Professor Amy Brodtmann leads the Cognitive Health Initiative in the Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University. 

Prior to this, she was a Professor in the Department of Florey at the University of Melbourne and an Honorary Adjunct Clinical Professor at Monash University.

She was also Professor and Co-Head of Behavioural Neuroscience at the Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health at the Melbourne Brain Centre, as well as a Consultant Neurologist at Austin Health.

Research highlights

• Continuous NHMRC and philanthropic research funding since PhD Scholarship 2001
• $AUD18 million funding in CIA NHMRC grants alone
• Involved in NHMRC research projects >$AUD35 million including 2 Dementia Research Team Grants (CIA and AI), project grants, fellowships, Boosting Dementia Research grants and MRFF targeted grants as CI and AI, 2021 Synergy grant (CIC) and 2 2021 CREs (CIB and CIC on each)
• More than 160 peer-reviewed and government-commissioned papers published in high-ranking journals (e.g., The Lancet Neurology, Neurology, Brain, NeuroImage, Biological Psychiatry, Stroke)
• Contributed to clinical trials published in NEJM and The Lancet
• 8-12 invited lectures, symposia, plenaries, and keynotes annually for national and international meetings
• Leads a research team of 10 research assistants and post-docs

Clinical highlights

• Cognitive Neurology lead at 2 health networks: Eastern Health and Melbourne Health
• Leads multidisciplinary team at Eastern Cognitive Disorders Clinic (15 staff) and Melbourne Health Cognitive Neurology Service (8 staff)
• Team leader of 2 Clinical Dementia Trials Units: Eastern Clinical Research Unit and Melbourne Neuroscience Centre with turnovers of $AUD1-3 million per year
• Weekly clinical teaching in specialist clinics for medical students, Basic Physician Trainees and Neurology Advanced Trainees
• Invited to give Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine seminars and webinars – 2022 awardee of peak mid-career neuroscience research Mervyn Eadie Lecture ANZAN
• Cognitive lead for the Scientific Program Committee of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists 2009-2021
• International member for the American Academy of Neurology Scientific Advisory Committee
• Brain School co-ordinator 2008-2010; co-ordinator of cognitive teaching for Neurology Advanced Trainees in Australian and New Zealand; co-ordinator of cognitive teaching for Victorian Neurology Trainee Series

Exploring the impacts of a novel movement-based mindfulness program on brain function, connectivity and integrity in survivors of stroke

Stroke is the leading cause of disability from physical, social and mental health impacts and affects over 420,000 Australians, with 50,000 new events each year. Stroke causes widespread changes including alterations to the structural, and functional connectivity of the brain. Evidence suggests that movement-based mindfulness interventions may be beneficial in improving these changes, thereby aiding recovery post-stroke.