Neurology Castle Hill

28/08/2026

Wonderful to see Dr Lysandra Katelaris supporting Migraine Australia at the 2026 Patients’ Choice Awards and contributing to its recognised Migraine Awareness Month campaign.

Congratulations to Migraine Australia on this well-deserved recognition.

25/08/2026

A fantastic achievement for our own Dr Chris Kwan, who has received the Best Acute Stroke Research Award at the Australia and New Zealand Stroke Organisation (ANZSO) 2026 conference in Brisbane.

The award recognised research undertaken as part of Chris’s PhD project with Professor Ken Butcher, exploring the role of universal bridging thrombolysis for large vessel occlusion (LVO) strokes prior to clot retrieval.

This important research contributes to the ongoing advancement of acute stroke care and how patients can be treated during those critical early stages.

Congratulations Chris on this well-deserved recognition! 👏

11/08/2026

Migraines in Melbourne ☕️🧠

Over the weekend, Dr Lysandra Katelaris had the pleasure of attending the 2026 Australia & New Zealand Headache Society Annual Scientific Meeting in Melbourne, joining a fantastic group of clinicians and researchers from across Australia and New Zealand to discuss emerging science and evolving approaches to migraine and headache medicine.

A few themes that stood out:

1️⃣ Consistency over perfection. Migraine management is increasingly moving beyond simply identifying and avoiding triggers. Becoming overly focused on eliminating every potential trigger can contribute to anticipatory anxiety and unnecessary restriction. Regular sleep, meals, exercise and sustainable routines remain important components of migraine prevention and overall neurological wellbeing.

2️⃣ Women’s neurological health deserves greater attention. We explored important issues in women’s health, including the intersection between migraine, hormonal change, perimenopause, cognition and vascular health. The complex relationships between hormonal signalling, neuronal excitability and vascular biology are increasingly being recognised, with much still to understand about how migraine changes across a woman’s lifespan.

3️⃣ Bringing clinical practice and research closer together. It was a privilege to hear clinician-researcher Professor Rebecca Wells from the USA speak about her pathway into clinical research, her experience in clinical genomics, and practical ways clinicians can become more involved in research alongside everyday clinical practice. Translating the questions that arise from looking after patients into meaningful research is an exciting opportunity to advance our understanding of migraine and improve patient care.

Professor Alessandro Zagami also gave an excellent talk reflecting on the history of the Australia & New Zealand Headache Society, its evolution over the years and just how far the field of headache medicine has come.

It was a great weekend spent exchanging ideas with a thoughtful and engaged group of colleagues working across headache medicine.

28/07/2026

Meet Dr Mihi Abeywickrama, Consultant Neurologist at Neurology Castle Hill.

Dr Mihi provides comprehensive, evidence-based neurological care, with a special interest in:
🔹 Neuro-otology
🔹 General neurology
🔹 Neurophysiology
🔹 Stroke
🔹 Headache disorders

From initial assessment through to diagnosis and ongoing management, Dr Mihi is committed to providing compassionate, patient-centred neurological care tailored to each individual's needs.

She takes the time to understand each patient's symptoms, reach an accurate diagnosis and develop personalised treatment plans to help patients achieve the best possible outcomes.

Whether you're seeking assessment for headaches, dizziness, stroke or other neurological concerns, Dr Mihi is here to support you.

Referrals and enquiries are welcome. Learn more via our website or call us on 02 9477 6893.

22/07/2026

This , we’re proud to support the Brain Foundation in raising awareness of the everyday habits that can help protect long-term brain health.

In this article, consultant neurologist Dr Lysandra Katelaris outlines five evidence-based strategies that can support brain health across the lifespan, from regular physical activity and quality sleep to stress management, lifelong learning and meaningful social connection.

Read the full article via the Brain Foundation: https://brainfoundation.org.au/brain-health-five-things-neurologist/

Despite what you may read on the internet, there is no single supplement or “brain hack” that protects the brain.🧠

Rather, it's the small habits we build over a lifetime - staying active, eating well, managing our health, and staying socially connected that make a real difference.

This , we are reminded that brain health begins long before a diagnosis.

As the World Health Organisation has recently confirmed, nearly 50% of global dementia cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable health and lifestyle factors.

The takeaway is that it's never too early or too late to start supporting your future brain health - so why not start today?

