Brain Foundation

12/06/2026

“Mum was always a very vivacious, outgoing, and adventurous human.”

This is how Pascale remembers her mum, Ingrid, before her 15-year journey with dementia. Today, Pascale wishes she could still sit with her mum and reminisce about adventures like this one.

Help protect precious memories. Please donate to brain research before June 30. All gifts over $2 are tax-deductible.

Visit https://qrco.de/giveEOFY to support.

Pascale Terry

09/06/2026

Happy ! Can you think of a common word in the English language that uses the letter sequence thq?

(The letters are in that exact order)

If you've got the answer, drop an 🧠 emoji in the comments.

09/06/2026

We are deeply saddened by the passing of Professor Richard Scolyer AO, following an extraordinary fight against glioblastoma — the most aggressive form of brain cancer.

In the face of a disease that has seen almost no meaningful progress in decades, Professor Scolyer refused to accept the odds. He became both researcher and patient, pioneering experimental immunotherapy approaches while sharing his journey with openness, optimism and a courage that moved a nation.

His work has inspired a generation of researchers and clinicians to keep searching for better ways to fight this cruel disease. His challenge to us remains — and has never felt more urgent: "Stay inquisitive and brave, and keep striving to break new ground."

Vale, Professor Richard Scolyer AO. Your legacy is already shaping the future.

My fellow Australians,

I pen this letter as a final goodbye to all those I have had the immense privilege of loving, sharing life’s adventures with, working alongside and meeting during what can only be described as a life filled with happiness, optimism, opportunity and passion.

My intention is for this letter to be published upon my passing - as my final farewell.

I cannot thank my beautiful wife Katie and my adored children Emily, Matthew and Lucy enough for their love, their support, their strength, and their compassion. They are shining examples of the best of humanity and make me extremely proud.

To my research and clinical colleagues, I implore you to stay inquisitive and brave and keep striving to break new ground.

To all cancer patients, I encourage you to consider enrolling in research and clinical trials, if on offer.

And to government and the wider community, please keep funding science and medical research. This is the most impactful way that you too can make a difference.

Perhaps the greatest lesson to come from these last three years is that cancer does not define us. It may be the current road we are travelling, but it is not our entire journey.

A terminal cancer diagnosis does however provide clarity as to what truly matters. It shines a spotlight on the importance of relationships, on true friendship and on selflessness.

If my legacy was to continue beyond these words, I would be delighted and humbled to be remembered as a proud everyday Aussie who “gave it a crack”, and in doing so, inspired others to pursue their dreams and passions with humility, love and compassion.

With much love and gratitude,
Richard

04/06/2026

Imagine you are fully conscious, awake, and capable of thinking, but you can't move any part of your body except your eyes.

This is the reality of Locked-In Syndrome (LiS) - a rare neurological disorder resulting from damage to the pons (brainstem).

Shannan Keen is a neuroscientist and LiS manager at the Brain Foundation. This article in The Australian features two stories of real people living with LiS and insights from Shannan's decades-long experience in the field - bringing light to a rare and isolating condition.

In 2012, Shannan established the Australian Register for Disorders of Consciousness (ARDoC) to serve patients with severe consciousness impairments, including coma, vegetative states, and LiS.

In 2022, she established an annual LiS conference. An international event that brings together leading specialists, researchers, and patients. The 2026 event is coming up soon, on June 8th. It is free and held on Zoom. Find out more information at the link in the comments.

Those with locked-in syndrome have fully active minds but cannot move or speak. A Sydney University researcher has helped some to tell their stories: https://bit.ly/4a0ZifI

03/06/2026

What do brain freeze and migraine have to do with each other? 🍦
What new blood marker could help diagnose concussion in older adults? 🩸
Why might we yawn? 🥱

This and more in the May Neuro News Wrap. Swipe to read.

02/06/2026

Who has played along while watching Letters and Numbers on SBS? 📺

Today's will get those maths cogs turning.

If you aren't familiar with the game...
🎯 Your goal is to reach the target of 332 using the six number tiles provided. You can use addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Constraints:
➡️ Each tile can be used only once. Fractions are not allowed at any step, and the running total must never go negative. You do not have to use all six numbers.

You might need to grab a pen and paper for this one. Did you solve it?

Let us know in the comments!

31/05/2026

Pascale didn't lose her mum, Ingrid, all at once. She has lost her little by little for 15 years.

Too many Australian families know the heartbreak of the long goodbye. The living grief of dementia.

Please, if you can, share or make a tax-deductible gift to brain research before June 30 and join the fight against this cruel disease.

Link in comments to support 💚

Thank you, Pascale, for sharing your story.

29/05/2026

Today is World Multiple Sclerosis Day (MS).

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic neurological disease where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks myelin, the fatty coating around nerves. This disrupts signals between the brain and the rest of the body, leading to symptoms like loss of motor function.

Dr Izanne Roos is one of our 2025 Brain Foundation grant recipients. Her team at Royal Melbourne Hospital are investigating the efficacy of a type of treatment called anti-CD20 therapies.

You can read more about her project on our website 🔎

27/05/2026

Brain cancer is unforgiving. Glioblastoma (GBM), the deadliest form of brain cancer, carries a median survival of just 15 months.

Despite decades of research, treatment options and survival rates have remained largely unchanged.

But that picture is beginning to shift. Across Australia, researchers are approaching glioblastoma from new angles – and the Brain Foundation is proud to have supported their work.

Read the full article on our website under articles and news.

Grey May is Brain Cancer and Brain Tumour Awareness Month. 🩶🤍