Neuropsychology explores how changes to the brain can influence our behaviours, which is where Michelle’s research is focussed. She is researching how the brain changes that occur with dementia or traumatic brain injury (TBI) affect a person’s behaviour. There are a number of personality changes that can occur with any kind of brain change, and this makes it very difficult not only for the person themselves, but for their families to manage. Michelle's current research focus is on exploring changes in social skills in people with dementia and impact this has on family members.

“With dementia, people can lose the ability to be empathic, so you can imagine the impact on a friendship or a relationship. It can seem that they no longer care about how the other person is feeling. It’s a big, sudden change and it can be devastating for the person and the family and social relationships can fall away leaving the person at risk of social isolation.”

The loss of social skills in people with dementia is an under explored area.

“There is increasing evidence about TBI and social skills, and also in schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorder, but with dementia, there’s very little research, and thus, very little evidence for how we should assess and treat these problems.”

For up-to-date information regarding research grants and publications, please visit Michelle's research profile on the University of Newcastle website, and visit the current projects section of this website.