Can We Rewire the Brain? The New Science of Neurogenesis Explained | Ep 225 | DevReady Podcast

In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Anthony Sapountzis is joined by Dr Grace Ng, CEO and Chief Medical Liaison at Brain Aid Clinics and CEO of Gyrilla Investments Group. With a distinguished background in IT, corporate strategy, and medicine, Dr Grace shares her remarkable journey from tech executive to neurosurgical trainee and brain health innovator. Her work today sits at the intersection of neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and personalised care, with a focus on non-invasive neurostimulation techniques such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS). Through this lens, she challenges the boundaries of conventional psychiatric diagnosis and treatment, offering a fresh, integrative approach to brain care grounded in clinical rigour and technological innovation.

Dr Grace advocates for rethinking mental health not merely as psychological distress but as a manifestation of brain dysfunction—treatable through neurogenesis, cellular repair, and improved neural connectivity. Using tools like fMRI navigation and DNA-based nutritional profiling, her clinic delivers highly individualised care supported by a holistic program called “Thought, Movement & Food.” These interventions aim to cultivate a neuroplastic environment where patients can see measurable improvement in conditions such as depression, anxiety, and even early-stage Alzheimer’s. At the heart of her approach is the belief that diagnosis does not have to determine destiny—with the right conditions, the brain can heal itself.

Throughout the conversation, Dr Grace draws compelling analogies—such as comparing Alzheimer’s pathology to corrupted code in an object-oriented program—to explain the need for root-cause understanding and system-level repair. The discussion takes a personal turn as both Grace and Anthony reflect on witnessing loved ones deteriorate due to dementia, strengthening their shared conviction in the power of neurostimulation and lifestyle-based therapy. She underscores that while her work may sound “crystal therapy–adjacent,” it is in fact anchored in decades of peer-reviewed science and supported by emerging global results. Her emphasis on research-driven protocols ensures that even cutting-edge approaches are backed by evidence and measurable outcomes.

Dr Grace also explores the transformative potential of machine learning in healthcare, especially in tailoring treatments to the individual. Rather than generic language models, her clinic integrates diverse data—ranging from pathology reports to lifestyle inputs into predictive algorithms that guide intervention plans. She explains the challenges posed by data silos, incomplete records, and regulatory constraints, noting that true innovation often occurs in environments where conventional systems have failed. Highlighting autism as an example, she explains the need for nuanced, spectrum-based approaches over categorical thinking and stresses the importance of global research collaboration and clinical trials to validate and scale new treatments responsibly.

As the episode draws to a close, the conversation turns to the ethical and legal implications of AI in medicine. While technologies like Google’s Gemini can outperform radiologists in image interpretation, the practitioner remains legally responsible for outcomes. Dr Grace likens this to shifts in software development, where orchestration replaces traditional coding, creating challenges in training and verification. She praises Australia’s TGA for upholding high regulatory standards, which enable its data to be recognised internationally. At the same time, she encourages curiosity, open dialogue, and shared learning, emphasising that breakthroughs in medicine must always be matched by trust, accountability, and patient-centred care.

#BrainHealth #MentalHealthInnovation #Neurostimulation #AIinMedicine #PersonalisedHealthcare #Neuroplasticity #HealthTech #DevReadyPodcast