Ormond Neuroscience

06/01/2026

Many families notice small changes long before a diagnosis is made.

A parent becomes slower to follow conversations.
They repeat themselves more.
They seem less confident, less flexible, less themselves.

When these changes fall into the category of mild cognitive impairment, there is often still meaningful room to act — not by “fixing” the brain, but by supporting the conditions that help it function and adapt.

At Ormond Neuroscience, we work with individuals and families during this early, uncertain stage, using a structured neurorehabilitation approach (Neuroharmonics) that focuses on regulation, brain–body health, and supporting neuroplasticity.

If you’re worried about someone you love, and unsure whether to wait or to act, it may be worth having that conversation sooner rather than later.

📞 You’re welcome to contact our practice to discuss whether an assessment or early intervention might be appropriate: 081 326-4509.

www.ormond.co.za

03/01/2026

While bipolar depression is often described as a mental condition, the lived experience often feels physical — heavy, slowed, tired, and stuck.

A recent neuroscience study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that mood states in bipolar disorder are not just “in the head”, but involve broader body–brain systems, including the gut–brain axis.

This doesn’t mean bipolar disorder is a gut condition.
It does mean that mood regulation is deeply biological, state-dependent, and system-wide.

These kinds of findings matter because they push us away from overly narrow explanations — and toward more integrated ways of understanding, and supporting, people with bipolar disorder.

01/01/2026

Many people assume their difficulty is a thinking problem.

In practice, we often see something else:
the brain remains locked in a defensive state — vigilant, tense, conserving energy.

In that state, insight doesn’t land easily. Decisions feel heavy. Progress stalls.

One part of our work involves helping the nervous system shift out of defence and back into regulation — so that thinking, emotion, and motivation can move again.

This is where approaches like vagal nerve stimulation fit — not as a standalone solution, but as part of a broader neurorehabilitation framework.

23/12/2025

Going to a Binge and Braai this festive season? Check out Julie Botha's great post.
https://www.ormond.co.za/brain-health/binge-drinking/

15/12/2025

It came as a suprise to discover fibroblasts in the brain. After all, they're connective tissue cells, involved in activities such as collagen production. So what are they doing in the brain? Turns out they're involved in the formation of scar tissue (gliosis) after brain injury. Ah, that kinda makes sense. Now scientists have found that after forming an injury-surrounding scar, fibroblasts assume new roles, recruiting healing cells and damping excess inflammation. The process is amazing. Find out more here:
https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2025/09/430756/these-cells-have-hidden-powers-could-heal-brain-injuries

If you want the hardcore, you'll find it here:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09449-2

Headway Gauteng South African Society For Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine Alzheimer's South Africa Post Stroke Support Group South Africa Stroke Survivors

UCSF scientists discovered that an overlooked cell type in the brain plays a central role in healing traumatic brain injury. Understanding how it does this will lead to treatments for injuries that currently have only minimal interventions.

22/11/2025

Mind numbing that the CDC are espousing this garbage.

Recent updates to the CDC website suggesting a link between vaccines and autism contradict the scientific consensus that autism has complex, multifactorial origins involving genetic, biological, and environmental interactions.

APA Services is committed to advocating for policies and research priorities that uphold rigorous standards for research and communication and actively counter misinformation and stigma.

Read more here: https://at.apa.org/ayg

14/11/2025

Wits University is making a difference in the field of brain health. Professor Stephen Tollman was invited to serve on the Africa Task Force on Brain Health established by the Davos Alzheimer’s Collaborative. Congratulations! https://www.wits.ac.za/news/latest-news/research-news/2025/2025-10/brain-health-and-africas-future.html Prof Tollman and colleagues have published a paper in Nature Medicine, which you can find here: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-025-03863-9

Alzheimer's South Africa Dementia SA

08/11/2025

I had fun doing an interview with Longevity magazine recently about brain health, dementia and other interesting topics. You can see it here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DQrzix2jJZ8/


Alzheimer's South Africa Dementia SA

26/10/2025

Used timeously, vagal nerve stimulation can reduce the damage after stroke, recovering injured neurons in the penumbra of the stroke. It's just raising awareness and getting the patient treated soon enough that is the issue.
Read more here: https://www.ormond.co.za/stroke/vns-after-stroke/

22/10/2025

Inspirational people

Meet Louisa Brown: mom, motivator, amputee and patient liaison at Heinrich Grimsehl Prosthetics and The Arc. Studio Lab Services located at Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital.

She’s proof that life after amputation is not only possible, it can be powerful. And every day, she walks alongside our patients during their recovery to remind them of that truth. 💚 Share a message of hope in the comments to cheer on those going through their own recovery journey.

21/09/2025

You think it won't happen to you. Think again: up to 50% of people over age 85 may have Alzheimer's Disease. Those are not good odds! Risk factors for dementia include depression, taking too much medication, hearing loss, air pollution, traumatic brain injury, and vascular problems. Neuroscience can significantly mitigate your risk. It's easy, safe, and doesn't require medication. Act now and contact Ormond Neuroscience on 081 326-4509 or visit our website: https://www.ormond.co.za/neuroharmonics/

Alzheimer's South Africa Headway Gauteng Dementia SA

18/09/2025

Ormond Neuroscience is located at the Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, one of the best neurological rehabilitation facilities in Southern Africa. If you've had a stroke, traumatic brain injury or any other neurological problem, this is where you want to be treated.

Your journey doesn’t stop when you leave the hospital and neither does our care. 💙 At Netcare Rehabilitation Hospital, we provide the therapies, technology, and compassionate support you need to rebuild strength, regain independence, and rediscover confidence.

Our personalised programmes cover stroke, spinal, orthopaedic, paediatric, and brain injury rehab. We support you every step of the way, from robotic rehabilitation devices like the Lokomat and prosthetics to emotional and family support.

📧 Email our case management team today to find out how we can help you or your loved one:

RehabCaseManagement@netcare.co.za
CC: lebo.sedumedi@netcare.co.za

Or share this post with someone who may be looking for the next step in recovery.