Cas van der Veer was a Canterbury businessman who didn't let Parkinson's disease get in the way of leading a full life. He wanted others to benefit from his success by providing a place where the best possible care and treatment for Parkinson's would be available, informed by the latest research.
With a generous bequest, he entrusted his vision to the Canterbury Medical Research Foundation. Working together with local researchers, in 2004 the Van der Veer Institute for Parkinson's & Brain Research was founded. In November 2011, due to its growth and diversification, the organisation became the New Zealand Brain Research Institute.
At the Institute, patients have access to the best specialist diagnosis and management and the latest international treatments. In the same building, experienced researchers and talented young students use sophisticated technologies to push back the boundaries of knowledge in brain disorders.
- Professor Ivan Donaldson, distinguished neurologist and long-term proponent of brain research in New Zealand, has been honoured in the New Year Honours list. Ivan continues to serve on the Board of the NZBRI and was key in setting up the supporting Friends of the Brain Institute. See this article in the Christchurch Press for more details.
- Dr Debbie Mason’s role in an Australasian study of Vitamin D in multiple sclerosis is covered in this Press article.
New Zealand Brain Research Institute
66 Stewart St
Christchurch 8011
New Zealand
Ph : (+64 3) 3786 347
Fax: (+64 3) 3786 299
General Enquiries: enquiries@nzbri.org
Website Enquiries: webmaster@nzbri.org