Potential new research and therapies arising from the Brain Recovery Clinic are:
- Stroke patient monitoring and therapeutic support
- Individualised assessment and tailored rehabilitation prescriptions using
cutting-edge imaging and physiological evaluation
- Advice and application of new therapies currently being developed by researchers
in the Centre:
- Personalised ongoing medical support for community patients
- Non-invasive brain stimulation to prime brain plasticity for rehabilitation
- Prescribed self-directed therapy at home using an innovative mechanical priming
device developed in the Centre
- Research on the widespread application of these new therapies
- Focal points for the stroke community for recovery assessment
- Research into biological indicators known as biomarkers for monitoring stroke
progression and improvement in conjunction with the Biobank
- Research into genetic analysis, diagnosis and progression for stroke and other
diseases
- Cognitive testing for people with neurological disorders
- New potential drug therapies for brain disease.
Research at the Brain Recovery Clinic is generously supported by the
Freemasons of New Zealand.
To hear about research studies as
they happen, join our Research Volunteer
Register.
Who do we help?
Anyone who has had a
stroke can attend the clinic for an assessment of their current condition.
People who have had transient ischemic attacks may also attend the clinic. We
are able to see people who are referred by their GP or other health
professional, or a Stroke Foundation of New Zealand field officer. The initial
assessment is scheduled by our research nurse. Future referral appointments can
be made at your convenience.
Your symptoms
may include:
- Communication difficulties (including aphasia and dysarthria)
- Swallowing problems
- Weakness or paralysis
- Loss of sensation
- Clumsiness
What other services are available?
The Centre for Brain Research is a focal point for brain recovery research in
the community. We recognise how difficult it can be to live with the effects of
brain disease, and we aim to provide as much support as possible. Working with
the Stroke Foundation of New Zealand, Aphasia New Zealand and other community
groups, we offer a range of community activities. We are currently running an
aphasia cafe, a carer’s clinic, and a choir for
people with communication difficulties.
