Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science

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Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science

Over forty years of medical research - a journey of discovery, success and outcomes www.perroninstitute.org

Perron Institute is a world leader in neurological science and study, a global collaborator, a community campaigner, a research advocate, a futuristic visionary, a progressive, patient-focused organisation and home to Western Australia’s most successful break-through research team. The Perron Institute is an international leader in taking findings from the laboratory and developing advances in neurological care for the benefit of the community. At the cutting edge of neurological research in Perth, Western Australia, the Perron Institute collaborates with scientists and clinicians nationally and internationally. What makes the Institute unique is its connection with the treatment clinics. Our leading neurologists see people with various conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease plus movement disorders including Parkinson’s, essential tremor and dystonia, inflammatory muscle diseases including inclusion body myositis and polymyositis as well as a variety of unusual and rare muscle and nerve diseases. The Perron Institute’s clinics are open from Monday to Friday and provide diagnosis, management and treatments for patients with complex and usually long term, neurological and neuromuscular conditions. Founded in 1982, the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science is the longest established research institute in Western Australia.

29/01/2026

We are very excited to announce a Perron Institute-led project has received a substantial funding pledge from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation. The funding opens the way for researchers and co-contributors to design and pilot a model to improve treatment for depression and anxiety for introducing pharmacogenetics-guided prescribing of anti-depressants.

“Mental health conditions such as depression are the leading cause of disease burden among young people in WA but more than half do not respond well to initial treatment,” said Consultant Psychiatrist Professor Sean Hood The University of Western Australia, Chief Investigator for this project.

Chief Investigator Prof Jennifer Rodger (Perron Institute|UWA) said the study was a response to findings from studies including the GENE-YD project which included concerns raised by WA youth and clinicians who have called for mental health care that is more effective, person-centred, and responsive to patient needs. The PGx-ADAPT project targeting 16–24 year olds, aims to address system-level barriers to implementing pharmacogenetics by generating feasibility data across both metropolitan and rural WA settings.

This collaborative project involves a wide range of medical, education, policy and economics researchers, clinicians and community representatives.

Partner organisations include: Perron Institute, UWA, Gene S, Sequence2Script Inc. PARTNER Network, Lyfe Languages, Australian Alliance for Indigenous Genomics (ALIGN), Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), Bankwest Curtin Economics Centre (BCEC), and WA Health Department.

27/01/2026

Congratulations to Professor Minghao Zheng, Head of Bone and Brain Research at Perron Institute and The University of Western Australia, who was honoured with a Member of the Order of Australia in this year’s Australia Day Honours for significant service to orthopaedic research and regenerative medicine.

Professor Zheng, an academic pathologist from UWA’s School of Biomedical Sciences, is a global leader in regenerative medicine and musculoskeletal and neuro tissue engineering.

He has pioneered the development of naturally derived biomaterials and biological therapies to treat trauma affecting nerves, cartilage, tendons, and bones. His groundbreaking research in the development of collagen device and biomineralisation composite platform technologies has significantly advanced the understanding of musculoskeletal diseases and improved treatment outcomes for patients with orthopaedic conditions and neurotrauma.

23/01/2026

😊💛 Do it for the smiles.
Join us at the 2026 Perron Institute Bridges Fun Run on Sunday 19 April and run for something that truly matters.
Supporting Youth Mental Health, every step helps create brighter futures.

🏃‍♀️ Run. Walk. Smile.
👉 Register now: https://www.wamc.org.au/event/bridges-fun-run

Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science

20/01/2026

We are pleased to announce that Research Fellows Dr Sarah Hellewell (representing Curtin University) and Dr Belinda Kaskow (representing Perron Institute) have been appointed to the Early-and Mid-Career Researchers Reference Group by the Chief Scientist, Professor Sharath Sriram.

The membership is a representation of EMCR bodies at universities and medical research institutes and has been established to empower the voices of EMCRs to government and provide perspective on select Government inititiatives that support science and technology.

- Dr Hellewell is a senior research fellow in the Neurotrauma Research Group at Curtin University|Perron Institute.
- Dr Kaskow is a research fellow in the Demyelinating Disease Research Group at The University of Western Australia|Perron Institute.
- Dr Kylie Sandy-Hodgetts (not pictured) was also nominated as the Murdoch University representative. Dr Sandy-Hodgetts is a Senior Research Scientist and clinical trialist with a research focus on surgical wound care and skin integrity, based at the Personalised Medicine Centre (Murdoch Uni|Perron Institute).

12/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
Perron Institute CEO Steve Arnott, and Director Prof Steve Wilton AO who is Co-head of the Molecular Therapy Laboratory in the Personalised Medicine Centre at Murdoch University were honoured to attend the announcement of a major donation to change the landscape of rare and undiagnosed disease in Western Australia this week.

Rare and undiagnosed diseases (RUD) affect more than 300 million people globally, including over two million Australians and 63,000 children in WA.

The Stan Perron Charitable Foundation has committed a landmark $221.1 million over the next decade along with Perth Children's Hospital Foundation ($25 million) and The University of Western Australia ($3 million) to fund the Rare Care Comprehensive Centre (RCCC).
• One of Western Australia’s biggest philanthropic gifts will change the lives of children and families living with rare or undiagnosed diseases.
• Drawing on the expertise of local, national and networks across the globe, WA is leading the way in rare and undiagnosed diseases care.

