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Antipsychotic drugs, like clozapine, can stabilise some schizophrenia symptoms, but they do not cure the illness and can cause severe side effects. At UQ, a neuroscientist, a chemist and a psychiatrist have hit on a formulation that may revolutionise the treatment of schizophrenia. The research team, led by Professor Darryl Eyles and Dr Xiaoying Cui, are investigating a new delivery mode for clozapine, in the hope that it may be better tolerated by people living with schizophrenia and improve their quality of life. In this engaging conversation, Darryl and Xiaoying discuss:  Treatment-resistant schizophrenia and the side-effects of clozapineCollaborating with chemists to develop intranasal deliveryWhat they have found so far in preclinical studies The potential impact of their research on schizophrenia treatmentRelated resources Intranasal clozapine sol-gel formulation induces an antipsychotic effect at a fraction of a comparable oral therapeutic dose Epitranscriptomic regulation of striatal function: a new neurobiology of schizophrenia Schizophrenia research at QBI

In neurodegenerative diseases, about 99% are associated with protein molecules aggregating together. In recent years, super-resolution microscopy has revolutionised how scientists view these minute molecules aggregating, along with other cellular events.  QBI’s Professor Fred Meunier advocated that The University of Queensland invest in super-resolution microscopy; this had paid dividends, revealing fascinating discoveries about the nanoworld. Professor Meunier and his lab can now observe molecules moving in space and time and are developing new techniques to better understand how our cells help us treat brain disorders and diseases. In this dynamic conversation, Professor Fred Meunier and Anusha Malapaka discuss How super-resolution microscopy worksThe different types of super-resolution microscopyWhat super-resolution microscopy allows us to seeAI’s impact on future super-resolution microscopy technologyRelated resources Unravelling the mysteries of the presynapse with super-resolution microscopy  Nanoscale spatiotemporal cluster analysis of expressed and endogenous proteins

Despite its everyday use in hospitals, scientists have yet to fully understand how general anaesthesia works. Professor Bruno van Swinderen began studying general anaesthesia using the tiny worm C.elegans in the 1990s. Now in his lab at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Bruno and Dr Drew Cylinder are studying general anaesthesia reversal agents, which could shorten patients’ recovery time and potentially reduce the risk of post-operative complications. In this thought-provoking discussion, Bruno and Drew explore: How party drugs led to general anaesthetics The difference between local, regional, and general anaesthetics General anaesthesia’s effect on the brainImproving anaesthesia and the role of reversal agentsSleep, consciousness and anaesthesiaRelated resources Corals and fruit flies aid understanding of anaesthesia

Mitochondria are known as the powerhouses of our cells, but research is revealing their wide role in brain health and links to rare genetic diseases that affect the brain. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Professor Steven Zuryn, a leading researcher in this field, and PhD student Tessa Onraet are investigating how keeping mitochondria healthy may help brain function. By studying tiny but experimentally powerful worms, C. elegans, their discoveries may help us understand more about the ageing brain and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases.    In this engaging conversation, Steven and Tessa discuss: Mitochondria’s role in evolutionThe unique DNA inside mitochondriaWhy tiny worms called C.elegans are useful for studying mitochondriaHow our brain cells react to damaged mitochondriaThe future of mitochondria researchRelated papers and resources Digging deep into distinctly different DNAC. elegans as a model to study mitochondrial biology and disease

Exercise has many health benefits, including for our brains. Recent discoveries at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute offer new clues about the mechanisms that generate exercise’s positive effects. In their labs, Dr Tara Walker and Professor Jana Vukovic investigate how exercise enhances cognitive capacity from different angles. They study various mechanisms that can improve learning, memory, and neurogenesis. They are both on the cusp of clinical trials to begin translating their findings into practice.   In this captivating conversation, Tara and Jana explore: How exercise impacts the brainThe process of neurogenesisWhether we can replicate the effects of exerciseHow exercise affects the brain’s primary immune cells (microglia) Why they want to see exercise prescribed Related papers and resources  Exercise can help slow cognitive decline What the evidence tells us about exercise and healthy brain ageing Platelets can replicate the benefits of exercise in the brain UQ research reveals exercise brain boost can last for years

