Emeritus Distinguished Professor Cliff Abraham (photo taken from the Neurological Foundation Linked in page)

Last Thursday our speaker was Professor Cliff Abraham. Cliff is a neuroscientist at Otago University whose research focus is for a better understanding of the mechanisms of memory storage in the brain, and what goes wrong in memory disorders such as Alzheimers Disease, so that we can develop tool to treat cognitive decline. 

Cliff gave us a brief introduction to himself and his life's work researching the fascinating study of the way we make and store memories. We were then fortunate to learn about our brains from Cliff! In a brief neuroscience ‘101’ Cliff explained the structure of neurons and what happens at the synaptic junctions, leading to a better understanding of how the brain can learn, transmit and store information. Cliff used an analogy of two mobile phones to explain the concept of brain plasticity. He told us (and showed us in a video) that nerve cell connections have capacity based on experience to strengthen and grow, known as long term potentiation 'LTP', and also the ability to diminish and shrink, known as LTD. The molecular mechanisms for brain function are extremely complicated but Cliff's research team, in an effort to understand the mechanisms of memory storage, has been focusing on a particular neuroactive protein derivative called 'sAPPa'that plays an important role in the synaptic strengthening that underlies memory function. Recent research studies have shown that delivery of this protein back to impaired cells in the brain improved synaptic function and memory in animal models. Cliff then told us about a special technique that is being investigated to deliver this helpful protein across the blood brain barrier, without the need for any intrusive ‘brain surgery’.  He likened the method to a ‘trojan horse’ but unlike the trojan horse, not the enemy is inside, rather it contains (wrapped in a virus coating) specific genes that express the production of the helpful sAPPa protein. This novel technique may pave the way for the treatment of Alzheimers disease. 

Cliff is an award-winning scientist who delivered a wonderfully clear presentation about his research.  It is exciting to know that progress is being made to find a way to help stave off cognitive decline (along with our new understandings about caring for our brains with better health care, education, diet, exercise and social connections). 

Cliff mentioned that he was very happy that some recent Health Research Council grant funding will allow the next phase of the collaborative study to continue, but it will still be several years away before we can take any injection to ward off memory loss! 

You can read more about Cliff's work and his highly esteemed recognition with the 2025 Rutherford Medal, at the Royal Society website (click here) and at the website for the Neurological Foundation (click here). You can also support the research by donating to the Neurological Foundation (click here).