UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing

11/06/2026

🎧 “My passion was in the relationship between the brain and the mind … and I’ve followed that passion for the rest of my life.”

Professor Perminder Sachdev AM recently sat down for an interview with Bench Side Story to discuss the highlights of his extensive and varied research career.

With interests spanning neuropsychiatric disorders of ageing, dementia, neuroimaging, as well as poetry and philosophy, Prof. Sachdev shares the influences and experiences which have shaped his journey.

Watch the full interview 🔗 https://benchsidestory.com/region/oceania/brain-ageing-dementia-and-psychiatric-disorders/

02/06/2026

📢 Don’t miss the free community lecture ‘Act Now for Dementia and Healthy Brains’

Join Senior Australian of the Year, Professor Henry Brodaty AO, for an engaging discussion sharing practical, evidence-based findings on reducing dementia risk.

📅 Wednesday 3 June, 2:00pm–4:00pm

📍 Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Sydney

The lecture, presented as part of the Australian Dementia Research Forum 2026, will explore dementia prevention and maintaining cognitive wellbeing, with insights from Professor Brodaty alongside Professor Kaarin Anstey, Professor Brendan Lucey and Professor Christopher Rowe.

Learn more about latest dementia research developments and have your questions answered by leading experts.

Register for free to secure your spot🔗 https://www.australiandementianetwork.org.au/adrf-community-lecture/

02/06/2026

📢 New $3 million national initiative to help Australians maintain brain health and reduce dementia risk has been announced.

Australia is set to lead the world in dementia prevention as UNSW Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) is expanding the Maintain Your Brain trial nationally, following a major grant award by the Medical Research Future Fund.

Led by Senior Australian of the Year Professor Henry Brodaty AO, the new initiative - Maintain Your Brain Plus (MYB+) - will deliver a digital brain health and healthy ageing program to Australians aged 45–79, with a focus on rural and regional communities.

“This funding allows us to move from successful clinical trial evidence to real-world national implementation. Our vision is to make brain health promotion as widely recognised and accessible as campaigns like ‘Slip, Slop, Slap’,” said Professor Brodaty.

Over the next five years, MYB+ will recruit approximately 5,000 participants and evaluate impacts on cognition, quality of life, physical and mental health, healthcare utilisation and cost-effectiveness.

The research team brings together experts from UNSW, University of Sydney, Western Sydney University, University of Wollongong, Macquarie University and major health and consumer organisations including Dementia Australia, Council on the Ageing New South Wales, Life. Be in it - SA, Primary Health Networks and international digital partner NeuroNation.

The team hopes this will lay the foundation for a future that empowers Australians to take proactive steps toward healthier ageing.

19/05/2026

📢 Free community lecture on dementia

Join leading experts for an afternoon of practical, evidence-based insights into brain health, dementia prevention, diagnosis and treatment as part of , hosted by Australian Dementia Network.

CHeBA’s Professor Henry Brodaty AO, 2026 Senior Australian of the Year, will present alongside Professor Kaarin Anstey, Professor Brendan Lucey and Professor Christopher Rowe.

📅 Wednesday 3 June 2026
🕑 2 - 4 pm (2pm refreshments, 2.30pm start)
📍 Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency Sydney
☕ Afternoon tea provided
🎟️ Free community event

🔗 Register:

Free Community Lecture on Dementia: “Act Now for Dementia and Healthy Brains”Date: Wednesday 3 June 2026Time: 2:00pm to 4:00pm ( 2:00pm refreshments, 2:30pm start)Location: Grand Ballroom, Hyatt Regency, 161 Sussex Street, Sydney, NSW 2000Tickets: Tickets to the Free Community Lecture are availa...

18/05/2026

CHeBA researcher Dr Suraj Samtani shares practical insights in KeepAble on how reablement approaches can help strengthen social and cognitive health in older adults.

From small, meaningful interactions to rebuilding confidence and independence, the article highlights how supporting social health can help reduce dementia risk and improve overall wellbeing.

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Learn how reablement supports social and cognitive health in older people. Access practical tips to help older people make meaningful connections.

14/05/2026

📢 This week's Federal Budget recognises the growing impact of dementia in Australia, with important investments in aged care and specialist dementia support programs. CHeBA Co-Directors Scientia Professor Henry Brodaty AO and Scientia Professor Perminder Sachdev welcomed the announcement, highlighting that while expanded dementia care services are a vital step forward, long-term progress depends on sustained investment in research.

“Research is not an optional extra - it is the foundation of better care. It is how we improve diagnosis, develop new and more effective interventions, and build care systems that are both high-quality and sustainable.”

As the number of Australians living with dementia continues to rise, CHeBA remains committed to advancing world-leading research into healthy brain ageing, prevention, early intervention and improved care outcomes.

Read more via news.com.au: https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/200m-dementia-boost-in-budget-not-enough-warns-top-expert/news-story/1d6e7d8fcc170d5690bd84418b5f4868

UNSW Medicine & Health News.com.au

12/05/2026

Ultra‑processed foods may affect focus and increase dementia risk 🥗🧠

An SBS News article featuring CHeBA’s research and Dr Matt Lennon highlights new evidence linking ultra‑processed foods to poorer focus and increased dementia risk, even for people who otherwise eat well.

The study found that for every 10% increase in ultra‑processed food intake, focus and thinking speed declined. These findings reinforce growing evidence that lifestyle factors, including diet, play an important role in long‑term brain health.

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Even small increases in ultra-processed foods can lead to poorer brain function, regardless of diet quality, a new study has found.

11/05/2026

New research 🧠

A new study has identified potential biological targets that could guide future treatments for vascular dementia, a common yet currently untreatable condition.

Using large-scale genetic analysis, researchers uncovered key genes linked to dementia risk and brain vessel damage, offering new directions for drug development and prevention.

“This is an important first step” - Dr Matthew Lennon, lead author.

🔗 https://www.unsw.edu.au/news/2026/04/study-identifies-new-treatment-targets-for-vascular-dementia

Authors: Dr Matthew Lennon, Ying Xu, Anbu Thalamuthu, Karen Mather, Professor Perminder Sachdev
Published in: Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions