Jody Kamminga is a neurologist based in Newcastle, NSW, Australia.
Neurology is all about the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord and nerves. Jody looks after people with changes in memory, thinking and language, as well as serious ongoing conditions that affect movement and muscle control.
In day to day practice, Jody cares for patients who may have dementia or memory loss. This can also include frontotemporal dementia, where changes in behaviour, personality and language can show up over time. At times, people also come in with developmental dysphasia familial, which can affect speech and communication from an earlier stage of life.
Jody also works with people dealing with progressive motor neuron conditions. This includes amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease) and primary lateral sclerosis. These conditions can be tough for both patients and families, especially because symptoms can build gradually and plans often need to be reviewed as things change.
Another part of the work includes support for AIDS dementia complex. When the brain is affected, it can lead to memory and thinking changes, and it often comes with other health challenges. Jody’s role is to help make sense of what is happening and guide next steps in a calm, practical way.
People often want answers, but they also want someone who can explain things without making it feel overwhelming. Jody focuses on clear conversations, so patients and carers understand what the symptoms could mean and what the usual checks and follow-up look like.
Over time, caring for neurological conditions means working with the whole picture, not just one test result. It can involve coordinating care across different services and keeping an eye on how a person is coping day to day. For many people, that support and continuity matters as much as the medical side.
Jody’s medical training is in neurology, with ongoing learning that helps keep knowledge current as guidelines and best practice evolve. If research or trials are being considered for a specific situation, this kind of discussion usually happens as part of a broader care plan, depending on what is available locally and what fits the person’s needs.
If you’re looking for a neurologist in Newcastle, Jody Kamminga offers experience caring for people with dementia-related problems, memory and language changes, and progressive neurological conditions.