$1.8m boost for head injury research

Thursday, 29 January 2004

Adelaide has taken another step to further establish itself as a global leader in research into head injury. A $1.8 million cheque is being handed to the University of Adelaide today to secure the future of the Chair of Neurosurgery.

The donation, from the Neurosurgical Research Foundation (NRF), will result in more neurosurgeons in training and greater neurosurgical research, helping to save more lives and improve patient recovery.

Traumatic brain injury is the biggest killer of young Australians between 18 and 33 years.

"The establishment of the Chair on a permanent basis secures the future of academic neurosurgery in Adelaide and will encourage young neurosurgeons to consider a career path with a strong emphasis on teaching and research," says Professor Nigel Jones, the NRF Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Adelaide.

A Chair of Neurosurgery not only encourages research, but also promotes teaching and clinical excellence. Australian neurosurgeons are already active in many fields - especially research into head injury prevention and treatment.

"This is a significant boost for neurosurgery and the University and we are greatly indebted to the NRF for the funding," says Professor Derek Frewin, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Adelaide.

"By providing an academic career path, it is hoped that future neurosurgical trainees will seriously consider academic neurosurgery and continue the work that the Neurosurgical Research Foundation has so strongly supported," he says.

The Chair of Neurosurgery at the University of Adelaide was established in 1992 by the Neurosurgical Research Foundation and was the first Chair of Neurosurgery Research in Australia.

Adelaide is recognised as a centre of excellence for neurotrauma, spinal surgery and brain tumour research.

"The Neurosurgical Research Foundation is especially pleased to achieve this long time goal in our 40th year of funding neurosurgical research," says Professor Donald Simpson, President of the NRF.

The NRF is based in Adelaide and funds neurosurgical research throughout Australia. The objective of the Foundation is directed towards research into the cause, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease or malfunction of the brain, spine and nervous system.

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