Virtual reality (VR) is changing how scientists study memory, and it involves exploring virtual mazes. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, cognitive neuroscience leader Professor Jason Mattingley, PhD student Richard Ronayne, and research assistant Jayce Rushton are conducting VR experiments that they hope will be adopted in clinical settings to test people’s navigational and spatial memory.   In part two of this two-part series, our guests discuss: The challenge of using VR when conducting experimentsParticipants’ reactions to trying the VR memory testBuilding a virtual maze to test memoryHow VR can be used in a clinical settingWhy VR could help people struggling with memory loss Related papers and resources  Interpreting memory

Virtual reality (VR) is more than just a video game tool — it’s helping advance our understanding of memory. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, cognitive neuroscientist Professor Jason Mattingley, PhD student Richard Ronayne, and research assistant Jayce Rushton are using VR to immerse people in a world they can explore to test their navigational and spatial memory.   In part one of this two-part series, our guests discuss: The different types of memory Why traditional memory tests may need refiningRichard’s unique journey from mining sites to neuroscience labsThe inspiration behind using VR to test memory What a VR experiment looks like for participants Related papers and resources: What is memory? Types of memory

Professor Massimo Hilliard and Dr Ramon Martinez-Marmol grew up far from Queensland – Massimo in Naples, Italy, and Ramon in Catalonia, Spain. Their passion for biology led them both overseas as postdoctoral researchers: Massimo to the United States, and then Ramon to Australia. In 2015, they met at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, where Ramon joined the Meunier lab before moving to the Hilliard lab in 2020 as a Research Fellow. Together, they have been extending the limits of what is known or expected about neuronal fusion.    In this fascinating conversation, Massimo and Ramon explore:  What happens when neurons fuse How viral infections, like Covid-19, can induce fusion, disrupting neural circuits The surprising role of a tiny, transparent roundworm, C.elegans, in advancing their research How the lab’s discoveries of critical molecular players, like fusogens, may one day revolutionise nerve injury repairAdvice for early-career researchers pursuing discovery science Related resources   SARS-CoV-2 infection and viral fusogens cause neuronal and glial fusion that compromises neuronal activity EFF-1-mediated regenerative axonal fusion requires components of the apoptotic pathway Fusogen-mediated neuron−neuron fusion disrupts neural circuit connectivity and alters animal behavior

In this special World Stroke Day edition, three remarkable women open up about stroke from every angle — surviving it, treating it, and fighting it in the lab. Letishia Living was just 35 when her life changed overnight; today, she’s a powerful voice for young stroke survivors. Tennille Rowland, an occupational therapist on the frontlines of recovery, reveals the strategies behind rebuilding lives and QBI neuroscientist, Dr Matilde Balbi, takes us inside her cutting-edge research searching for new treatments to heal the brain. In this informative podcast, our three guests discuss: Surviving a stroke as a parentAdvice for stroke survivors and the importance of support networksThe challenges for young stroke survivors in the acute recovery phaseStrategies to support young stroke survivorsHow the brain recovers from strokeGamma frequency stimulation's role in stroke recovery Related papers and Resources  The brief executive language screen: sensitivity and specificity in acute to early sub-acute stroke New screening tool to help stroke survivors Stroke signs and symptoms Queensland Brain Injury Collaborative The Stroke Foundation

In this episode, Dr Margreet Ridder — whose project was ranked the top FightMND-funded study in 2024 — reflects on her journey to becoming a researcher at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI) with her group leader, Professor Pankaj Sah. She shares how her fascination with neuronal communication led her to electrophysiology and ultimately to pursue gene therapy as a potential treatment for motor neurone disease (MND).  In this insightful conversation, Pankaj and Margreet discuss:  Why hyperactivity in neurons has become an attractive target for MND treatments The science of gene therapy Gene therapy’s potential to treat MND  How viruses can be harnessed for good  The challenges discovery scientists face Discover how their work is paving the way for future treatments — and why hope for MND starts with discovery.   Related resources  The story behind Margreet’s pioneering research into MND  Motor neurone disease

