Perminder Singh Sachdev

Scientia Professor Perminder Singh Sachdev AM, MBBS, MD, PhD, FRANZCP, FAAHMS serves as Professor of Neuropsychiatry at UNSW Sydney, Co-Director of the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), and Clinical Director of the Neuropsychiatric Institute at Prince of Wales Hospital in Sydney, Australia. His distinguished career spans multiple leadership roles including past-president of the International Neuropsychiatric Association and inaugural Chair of the Section of Neuropsychiatry of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists.

Professor Sachdev completed his medical education at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi (MBBS 1978), followed by an MD in Psychiatry (1983) at the same institution. He furthered his training in New Zealand and Australia, where he earned his PhD in 1991 with research focused on ethnopsychological concepts in Maori culture. His academic journey culminated in numerous professional qualifications including FRANZCP and FAAHMS.

His research spans multiple critical areas in neuropsychiatry and aging, with particular emphasis on dementia and pre-dementia syndromes. His work integrates neuroimaging, neuropsychology, biomarkers, and risk factors to advance understanding of cognitive decline. Early in his career, he made significant contributions to understanding drug-induced movement disorders including akathisia, tardive dyskinesia, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome. More recently, his research has expanded to include brain stimulation techniques (TMS, DCS, VNS, and DBS) for psychiatric disorders. His work bridges clinical practice with population-based research through major longitudinal studies.

Analysis of his recent publications reveals a strong focus on neuroimaging biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease, cognitive reserve mechanisms, genetic risk factors for dementia, and innovative interventions including transcranial magnetic stimulation. His work demonstrates consistent integration of clinical observations with rigorous scientific methodology across multiple disciplines including neuroscience, geriatrics, and neurogenetics.

• NSW Scientist of the Year for Biomedical Sciences (2010)
• Appointed Member of the Order of Australia (2011)
• Founder's Medal by the Australian Society for Psychiatric Research (2011)
• International Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association (2012)
• UNSW Medicine Dean's award for outstanding contribution to research and teaching (2014)
• Fellow of the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences (2015)

Professor Sachdev has secured substantial funding to support his research programs, including leadership of three major longitudinal cognitive aging studies: Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, Older Australian Twins Study, and Sydney Centenarian Study. He also leads three international networks: COSMIC, STROKOG, and ICC-Dementia. His research has been supported by numerous grants from national and international funding bodies focused on brain health and dementia prevention. Beyond his formal academic roles, he serves as Chief Medical Adviser to Alzheimer's Australia and Medical Adviser to the Tourette Syndrome Association of Australia.

The Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), which Professor Sachdev co-founded in 2012, represents a major interdisciplinary research hub focused on promoting brain health and preventing dementia. CHeBA brings together researchers from diverse fields including neuroscience, psychology, genetics, and public health to address the complex challenges of cognitive aging. The institute maintains strong collaborations with clinical services at Prince of Wales Hospital through the Neuropsychiatric Institute, creating a seamless research-clinical interface.