The Healthy Brain and Memory Centre

The test having a media moment right now measures a protein in the blood called phosphorylated tau 217, a biomarker strongly associated with the presence of amyloid pathology in the brain.

This is exciting because it has the potential to identify the biological changes of Alzheimer’s disease years, even decades before symptoms become apparent.

While pTau217 is one of the most promising advances we’ve seen in dementia diagnostics, it is NOT a standalone diagnostic test and it is not currently intended as a screening test for the general population.

A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease still relies on the complete clinical picture, including:

🧠 A detailed medical history
🧠 Cognitive assessment
🧠 Neurological examination
🧠 Brain imaging where appropriate
🧠 Blood tests to exclude other causes of cognitive symptoms
🧠 Biomarker testing in carefully selected patients

As research continues, blood biomarkers like pTau217 are expected to become an increasingly important part of diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease earlier, more accurately and less invasively than ever before.

Early diagnosis matters. It provides an opportunity to investigate treatable causes of memory concerns, plan for the future, access appropriate support and, for some people, determine whether they may be suitable for emerging disease-modifying therapies or clinical trials.

It’s an incredibly exciting time in dementia research, and we’ll be watching these developments closely as they continue to evolve.

Could your sense of smell reveal the earliest biological changes associated with dementia? Proud to be part of an exciting collaboration at the forefront of dementia research!

We’re incredibly excited to share that we’ve been awarded a research grant to investigate a groundbreaking new approach to the early detection of neurodegenerative disease in collaboration with the Griffith University Clem Jones Centre for Neurobiology and Stem Cell Research.

Our research will explore the emerging relationship between loss of smell, the nasal microbiome, and the earliest biological changes associated with dementia.

Specifically, we’re investigating whether changes inside the nose; including the community of bacteria that naturally live there could provide important clues about a person’s future risk of developing neurodegenerative disease, long before symptoms become apparent.

This is an exciting and rapidly evolving field of research, and while there’s still much to learn, every discovery brings us one step closer to understanding these devastating diseases.

We can’t wait to share more as the project progresses. 🙏🏼

There are several medical conditions that can cause problems with memory, concentration and thinking that may resemble dementia.

Some are treatable. Some are reversible. Others require completely different management.

Some of the more common examples include:

🧠 Depression – Severe depression can cause profound problems with memory, concentration and thinking.

🧠 Medication side effects – Some medications, particularly those with anticholinergic effects, sedatives, opioids and some sleep medications, can impair cognition.

🧠 Vitamin B12 deficiency – Low vitamin B12 can affect memory, balance and nerve function.

🧠 Thyroid disorders – An underactive thyroid can cause slowed thinking, fatigue and memory problems.

🧠 Sleep disorders – Untreated obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic sleep deprivation can significantly affect attention, memory and executive function.

🧠 Delirium – An infection, dehydration or other acute illness can cause sudden confusion, particularly in older adults. This is a medical emergency and is not the same as dementia.

🧠 Alcohol and other medical conditions – Excessive alcohol use and a range of neurological and systemic illnesses can also affect cognition.

‼️ Importantly, having one of these conditions doesn’t rule out dementia, and some people have more than one contributing cause.

Diagnosing memory problems should never rely on a memory test alone.

A comprehensive assessment looks at your symptoms, medical history, medications, mood, sleep, blood tests, brain imaging and, where appropriate, more advanced investigations.

Firstly you don’t need to know exactly what you need before making an appointment. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why people come…and why they keep coming back…

🧠 I’m worried about my memory.

🧠 I have a family history of dementia and want to reduce my risk.

🧠 I want to be proactive and optimise my brain health.

🧠 I’ve been diagnosed with Mild Cognitive Impairment or dementia.

🧠 I need a review of my medications.

🧠 I want to learn more about the new dementia drugs.

🧠 I need a personalised brain health or dementia care plan.

🧠 My loved one has dementia and I don’t know where to turn.

🧠 I need help navigating the health and aged care system.

🧠 I want to know if I’m eligible for the latest evidence-based treatments or clinical trials.

🧠 I want a safe place to talk about my mental health.

🧠 I’m having problems with my balance or I’ve had a fall.

🧠 I’ve noticed changes in my hearing and wonder if it’s affecting my brain health.

🧠 I’d like support from a dietitian to improve my brain health.

🧠 I feel isolated and need support and connection.

Some people come to us because they’re worried about their memory.

Others want to do everything they can to protect their brain health before problems develop.

Some have been diagnosed with dementia and need expert assessment, treatment and ongoing care.

Others simply know something isn’t quite right and are looking for answers, reassurance and support.

Whatever brings you through our doors, our goal is the same: to listen, understand your concerns, provide a comprehensive assessment, and develop a personalised, multidisciplinary plan that helps you live as well as possible.

Please don’t be afraid to reach out. If you’re wondering whether we can help, let’s find out together. 🤍 please make the call now.

Brains feel no pain. It sounds impossible… but it’s true. The brain itself has no pain receptors (nociceptors), so it cannot directly feel pain.

The pain from a headache usually comes from pain-sensitive structures surrounding the brain, including the meninges (the protective coverings of the brain), blood vessels, cranial nerves and muscles of the head and neck.

This is also why some brain operations can be performed while a patient is awake. Although the brain itself cannot feel pain, the scalp, skull and other surrounding tissues can, so appropriate anaesthesia is still used.

🧠 The fact that your brain can’t feel pain doesn’t mean it’s not being affected by disease.

Many neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia, develop silently over many years and don’t cause pain in the brain itself.

Pain is one of the body’s warning systems. The brain often whispers instead. Learning to recognise those whispers may give us the opportunity to act sooner.

Your eyes capture light, but it’s your brain that transforms those signals into the faces you recognise, the words you read and the world you experience.

A substantial proportion of the brain is involved in processing visual information, making vision one of its most important sources of sensory input. When vision is reduced, the brain receives less detailed information.

People with vision loss may also become less socially and physically active, both of which are independently associated with cognitive decline.

Untreated vision loss is one of the 14 modifiable risk factors for dementia.

Research shows it’s associated with an increased risk and treating avoidable vision impairment is now considered an extremely important part of protecting long-term brain health.

Weekend challenge; We’re making that call and booking the appointment to get a clearer picture on our vision. 🙏🏼

Every memory you form, every conversation you have and every decision you make relies on brain cells converting glucose into energy. (The brain’s preferred fuel)

Recent PET imaging studies have shown that during the menopause transition, some women have reduced glucose metabolism in specific regions of the brain. In other words, these areas are using less of the brain’s primary fuel than expected.

Researchers are now investigating whether these metabolic changes help explain why many women experience symptoms such as brain fog, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating during midlife.

They are also studying whether these findings may represent some of the earliest biological changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease in susceptible women.

Importantly, this does not mean menopause causes Alzheimer’s, and it does not mean brain fog in menopause is an early sign of dementia.

What these studies do suggest is that menopause isn’t just a reproductive transition. It’s also a period of significant brain adaptation, making midlife an increasingly important window for supporting long-term brain health.

Perimenopause is a great time to get proactive with a Healthy Brain Check. We want to get a baseline, we want to start tracking changes, we want to focus on modifiable risk factors and put a plan together for you.