09/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
In great news for patients, we are very excited to announce Professor Sulev Koks has been awarded $703,400 for a high performance computing-enabled Nanopore sequencing platform, to advance local genomic medicine capacity. Integrated with DUG Technology high performance computing, the platform promises to deliver a uniquely powerful human genome analysis workflow to boost precision health care delivery to Western Australia, funded through the Western Australian Government Future Health Research and Innovation (FHRI) Fund’s Enabling Scheme.

Professor Koks has a joint position as Head of Genetic Epidemiology Research with Perron Institute and the Personalised Medicine Centre at Murdoch University, where the nanopore platform will be based.

08/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
Professor David Blacker AM, one of Australia’s leading neurologists has released a book "My FIGHT with PD". This powerful and deeply personal memoir can be pre-ordered now from the Parkinson's Western Australia website https://lnkd.in/gyYwpgP3. It is also available on Kindle through Amazon and the Kindle Store.

"I could feel Parkinson’s disease creeping up on me."

With those words, Professor Blacker began his journey from respected physician to Parkinson’s patient — gaining a rare dual perspective that reshaped his life and career.
My FIGHT with PD chronicles his path through diagnosis, transformation, and advocacy.

From his work with FIGHT PD (a boxing program co-founded with Golden Gloves champion Rai Fazio) to yoga and wellness initiatives alongside his wife Kirsten, this memoir is filled with insight, humanity, and hope.

Limited signed copies will be available at A Walk in the Park 2025 – Parkinson's WA's annual community fundraising event.

More than a memoir, this is a guide to living with purpose, courage, and connection in the face of Parkinson’s.

07/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
In exciting news, Professor Jenny Rodger (Perron Institute and The University of Western Australia), is the Chief Investigator on multidisciplinary research addressing challenges reported by youth around mental health treatment pathways which has attracted significant financial support from the Stan Perron Charitable Foundation.

“Issues raised by young people receiving mental health therapies include frustration in relation to dysfunctional treatment pathways, poor responses to antidepressant medication, and significant side effects.

“Our team, comprising scientists, clinicians, an artist and a young person with lived experience of mental illness, aims to validate a new treatment option and a clear pathway for a personalised approach to treatment selection.
https://ow.ly/IpEG50WFIVI

06/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
Professor Merrilee Needham has been appointed to the leadership role of Perron Institute Medical Director.

Professor Needham is a Consultant Neurologist and Head of Myositis Research at the Perron Institute and Personalised Medicine Centre at Murdoch University. She is also Foundation Chair of Neurology and Consultant Neurologist at Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch University and The University of Notre Dame Australia.

Professor Needham said “A big picture goal is to create stronger integration between clinical services and scientific research. This begins with the clinical care of patients, allowing them to be part of scientific discoveries, and then bringing these discoveries back to patients through clinical trials. The aim is to ensure research is patient-centred and relevant, ultimately improving outcomes for our community.”

https://ow.ly/zOLS50WnqCz

Pic L-R: Prof Needham with retiring Medical Director, Prof David Blacker AM

05/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
A significant breakthrough in understanding how cells in our body respond to physical activity and exercise has been made by scientists at the Perron Institute and The University of Western Australia. They’ve discovered a direct mechanical signal that travels from outside the cell into the energy-producing parts of the cell, which could change the way we think about exercise and its benefits. Read more: https://ow.ly/qFPH50WguWK

02/01/2026

YEAR IN REVIEW: REPOST
Bec Daniher, Executive Director of Fight MND and Professor Anthony Akkari, Head of Motor Neurone Disease Genetics and Therapeutics Research Group and Director of the Personalised Medicine Centre (Perron Institute|Murdoch University), supported the WA with their teams at on Sunday.

We are grateful for the efforts of everyone raising awareness and funds for the fight against the Beast, and especially those braving the ice tank!

01/01/2026

Wishing everyone a very Happy and safe New Year and all the best for 2026.

Address

8 Verdun Street
Nedlands, WA
6009

Website

https://perroninstitute.org/

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Leading a new era of discovery

The Perron Institute is an international leader in taking findings from the laboratory and developing advances in neurological care for the benefit of the community. Our researchers and clinicians develop treatments for people living with a range of debilitating conditions, including muscular dystrophy, stroke, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, motor neurone disease and epilepsy. At the cutting edge of neurological research in Perth, Western Australia, the Perron Institute collaborates with scientists and clinicians nationally and internationally.

What makes the Institute unique is its connection with the treatment clinics. Our leading neurologists see people with various conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis and motor neurone disease plus movement disorders including Parkinson’s, essential tremor and dystonia, inflammatory muscle diseases including inclusion body myositis and polymyositis as well as a variety of unusual and rare muscle and nerve diseases. Our clinic service has expanded to include a post-stroke/cerebral palsy spasticity clinic and the first epilepsy & pregnancy clinic in Western Australia has been established.

The Perron Institute’s clinics are open from Monday to Friday and provide diagnosis, management and treatments for patients with complex and usually long term, neurological and neuromuscular conditions. Our leading consultant neurologists treat people living with Parkinson’s, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis, myositis and post-stroke.

Founded in 1982, the Perron Institute for Neurological and Translational Science is the longest established research institute in Western Australia.