Please note that this episode contains discussions about suicidal ideation, which some listeners may find distressing. If you or someone you know is affected by these kinds of issues, we encourage you to seek support from professional services.  Heather Cruickshank was pursuing a lifelong dream to become a medical doctor when bipolar disorder, a complex mental health condition, stopped her in her tracks and forced her to rethink her career. A chance encounter with QBI Associate Professor Susannah Tye, internationally renowned for her research into the biological mechanisms behind mood disorders, encouraged Heather to use her lived experience to pave the way for more effective treatments for bipolar disorder.      In this compelling conversation, Sue and Heather explore:  ·       The link between mental and physical health  ·       What it’s like to have bipolar disorder  ·       Why studying the biology of mood disorders matters  ·       The role of melatonin, oxidative stress and dopamine ·       How lived experience can help shape research

While countless supplements and products promise to reverse aging without scientific proof, the real secret to defying age may be found in the study of epigenetics. This field of study explores how our behaviours and environment can lead to changes that influence how our genes function.  Dr Anne Hahn from the Zuryn laboratory has recently discovered a mechanism in the DNA of genes that regulates how disease-causing mutations are inherited. The findings offer a promising therapeutic avenue to stop the onset of heritable and age-related diseases.  In this informative interview Dr Hahn explains: Why the old belief that DNA mutations inevitably lead to disease might not be true The important part mitochondria play in cell ageing The lifestyle factors the can influence our genetic make-up Why epigenetic modification is important in age-related diseases Related Resources  Cell protein discovery points to healthier ageing

Dr Matt Kenna is fascinated by the science of memory. As a researcher at UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Matt is tasked with challenging prominent theories centred around one of the biggest unknowns in the world of neuroscience. Memory is fundamental to our identity, shaping who we are. As a member of the Sah lab, Matt studies synaptic plasticity to explore how memories are formed, retrieved, and influence behavior. In this engaging conversation, Matt discusses: How memory is definedWhere memories are stored in the brainThe importance of sleep in consolidating memoryWhy some memories are more important than othersHow we can delay cognitive decline and improve memory in old age Related papers and resources Interpreting memory: Research and Innovation Week 2024 Podcast: Train your brain UQ Research reveals exercise brain boost can last for years UQ Research reveals new brain networks critical to memory formation

Professor John McGrath, a distinguished clinician and researcher at UQ's Queensland Brain Institute, is at the forefront of global mental health research. Growing up in Brisbane, John initially pursued a career as a psychiatrist before transitioning to groundbreaking research aimed at unraveling the complexities of mental health disorders. Co-leading a major international study in collaboration with The University of Queensland and Harvard Medical School, John’s research revealed that one in two people will develop a mental health disorder by the age of 75. This pivotal study sheds light on crucial questions about mental health. In this fascinating conversation, Professor McGrath discusses: The recent study findings showing how half of us will develop a mental health disorder by age 75.What epidemiology means, and why its useful in understanding mental health.The value of discovery science.The beauty of collaboration to reach a common goal.Whether mental health disorders could be prevented in the future.

Mr Mehershad Wadia has written numerous scripts for short comedies screened at international film festivals like Mumbai and San Francisco, joined the writing team for the third season of The Office India and published a children’s book. Matching his passion for entertainment is Mehershad’s commitment to brain research. He is adamant there is no reason to choose between the two. At UQ’s Queensland Brain Institute, Mehershad works in the Hilliard lab, studying the nervous system of c.elegans.   In this insightful conversation, Mehershad explains:   How the right experimental conditions led to a stand-up comedy career What studying worm brains can teach us about the human brain The parallels between comedy and science Why he became a writer for The Office during the pandemic How skills in the arts and science are helpful in any career.