In a world where Australia’s aging population is on the rise, the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) at UNSW Sydney is embracing a monumental change. The appointment of the legendary Ita Buttrose AC OBE as the Chair of their Advisory Committee marks a pivotal moment in the institution’s unwavering dedication to understanding and combatting age-related brain disorders.
Eleven years ago, Professors Henry Brodaty AO and Perminder Sachdev AM embarked on a groundbreaking journey, founding the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing, fusing their expertise to advance dementia research. Today, Ita Buttrose, with her extensive experience and unwavering commitment, stands ready to amplify and support the collective vision of CHeBA’s Co-Directors and their team of experts.
In the wake of this momentous announcement, Chancellor David Gonski AC hails Buttrose’s appointment as a timely and significant decision. He raises crucial questions, “Are we at a tipping point in our population where, for the first time, there are more older Australians than children under 15? How can this work be further propelled by a strong and active advisory committee, greatly enhanced by Ita’s appointment?“
Buttrose herself exudes excitement as she emphasizes CHeBA’s reputation as a leading center in brain aging research. “As we look back over the last decade, substantial developments in neuroscience offer hope that we may be on the cusp of preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,” she declares. Poised to lead a distinguished committee, she pledges to provide them with strategic guidance and direction.
Let’s meet the remarkable members of the newly announced Advisory Committee, each contributing their unique expertise to this crucial mission. The committee includes luminaries such as Barbara Cail AO, Joseph D’Agostino, Professor Kimberlie Dean, John Gray, David Greatorex AO, Peter Joseph AM, Dr. Dagmar Schmidmaier AM, Professor Peter Schofield AO, and Anita Jacoby AM.
CHeBA’s Co-Director, Professor Brodaty, expresses profound gratitude, sharing his vision. “As we continue to delve into strategies aimed at understanding the mechanisms behind cognitive decline in aging brains, we aim for people to reach their full lifespan with unimpeded cognitive abilities. But, we must ask ourselves, what can we do to ensure a good quality of life unaffected by cognitive loss?“
His counterpart, Professor Sachdev, underscores the strength of CHeBA’s multi-disciplinary approach, tackling aging-related brain diseases through the latest advancements in epidemiology, clinical research, neuroimaging, genetics and genomics, proteomics, and other innovative methods. Are these the keys to unlocking the mysteries of brain aging and diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia?
Established in October 2012, the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA) remains a shining beacon at UNSW Sydney. Led by Professors Henry Brodaty AO and Perminder Sachdev AM, the center stands unwavering in its commitment to better understanding age-related brain diseases, especially Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. As the chapter turns with Ita Buttrose at the helm, the story of CHeBA’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and solutions continues to unfold.
