Working together to improve lives
The Centre for Brain Research exists to find and develop new treatments for brain
disease.
We comprise over 200 researchers at The University of Auckland,
the leading neurologists, neurosurgeons and physicians from the Auckland regional
District Health Boards and community non-governmental organisations.
Understanding the brain is the last frontier of medical research and one of the
most challenging areas in medicine. By unlocking the secrets of the brain we learn
more about ourselves, who we are and our future. Our discoveries have the potential
to change the lives of people living with neurological disease.
The combined strengths of our scientific, clinical and community pillars will provide
a platform for success. The University of Auckland is one of the top-ranked universities
in the world, and is internationally recognised for its neuroscience research. The
Neurology and Neurosurgical Departments in Auckland are amongst the largest in Australasia.
Doctors from Auckland District Health Board, working in partnership with other expert
clinicians from Auckland and Northland DHBs, provide care for over a third of New
Zealand’s population.
Local and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) offer
a rich network of support groups, rendering invaluable assistance to people and
their whānau living with neurological disease.
Our scientists, doctors and community specialists work at every level; from the
laboratory to the clinic to whānau and community. By working together we will
provide a brighter future for people and families with brain disease.
Our vision(1.4MB PDF)
Our goals
Unlock the secrets of the brain
- Build on our world-class research, national and international collaborations through
multi-disciplinary studies on the brain, from the gene to the cell to the mind.
- Utilise advanced scientific technologies including the invaluable resources of the
Neurological Foundation of New Zealand Human Brain Bank, and capitalise on our discovery
that the human brain can make new brain cells.
Develop new therapies
- Translate our research from the laboratory to the clinic to improve the lives of
people with brain diseases.
- Expand and develop our ongoing clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease, Stroke,
Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Motor Neurone
Disease and others currently in development.
Improve clinical care
- Advance standards of patient care through improved diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation
and health services.
Train scientists and clinicians
-
Create a culture change in training where there is a clinical focus in the laboratory
and a research focus in the clinic and community.
Engage with our communities
- Work in partnership with community NGOs to ensure we address the needs of people
and their families affected by brain disease.
- Empower the community to share their knowledge and expertise to advance our research
and clinical care for the common good.
Educate and inform
- Influence health policy through active local and national engagement.
- Disseminate our findings to the international scientific and clinical communities
by publishing in top-ranked journals and addressing international forums.
- Inform the community through the media and active educational programmes.
