The Neuro Blueprint: Integrative Approaches to Cognitive Health

Face-to-Face Event, Sydney 

Saturday 17th October 2026

Cognitive health is one of the most important and rapidly evolving areas of integrative medicine. From brain fog, fatigue, mood changes and poor concentration through to cognitive decline, neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disease, practitioners are increasingly being called on to understand the complex, interconnected drivers of brain function and neurological resilience.

This full-day, face-to-face ACNEM event brings together leading voices in integrative medicine, neuroscience, paediatrics, environmental medicine, trauma-informed care and systems-based practice to explore the key mechanisms influencing cognitive health across the lifespan. 

Through expert presentations, case-based learning, clinical insights and panel discussion, this event will examine the biological, metabolic, immune, environmental and psychosocial factors contributing to cognitive dysfunction, while highlighting practical strategies practitioners can apply in clinical practice. 
Event features
  • Speakers: 10
  • Case Studies: 4
  • Recording: 12 months
  • Presentations: 10
  • Live Q&As: 1
Location
Aerial UTS Function Centre,
Building 10, Level 7/235 Jones St,
Ultimo, NSW
MC
Dr. Nick Morgan
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Speakers
Dr. Christabelle Yeoh, Dr. Brad Leech, Prof. Charlie Teo, Dr. Leila Masson, Petrea King, Dr. Nicole Bijlsma, Dr. Sarah Stephens
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The Neuro Blueprint: In-Person Ticket

Saturday 17th October 2026

EARLY BIRD SPECIAL
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The Neuro Blueprint: Virtual Ticket

Saturday 17th October 2026


What participants will learn 

Participants will gain a deeper understanding of: 

  • The foundational mechanisms contributing to cognitive decline, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance and HPA axis dysregulation 
  • The role of the gut–brain–immune axis in cognition, mood, behaviour and neuropsychiatric presentations 
  • How intestinal permeability, dysbiosis, cytokines, endotoxins and vagal signalling may influence brain health 
  • The science of neuroplasticity and cognitive adaptation across the lifespan

  • The role of neuroinflammation in children and how this may present clinically 
  • Practical strategies to support neuroplasticity, cognitive reserve and neurological resilience 
  • Emerging clinical applications of Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), including case-based discussion 
  • The impact of trauma, PTSD and chronic stress signalling on brain health and recovery 
  • Environmental influences that may contribute to cognitive decline, mood changes and neurological presentations 
  • Case-based approaches to complex cognitive presentations, including environmental inputs and RECODE-informed clinical considerations 
  • How to integrate evidence-informed strategies into real-world patient care 

Why this event matters 

Cognitive decline is a growing burden on individuals, families and healthcare systems. Yet long before a formal diagnosis, many patients present with subtle but clinically significant changes in focus, clarity, mood, energy, sleep, memory and behaviour. 

Integrative practitioners are uniquely placed to look beyond isolated symptoms and consider the broader biological, neurological, metabolic, environmental and emotional factors influencing brain health. 

The Neuro Blueprint will provide a clinically relevant and evidence-informed exploration of cognitive health, helping practitioners better understand the drivers of cognitive dysfunction and the opportunities for prevention, support and intervention across every stage of life. 

Featured Speakers 

  • Prof Charlie Teo: Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Adaptation Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) & Case Study
  • Dr. Nick Morgan: MC and case study presenter
  • Dr. Christabelle Yeoh: The Foundations of Cognitive Decline
  • Dr. Brad Leech: The Gut–Brain–Immune Axis 

  • Dr. Leila Masson: Neuroinflammation in Children and Case Study 
  • Petrea King: Trauma, PTSD and Brain Health 
  • Dr. Nicole Bijlsma: Environmental Influences on Cognitive Health 
  • Dr. Sarah Stephens: RECODE Case Study 
  • + more to be announced 

Topic Overview

Topics
Speaker
The Foundations of Cognitive Decline 
Dr. Christabelle Yeoh
The Gut Brain Immune Axis 
Dr. Brad Leech
Neuroplasticity and Cognitive Adaptation 
Prof. Charlie Teo
Neuroinflammation in Children & Case Study 
Dr. Leila Masson
Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation & Case Study 
Prof. Charlie Teo
Trauma & PTSD 
Petrea King
Environmental Influences 
Dr. Nicole Bijlsma
Case Study
Dr. Nick Morgan 
Case Study on RECODE 
Dr. Sarah Stephens
Q&A panel  
All presenters

