Briz Brain & Spine

17/02/2026

Neurosurgeon Dr Hamish Alexander has been appointed Associate Professor at the University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine, recognising his sustained, high-level contributions to medical education, research and professional leadership. Alongside his clinical work at Briz Brain & Spine and in the public health system, Dr Alexander has dedicated many years to teaching medical students and advancing clinical research. We warmly congratulate Associate Professor Alexander on this outstanding achievement.

10/02/2026

Inside the Brain & Spine – You’re at the airport. It’s loud: conversations overlap, baggage carousels beep, kids behind you argue. Yet somehow, you still catch the announcement for your boarding gate. How? Your brain uses a sophisticated process called sensory gating to filter incoming information. It prioritises important sounds - like speech - while dampening background noise such as distant traffic. Emotions play a powerful role too. Stress and anxiety can disrupt this filtering system, amplifying background noise and making it feel almost impossible to ignore. So, next time the world feels unbearably loud, it might not be the noise that’s changed — but how your brain is processing it!

04/02/2026

Scientists have made promising progress in spinal cord injury research. New research from the University of Louisville in the US, has shown that children with complete spinal cord injuries were able to regain voluntary stepping movements after non-invasive spinal stimulation combined with specialised training. Families also reported additional benefits including improved balance, sensation and bladder control. While this isn’t a cure, it highlights the spinal cord’s remarkable ability to be re-activated — even years after injury. Read more here:

Lucas et al. have explored whether non-invasive surface spinal stimulation with training can help paralyzed children with chronic complete spinal cord inju

27/01/2026

Inside the Brain & Spine – most people will have burnt their hand at some point or another. It may have just been for a split-second but it hurts! That lightning-fast, pull your hand back, happens without thought. That action is called a reflex arc – a rapid, involuntary reaction to a stimulus that is mediated by the spinal cord. The brain receives the signal a little bit later and that is when the pain really kicks in. The key functions of the reflex are to keep you protected from injury and maintain internal homeostatic balance.

20/01/2026

Research from the University of California suggests that in multiple sclerosis (MS), chronic inflammation and damage to nerve insulation affect the Purkinjie cells which are neurons that help control balance and movement. The affected cells don’t produce enough energy to work properly which may help explain why movement problems can slowly worsen over time for some people with MS. Encouragingly, this research points toward future treatments aimed at protecting these brain cells and their energy supply, which could help slow or prevent mobility problems.

Many people with multiple sclerosis struggle with balance and coordination, and this study uncovers a hidden reason why. Researchers found that inflammation in the brain disrupts the energy supply of vital movement-controlling neurons. As their mitochondria fail, these cells weaken and eventually di...

14/01/2026

Inside the Brain & Spine – are you left-handed or right-handed? Perhaps you write with one hand but play sport with the other. Have you ever wondered why? Genetics plays a role but your brain also ‘chooses’ which hand to use for different tasks. The motor cortex and parietal lobe coordinate to select the most efficient limb for the task…and you don’t even know it! Both hemispheres of the brain collaborate to perform complex activities like writing, playing sport and following directions – this is known as lateralisation. Guess that means we’re all a little bit ambidextrous!

06/01/2026

In November last year, Dr Terry Coyne joined international functional neurosurgery experts in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN) Interim Meeting 2025. As a globally renowned deep brain stimulation (DBS) neurosurgeon, Dr Coyne presented on Day 1 of the 3-day program, focusing on planning principles and targeting in DBS brain lesioning. His contribution highlights Australia’s ongoing leadership in functional neurosurgery on the world stage.

Discover the full program of Interim Meeting WSSFN 2025, featuring scientific sessions, keynote speakers, and innovative discussions.

31/12/2025

Happy New Year! We wish you and your loved ones all the best for 2026.

24/12/2025

From all of us at Briz Brain & Spine, we wish you and your loved ones a safe and very Merry Christmas!

14/12/2025

Our last newsletter for 2025 is now available! Read about the year that was, find out more about a local brain cancer treatment clinical trial and we send off our Super Spine Stuff series. And Merry Christmas!

09/12/2025

Our offices will be closed from 12 pm on 24 December and will reopen at 8:30 am on 29 December. Limited appointments will be available from 29 – 31 December and our phone lines will remain open for urgent enquiries. We’ll then close again from 4:30 pm on 31 December and reopen at 8:30 am on 5 January 2026. For general enquiries, please email us — we'll respond as needed. Need info? Visit our website for details on our services. Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas period!

02/12/2025

Super Spine Stuff – “Military neck” might sound like a badge of honour, but it’s actually a sign of trouble. This condition, cervical kyphosis, means the natural curve in the neck has straightened which can lead to headaches, muscle pain, stiffness and poor posture among other issues. Not quite parade-ready after all!