Using Our Brains Donor Program

15/08/2025

We have been having fun challenging our memory with the BrainTrack app, created by Dementia Australia. Give it a try! 🧠

Are you concerned about changes in your thinking or memory? Games and challenges on this new app give you data you can share with your GP.

17/04/2025

From Anxiety to Alzheimer’s, Music Makes a Difference

Music therapy is emerging as a powerful adjunctive treatment for a range of health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, chronic pain, neurological disorders, and emotional stress.

A new study explored how music can preserve memory and communication.

Active music therapy, like singing or playing instruments, and passive methods, such as listening, both show measurable benefits in clinical settings.

03/04/2025

This week we've been reading this moving article about Frances, who successfully donated her brain for medical research to our colleagues at the MS Brain Bank. Brain donation is an important contribution to science, and donors don't need to have a specific health condition for their donation to be meaningful.

If you'd like to find out more about brain donation, visit our website or contact our team. usingourbrains.com.au

Frances Flemming gave her brain to science after choosing voluntary assisted dying. Donations such as hers are crucial to understanding multiple sclerosis, which affects tens of thousands of Australians.

26/03/2025

Engaging in regular physical activity is also important for brain health. 🏃

14/03/2025

Did you know your brain is about 75-80% water? The rest is mostly fat, making it one of the fattiest organs in your body. Take care of your brain—it’s your most amazing resource!

Find this resource and more at dana.org/resources.

13/03/2025

12/03/2025

For some people, a history of adolescent alcohol use can increase their chances of developing alcohol use disorder and other disorders, such as anxiety and depression. Learn more about the adolescent brain at: https://go.nih.gov/WyJxy7y.

12/03/2025

In Science, researchers detail a nanoscale-resolution reconstruction of a millimeter-scale fragment of human cerebral cortex, giving an unprecedented view into the structural organization of brain tissue at the supracellular, cellular, and subcellular levels.

Learn more during : https://scim.ag/41I5INH

10/03/2025

🧠 It's Brain Awareness Week! 🎉 Join the Brain Foundation as they explore the wonders of the brain, share expert insights, and promote brain health.

📚 The Brain Foundation will provide free resources and webinars throughout the week, covering the latest in neuroscience and brain health.

🔍 We'll also be highlighting our favourite resources that they have on offer, so stay tuned!

07/03/2025

Mapping Brain Cells Vulnerable to Alzheimer’s Protein Buildup

Scientists have mapped brain cells most vulnerable to tau protein buildup, a major driver of Alzheimer’s disease.

Using the MISS brain-mapping technique, they analyzed 1.3 million brain cells in mice to determine which are most affected.

They found that glutamatergic neurons in the hippocampus, a region crucial for memory, are particularly susceptible to tau accumulation.

25/02/2025

Neurons play a crucial role in everything from reflex actions to complex thought processes. 🧠🔬

18/02/2025

Could a weight-loss drug be used to curb alcohol cravings? 🚫🍷

A recent study has indicated that semaglutide (also known under the brand name Ozempic), a drug commonly used for diabetes and obesity, may also help reduce alcohol consumption.

The results of the study showed that participants receiving weekly semaglutide injections reported decreased alcohol cravings, reduced drinking quantity, and fewer heavy drinking days compared to those given a placebo. Interestingly, some participants also showed reduced cigarette consumption, suggesting a broader potential for addiction treatment.

While promising, this study was conducted in a small group of just 48 participants, making it difficult to generalise the findings to a broader population. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine optimal dosing. However, these initial results provide renewed hope for the future of addiction medicine and treatment.

Source: JAMA Psychiatry