Event Details

Venue: Aerial UTS Function Centre, Building 10, Level 7/235 Jones St, Ultimo, NSW

Saturday 17th October 2026
Time: Registration 8:30AM; Start 8:50AM; Morning tea 10:35AM; Lunch 12:40PM; Afternoon tea 2:45PM; Networking Drinks 5:00PM

In person & live-streamed event. Recording available for 12 months post-event

Ticket Prices

In Person:
Member: $300 EARLY BIRD: $240
Non-member: $375 EARLY BIRD: $300

Virtual:
Member: $220
Non-member: $275

ACNEM Student Members contact mail@acnem.org for a discount code on tickets

Event Sponsors

To enquire about sponsorship, please email partners@acnem.org.

MEET THE PRESENTERS

Professor Charlie Teo AM

MBBS, AM 
Professor Charlie Teo is a globally recognised neurosurgeon known for pioneering minimally invasive keyhole techniques in brain surgery. With a career spanning major academic and clinical centres in the US, Asia, Europe, and Australia, he has led transformative work in neuro-oncology and established high-impact clinical and research initiatives. A strong advocate for advancing brain cancer care, Prof. Teo has raised over $53 million to fund translational research and develop new treatment paradigms. He is the founder of the Charlie Teo Foundation, Omniscient Neurotechnology (a leader in functional brain mapping through connectomics), and Cingulum Health – a clinic dedicated to brain health using a personalised, multidisciplinary model that combines neuroscience, neuromodulation, and integrative care. With over 170 peer-reviewed publications and academic appointments across five continents, Prof. Teo brings a unique perspective that bridges surgical excellence, neuroscience, and integrative oncology. He continues to advocate for innovation, compassion, and collaboration in advancing brain cancer care globally.

Dr. Brad Leech

PhD, BHSc(Hons)
Dr. Brad Leech is a PhD Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist renowned for his expertise in addressing chronic autoimmune conditions and complex gastrointestinal disorders. He provides complete and personalised care to his patients using functional nutrition, integrative medicine and holistic wellness. After entering the profession in 2008, Brad has contributed significantly to academia, shaping curricula at universities and delving into research areas such as intestinal permeability, autoimmune disease management, and the therapeutic potential of food-based probiotics. Currently serving as the Lead Clinical Educator at Microba, Brad leverages his enthusiasm for cutting-edge science into practical strategies that empower healthcare practitioners to elevate their clinical practice and improve patient outcomes.  Brad is also an Adjunct Fellow at the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, where he continues to advance natural health sciences. 

Beyond his clinical work, Brad is deeply committed to empowering health practitioners with the knowledge and confidence to elevate their clinical outcomes. Over the years, he has mentored thousands of practitioners, equipping them with practical tools to navigate the complexities of gut health and autoimmune conditions. His mentoring programs focus on microbiome assessment and management, paediatric microbiome care, and integrative approaches to autoimmune disease. 

Dr. Christabelle Yeoh

MBBS, MRCP(UK), MSC(Nutr), FACNEM 
Dr. Christabelle Yeoh has over 2 decades of experience in clinical care, most of which has focused on understanding root causes of chronic disease. She works with her patients to optimise their biophysical health, mitochondrial health, digestive function microbiome and brain performance. She applies the premise that dysfunctions can be corrected with established practices of nutritional and environmental medicine and selective rehab to support neuroplasticity. Through understanding foundational biophysics, biochemistry, functional medicine testing and clinical assessments, she guides people through specific lifestyle and nutrient advice to positively influence energy and metabolism. Dr. Yeoh dedicates her practice to working with patients with complex chronic conditions, neuro-immune mediated or chronic inflammatory illness. Understanding and applying the biophysics of health to optimise foundations to health is a missing piece in chronic disease management. She is passionate about sharing her in-depth knowledge on the interconnectedness of human metabolism, biology and behaviour. 

Dr. Yeoh graduated from medicine at the University of London in 1999 and obtained her membership with the Royal College of Physicians (UK). She has a Masters degree in Nutrition from King’s College London. After practicing hospital medicine, she worked as a general physician with an interest in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine. She was a director (2014-2021) and president (2016-2018) at the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and is active on the teaching faculty.

