Australasian Neurological Conference and Expo
The Australasian Neurological Conference and Expo, held on 1–2 May 2025, brought together 275 attendees - including MSWA staff - and over 40 expert speakers from healthcare, research, disability, aged care, and other sectors. The event focused on fostering cross-sector collaboration to enhance neurological care and wellbeing in WA and beyond.
MSWA CEO Melanie Kiely, led a panel inviting MS Australia CEO Rohan Greenland, neurological health researcher Professor Jennifer Rodgers, MSWA Speech Pathologist Charlotte Huynh, neurologist Dr Dev Nathani, and Clients Gavin Harper and Ellen-May Eaton to discuss the importance of translational research. This insightful conversation emphasised the need for ongoing research across all areas of neurology and how to translate progress and findings to the community to improve patient outcomes.
The panel agreed that research must lead to real-world outcomes, enhancing diagnosis, treatment, and access for those living with neurological conditions. Professor Rodger highlighted the role of curiosity-driven research in laying the foundation for future innovations. Mr Greenland demonstrated how emerging technologies, such as AI can accelerate the analysis of MRI scans, and help identify biological markers and changes at different stages of MS.
Drawing from lived experience, Mr Harper and Ms Eaton called for more specialised training for GPs and better access to neurologists. Clinician Ms Huynh emphasised the need for staying current with research and enhancing Telehealth services to ensure high-quality care reaches regional and remote areas.
The panel concluded that for research to truly benefit patients, evidence-based practices and innovations must be effectively and swiftly translated into the hands of healthcare providers and communities.
The MSWA Team was also at the two-day Neuro Expo that was held in conjunction to the conference. They greeted and met with members of the community to share MSWA's wraparound services spanning across 16 service areas to support West Australians with neurological conditions to live life, not limits.