Learn practical tips in our latest article by neurologist Dr Lysandra Katelaris from Neurology Castle Hill .

Read now via the link in the comments!

06/07/2026

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord become damaged, disrupting the messages sent between the brain and the rest of the body. These nerves are responsible for transmitting sensory information, controlling muscle movement and regulating certain automatic body functions.

Symptoms often include numbness, tingling, burning pain, weakness or balance problems, usually starting in the feet before affecting the hands.

There are many possible causes of peripheral neuropathy. Some of the most common include diabetes, excessive alcohol consumption and vitamin B6 toxicity. Identifying the underlying cause is an important first step in managing the condition and helping to prevent further nerve damage.

Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause, relieving symptoms and maintaining strength, balance and function. Regular neurological follow-up can help monitor progression and ensure treatment remains appropriate.

Because peripheral neuropathy can progress over time, ongoing clinical monitoring is essential.

If you're experiencing persistent numbness, tingling, burning pain or weakness, it's important to seek assessment rather than assume it's a normal part of ageing.

29/06/2026

Endometriosis and Migraine: A Common but Often Overlooked Connection

Migraine Awareness Month is an important reminder of how often migraine is under-recognised, particularly in patients with overlapping conditions such as endometriosis.

Endometriosis is widely recognised as a gynaecological condition associated with pelvic pain and inflammation.

What is less commonly discussed is its strong association with neurological symptoms, particularly migraine.

Research shows that people living with endometriosis are significantly more likely to experience migraine compared to the general population. Hormonal fluctuation, inflammatory pathways, and central pain sensitisation are all thought to contribute.

For many patients, symptoms extend beyond pelvic pain. Headache disorders, including migraine, may occur more frequently and with greater severity.

At Neurology Castle Hill, we frequently see migraine as part of a broader pain picture in patients with endometriosis.

Understanding these overlaps is important for improving diagnosis, management, and overall quality of life.

When conditions intersect, care should not be siloed.

A coordinated approach between neurology and women’s health can lead to better outcomes for patients.

20/06/2026

Today is Day.

The Neurology Castle Hill team is proud to support Migraine Australia's global awareness campaign and help raise awareness of migraine, a neurological condition that affects almost 5 million Australians.

Migraine is much more than a headache. It can have a significant impact on work, family life and everyday activities, yet it remains widely misunderstood.

By wearing our sunglasses today, we're helping start conversations, challenge misconceptions, and show support for the many Australians living with migraine.

03/06/2026

Migraine Awareness Month
Migraine Disables. Support Enables.

Migraine is a neurological condition that is often misunderstood.

It is not “just a headache”. It is a complex brain disorder that can significantly impact daily function, work, study, and relationships.

For many people, migraine is recurring, unpredictable, and disabling. Symptoms may include severe head pain, visual disturbance, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound, as well as cognitive slowing.

Because symptoms are often invisible, migraine is frequently minimised or misinterpreted.

At Neurology Castle Hill, we recognise the real impact migraine has on quality of life. We also recognise the importance of careful assessment, individualised management, and ongoing support.

“Migraine is a neurological condition that deserves the same seriousness, attention and understanding as any other brain disorder. When we acknowledge its impact, we take the first step toward better care.”
- Dr Lysandra Katelaris

Stigma can silence people living with migraine. Understanding helps change that.

Better awareness leads to earlier recognition, more appropriate treatment, and improved support.

This June, we acknowledge Migraine Awareness Month and the 4.9 million Australians living with this condition.

25/05/2026

On Saturday, 23 May 2026, Lysandra Katelaris and Esther Tantsis attended the Grace Gala 2026, held in the Grand Ballroom at the Hyatt Regency Sydney.

The evening was a wonderful opportunity to support two incredibly important causes, with the 18th Grace Gala raising over $2 million for The Grace Centre for Newborn Intensive Care at The Children's Hospital at Westmead and Cerebral Palsy Alliance. Funds raised through the event contribute to life-saving care, groundbreaking research, and improved outcomes for newborns, children, and families facing complex medical and neurological conditions.

Attending events like this reflects a shared passion for supporting infants, children and families navigating complex health conditions, and a commitment to advancing research and care that helps make a meaningful difference to their lives and wellbeing.

The band, Furnace And The Fundamentals were brilliant and brought an incredible energy to the evening.

Jewel Horwood Angela Bishop Sydney Children's Hospitals Foundation