The challenge

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease and Motor Neurone Disease have a significant and growing impact in Australia. Dementia is now the leading cause of death in Australia and affects more than 400,000 people. With an ageing population, this number is expected to increase to more than 1 million by 2065, placing increasing pressure on the healthcare system, aged care services and families.¹

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While these conditions are influenced by a complex interplay of genetic, lifestyle and environmental factors, many questions remain about how environmental exposures affect brain health and contribute to disease.

Research has linked factors such as repetitive head injury, air pollution and other environmental toxins to changes in brain health. However, much remains unknown about the role these exposures may play in neurodegenerative disease.

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The Sydney Brain Bank (SBB) at Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) addresses the critical need for post-mortem brain and spinal cord tissue to advance scientific understanding of healthy ageing and neurodegenerative conditions, as well as the impact of environmental toxins on brain health and disease.

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Highlights

In 2025, NeuRA researchers published a world-first study identifying per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often referred to as "forever chemicals", in brain tissue collected through the SBB. The findings demonstrated that these environmental chemicals can cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in human brain tissue. The work attracted significant national attention and provided essential groundwork for future research into whether PFAS and other environmental toxins preferentially accumulate in diseases such as Motor Neurone Disease and Parkinson's Disease, both of which are thought to be impacted by environmental toxins.

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The role of philanthropy

Hearts & Minds funding, as nominated by Caledonia, has been critical in sustaining the infrastructure of the SBB. This funding has helped the facility fulfil its mission of collecting, characterising, storing, and distributing high-quality human brain and spinal cord tissue for research, ensuring scientists have access to the resources needed to advance discoveries.

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What this could unlock

The SBB is creating new opportunities to better understand the causes of neurodegenerative disease and the factors that influence brain health. Through this work, researchers hope to support earlier diagnosis, improved treatments and better outcomes for people affected by these devastating conditions.

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1. Dementia Australia, Dementia facts and figures.

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