Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to speak about the remarkable achievements of the Brain Institute in Brisbane. This institute stands at the forefront of brain health research, setting new standards in discovery and innovation not only within Australia but globally.

I recently had the opportunity to meet with a team of researchers in Brisbane, and it was such a revealing and engaging experience to talk about dementia, stress, anxiety, depression, MND, Parkinson's and other brain related diseases. The institute's vision and dedication have placed it among the top research centres globally, driving breakthroughs that shape the future of neuroscience. Under the stewardship of the passionate researchers and clinicians, the institute remains steadfast in its mission to improve brain health for all Australians and beyond.

I was most fortunate to meet with so many passionate scientists and researchers. One of the institute's greatest strengths lies in its spirit of collaboration. By forging partnerships with universities, hospitals and research organisations throughout Australia and across the globe, the Queensland Brain Institute brings experts from diverse fields—neurologists, psychologists, biologists and engineers. These collaborations foster rich knowledge exchange and accelerate the translation of research findings into real-world outcomes. At the heart of the institute's work is a very deep curiosity and drive to answer fundamental questions about the brain—questions that hold the key to tackling devastating conditions like dementia, anxiety, depression, motor neurone disease or MND, Parkinson's and brain tumours. And who knows what other brain diseases and injuries will benefit from this research?

Innovative studies using model organisms such as worms, sheep and mice underpin much of the institute's research. These models provide crucial insight into neuron functions, disease progression and potential interventions. Of particular note are the groundbreaking experiments that have succeeded in removing harmful plaque from the brains of mice with dementia. This gives people who have been diagnosed with dementia and their families hope for the future. This work not only sheds light on the mechanisms of neurodegeneration but also opens the door to future treatments that may one day halt or reverse the course of Alzheimer's disease in humans. People have the mistaken belief that dementia and Alzheimer's only affect older people and are just part of getting old. That is not true. We need to educate the community. Children die from dementia. Early-onset dementia has an amazing impact not only on the person that is on that journey but on their family and on our economy.

The institute's focus extends to other critical challenges. Researchers are advancing our understanding of anxiety and depression—two conditions that affect millions of people and carry a heavy burden for individuals, families and our communities. In fact, they carry a heavy burden in our schools—in our primary schools, in our high schools and in our colleges. Through particular studies, the team is uncovering biological underpinnings of these disorders and identifying new strategies for early detection, intervention and support. Similarly, the institute's commitment to research into motor neurone disease and brain tumours is paving the way for hope.

These researchers are doing fundamental research that is so critical for them in going to the next level. It's inspiring to see these people's commitment and dedication. By exploring the genetic, cellular and environmental factors that contribute to these conditions, researchers are working tirelessly to develop treatments that extend and improve the quality of life. The institute is renowned for its innovative spirit and creativity. It's constantly pushing the boundaries of what is possible. One area of exciting progress is research into re-energising of the mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell, by exploring ways to restore mitochondrial function to brain cells. Associate Professor Steven Zuryn is working with researchers and identifying methods to slow, prevent and even reverse neurodegenerative processes. I was actually able to view this remarkable work, and I never knew that worms have so much in common with human cells. They are the same. The research that he's doing is remarkable. To be able to marvel at the fluorescent worms that were there under the microscope that's being used in the institute—this was a scientist who actually did his PhD in looking at what happens in terms of the sprays and things that we use in agriculture, and now he's actually looking into ways to be able to reverse these types of diseases. It's remarkable.

Further to this is some very interesting gene therapy, including the idea and ability to turn cells on and off. It's truly mind-blowing research and development—cutting-edge science in Brisbane with the wonderful Professor Pankaj Sah, who is so passionate about his work.

Another area of promise lies in neuromodulation technology. The development and deployment of advanced neuromodulation machines allows scientists to stimulate and regulate brain activity with unprecedented precision. These tools offer new avenues for treating conditions ranging from depression to epilepsy, providing hope where traditional therapies may have fallen short. I was able to speak to the institute's leader in this field, Professor Jurgen Gotz. I was actually able to see this equipment in action, and what this technology can accomplish and will accomplish in the future is really amazing. To actually see the ultrasound machine and what it can do with the hope of reversing the symptoms of dementia and other brain diseases is inspiring.

The scanning ultrasound device is the outcome of years of research led by the CJCADR's director, Professor Jurgen Gotz, and his team. The trial device was co-designed with Tiller Design. In 2024, the QBI team completed the first human clinical safety trials. In 2025, the University of Queensland licensed the ultrasound pilot technology to Ceretas, a private country that intends to develop it to treat Alzheimer's disease. QBI continues to collaborate closely with Ceretas, providing scientific guidance and expertise to ensure research findings are translated safely and effectively.

In 2026, the QBI ultrasound research team will continue to progress its pivotal study, testing feasibility and efficacy, under the guidance of the professor and that team. The hope for Alzheimer patients means so much. When that machine goes into production—they're on the second version of it—it will mean that that will be affordable for hospitals and specialists so that we hopefully will be able, with early diagnosis, to turn back many of those symptoms. The clinical trial is supported by $4.5 million in funding from the Queensland government. The trial will elevate Ceretas's device for behavioural and psychological symptoms in Alzheimer's.

This work is so critically important because we know that dementia is now the leading cause of death in this country. There is so much work to do here. The help that it can, hopefully, give to children who are diagnosed with early-onset dementia—this sort of research is so critical and deserves the funding, and I wanted to give a big shout-out to the team. It was a bit like speed dating, going from one professor and one lab to another, and there was so much to learn. It's a shout-out to Australians' innovation and the global respect that is felt by Australian researchers.