MEDIA RELEASE
Auckland, 21 September 2018
Brain Research New Zealand Features in International Programme About Dementia
Every three seconds someone in the world develops dementia. To raise awareness about the condition, Brain Research New
Zealand (BRNZ) has highlighted their efforts to research and combat dementia in ‘Every Three Seconds’, an international
documentary produced by Alzheimer’s Disease International and ITN Productions.
According to Alzheimer’s New Zealand, 4 out of 5 Kiwis are affected by dementia in some way. Today, over 60,000 New
Zealanders are living with the condition, a number that is expected to almost triple by 2050. To raise awareness of the
national and global impact of dementia, BRNZ has joined forces with leading academics, research and care organisations
from across the globe in ‘Every Three Seconds’.
‘Every Three Seconds’ is a news and current affairs style programme that explores the risks, growth and future response
to dementia. It tells the stories of those who are impacted by dementia and those who work vigorously to diagnose and
prevent it, or to find treatments and ways to care for people with dementia. The programme features key industry
interviews and news-style reports along with sponsored editorial profiles.
BRNZ Co-Director Prof Peter Thorne says, “We are excited to be part of this snapshot of the global effort to find ways
to treat and prevent dementia and to care for those with the condition. It shows the international standing of the
outstanding research contribution made by New Zealand neuroscientists and clinicians. Dementia is a major health issue
that needs a concerted research effort.”
BRNZ’s segment showcases different approaches they undertake to tackle dementia. Five interviewees – researchers and
clinicians from BRNZ based at the University of Auckland and the University of Otago – share insights into their
experimental and clinical research.
The film segment highlights the need for multicultural research and approaches to dementia and Alzheimer’s to understand
how these conditions affect people from different cultural backgrounds, and to ultimately develop culturally appropriate
interventions. One of the ways BRNZ is trying to achieve this is through building a unique partnership with the Māori
community.
Notably, BRNZ has established a national network of Dementia Prevention Research Clinics, which recruit people with
early cognitive impairment to study the progression of the disease and, in the future, the impact of interventions, with
the aim to delay or slow the progression of cognitive decline.
Patient data from the Clinics form part of BRNZ’s multidisciplinary research approach. Further, scientists are using
human tissue from the Neurological Foundation Douglas Human Brain Bank and preclinical studies to develop early
biomarkers of Alzheimer’s disease.
Through this unique partnership between the community (including Alzheimer's New Zealand which also features in the
film), clinicians and scientists, BRNZ is working hard to make a difference and to stem the increasing rate of dementia,
including Alzheimer’s disease, in New Zealand.
Watch Brain Research New Zealand’s feature here: www.brainresearch.co.nz/news-events/brnz-presents-film-segment-for-every-three-seconds
Watch the full programme here: www.alz.co.uk/everythreeseconds
For more information visit www.brainresearch.co.nz
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About Brain Research New Zealand - Rangahau Roro Aotearoa
Brain Research New Zealand - Rangahau Roro Aotearoa (BRNZ) is a national Centre for Research Excellence undertaking
ground-breaking research on the ageing brain and ageing-related neurological disorders.
Neurological disorders pose one of the greatest global challenges of our time. By bringing together New Zealand’s best
neuroscientists and clinicians, and working in partnership with the community, BRNZ aims to undertake the translational
biomedical research necessary to tackle this challenge head on - to improve people’s live through brain research and,
ultimately, the wellbeing of our ageing population.
About Alzheimer’s Disease International
Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) believes that the key to winning the fight against dementia lies in a unique
combination of Global Solutions and local knowledge. As such, it works locally, by empowering Alzheimer associations to
promote and offer care and support for people with dementia and their carers, while working globally to focus attention
on dementia. Our board is composed of people from around the world, and our staff team is based in London. ADI is the
international federation of Alzheimer associations around the world, in official relations with the World Health
Organization. Each member is the Alzheimer association in their country who support people with dementia and their
families. ADI’s vision is prevention, care and inclusion today, and cure tomorrow
About ITN Productions
ITN Productions is ITN’s bespoke production hub producing creative and commercially valuable content for the corporate,
commercial, broadcast and digital sectors. Industry News forms part of this offering and is a communications tool for
leading industry bodies and national associations produced in a broadcast news programme format, including interviews,
news-style items and sponsored editorial profiles.
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