The challenge

Parkinson’s Disease affects more than 150,000 Australians and is the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world. Parkinson’s Disease is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, memory, energy, and independence. It's caused by the loss of neurons in key areas of the brain. While treatments are available, they do not stop the disease from progressing and can often have significant side effects.

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While most common in older age, Parkinson’s can affect people as young as 40, with the disease causing life-changing disability. Researchers at the Bionics Institute are investigating whether abdominal vagus nerve stimulation (abVNS) could offer a new approach to treat the condition. Studies have shown that vagus nerve stimulation could relieve symptoms while also slowing and preventing neuronal loss that causes the disease.

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What is vagus nerve stimulation?

The vagus nerve runs from the brain to the gut and controls many processes in the body, including the body’s natural anti-inflammatory response. It also connects to key areas of the brain involved in memory, learning and other behavioural responses linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s Disease. Vagus nerve stimulation at the neck is an approved treatment for conditions such as epilepsy. However, stimulation at this level can sometimes have serious effects on heart rate and breathing, which limits its use and dosing.

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To overcome this limitation, Bionics Institute researchers have developed a device that stimulates the vagus nerve at the abdominal level, and they have demonstrated that stimulating the vagus nerve in the abdomen may achieve therapeutic effects more safely than stimulation at the neck. Bionics Institute researchers now aim to generate proof-of-concept evidence that abVNS can reduce motor symptoms and neuronal loss in a Parkinson's disease model, supporting future clinical trials.

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The role of philanthropy

Hearts & Minds funding, as nominated by Cooper Investors, will be critical in enabling this research to progress. It will allow researchers to focus fully on the project, build momentum, and plan over multiple years with confidence. The funding has already helped attract additional support from private donors who recognise the potential impact of this research. The team is now actively testing whether this approach can make a meaningful difference.

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They have finalised the abVNS testing plan, manufactured implants, and begun the first animal experiments, while also expanding behavioural assessments and developing automated methods to measure changes in the brain. Early results suggest that abdominal vagus nerve stimulation can activate brain pathways linked to slowing and preventing neurodegeneration. The next step is to understand whether this approach can also reduce motor symptoms in Parkinson’s Disease.

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What this could unlock

If successful, this work could lead to early clinical trials in people living with Parkinson’s Disease. Longer term, it could support the development of a new kind of treatment for people around the world.

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This project is supported by Hearts & Minds, as nominated by Core Fund Manager, Cooper Investors. For further information and updates, visit Bionics Institute. This content was last updated in July 2026.