Dr. Nicholas Morgan

BMed, FRACGP, FACNEM, DipTM&H 
Dr. Nick is an Integrative Medical Practitioner committed to the ever-evolving study of environmental drivers to inflammatory illness. After graduating medical school in 2014, he went on to obtain a Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene in Liverpool, UK in 2018, then a RACGP GP Fellowship. Following this, personal health circumstances motivated him to delve into the multiple imbalances that can ensue in the setting of myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome. Further study in mast cell immunology, chronic infections, gut microbiome, and bioidentical hormones all proved essential in providing the tools necessary to address the chronic inflammatory effects of ME/CFS and other chronic inflammatory illnesses. Special Interests: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Long COVID, CIRS, Fibromyalgia, Autoimmune diseases, Gut health (including Dysbiosis, SIBO, IBS, Dysmotility, Intestinal Hyperpermeability), Chronic infections, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome. Qualifications: Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Fellow of the Australasian College of Nutritional and Environmental Medicine, Awarded Distinction in the Diploma of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, UK.

Dr. Nicole Bijlsma

PhD, ND, BHScAc(Hons), GradDipOHS, DipBuildingBio, Certified Mould Remediator, Ct IV Feng Shui, Ct IV TAE
Nicole is a researcher, bestselling author (Healthy Home Healthy Family) and founder of the Healthy Home (Building Biology) movement in Australia. She established the Australian College of Environmental Studies in 1999 to educate people about the health hazards in the built environment. Nicole has lectured at tertiary institutions for over 30 years, has published in peer reviewed journals and is regularly consulted by the media to discuss mould, electromagnetic fields and toxic chemicals, and lectures in Australia and abroad about environmental health issues. Her PhD research explored the impact of environmental exposures on human health and their ramifications for general medical practice.

Dr. Leila Masson

MD, MPH, FRACP, FACNEM, DTMH 
Dr. Leila Masson is a Sydney based specialist paediatrician and author of “Children’s Health A-Z” a parent’s guide to natural therapies for common childhood ailments. She specialises in nutritional and environmental medicine for children’s health issues, including allergies, asthma, behavior problems, autism spectrum disorders and ADHD. She sees patients at her clinic in Tamarama and mentors doctors in integrative paediatrics. She received her medical doctorate from the Free University of Berlin and did her paediatric specialist training at the University of California in San Francisco. She received her Master in Public Health from Harvard University and her Diploma in Tropical Medicine from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr Masson has worked in the US, Europe, New Zealand, and volunteered for 2 years setting up a rural clinic in Pakistan.

Dr. Sarah Stephens 

MBBS, PhD(Med), BBiotech(Hons) 
Dr. Sarah Stephens is an Australian medical doctor with a PhD in mitochondrial biochemistry. With over 15 years of clinical experience, she helps people take proactive steps to support brain health, with the aim of preventing and reversing early Alzheimer’s disease. Her approach incorporates the Bredesen Protocol—the only treatment shown in published clinical trials to improve outcomes in Alzheimer’s disease. Dr. Stephens enjoys working with motivated individuals who want to take an active role in maintaining their cognitive health. Outside of her work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, crocheting, and competing in track cycling.

Petrea King

ND, DRM, DBM, DipClHyp, IYTA
Petrea established the Quest for Life Foundation in 1989 after a series of personal traumas stretching back to childhood. These included 3 years in hospital as a young teenager having orthopaedic surgeries to straighten her legs, being sexually assaulted at 17, living with a brother who died by suicide and shortly after, she survived a ‘terminal’ diagnosis of acute myeloid leukaemia. Since 1999, the Quest for Life Centre in Bundanoon, NSW has conducted residential programs for people living with various forms of trauma. Petrea and a team of facilitators, psychotherapists, yoga and meditation teachers, psychologists and other health professionals conduct 34 five-day programs each year for people experiencing physical, emotional or mental trauma including post-traumatic stress injuries. In addition, Quest facilitators conduct up to 100 one or two-day workshops in rural, regional and remote Australia each year after floods, fires or during natural disasters. Quest programs provide support and education in evidence-based healing principles, neuroplasticity, epigenetics and healthy lifestyles.

Petrea is a best-selling author of 9 books and a dozen meditation practices. She is a frequent keynote speaker, a facilitator, teacher and trainer and, for 24 years, she was a monthly guest on ABC Sydney Radio’s Midweek Conference and Nightlife where she discussed the challenges of living a meaningful life in the midst of illness, trauma, difficult circumstances and tragedy.