Dementia: The Brains Trust, Episode 6: Mike Scott’s MRI scan

Herald video journalist Mike Scott is not used to having the lens zoom in on his personal and painful story.

As a little boy, he and his siblings, Chris and Angus, feared their father, who was violent and an alcoholic.

“I knew dad was struggling and he wished he could stop. I remember once he got us out of bed. He was drunk and asked us ‘what do I need to do to stop’? Mike said.

Bob Scott was 70 years old when he was diagnosed with dementia. He became forgetful, paranoid, and confused.

New Zealand Herald visual journalist Mike Scott with his family, daughter Ruby, 12, left, Aria, 10, and partner Marita Lavery. Photo / Mike Scott

Worried that he might also be predisposed to dementia Mike, 48, decided to be filmed having an MRI scan as a healthy volunteer (watch the video to see the results).

“Before the test, there was a little bit of apprehension.

“Once you actually get into the machine and you know your brain is being scanned, you get a bit nervous.

“On the one hand it could be pretty negative, on the other hand I could find something that’s going to help me plan for the future.”

An image from Mike Scott’s MRI scan. Image/ Matai MRI Reserach Institute

Mike’s partner, Marita Lavery, describes him as “loyal and intelligent” and a fabulous father to their two daughters, Ruby 12, and Aria 10.

“He’s Mike the adventurer, Mike the active fun guy to hang out with.”

She feels proud that her “deeply private” partner has revealed so much of himself.

A digitally enhanced image of Mike Scott’s brain taken from his MRI scan. Image / Matai MRI Research Institute

“He’s so committed to everything he does. He’s committed to the children, me, his family and the projects he gets involved in. Revealing himself at this level is not natural to him, revealing the private backstory in the family is not something he would have considered lightly.

“He has always been socially driven, so I am proud of him. If we can get a real shift in the support and investment around dementia out of this, that would be another feather in his cap.”

Dementia: The Brains Trust – The full series

Supported by NZ On Air

Episode 1 – Deborah and Anne Pead: ‘She’s my mum and I love her – but mentally there’s nothing there’

Episode 2 – Warwick and Pummy Hickling: ‘In sickness and in health’ – the love story of Warwick and Pummy

Episode 3 – Care villages offer new approach: Can’t see, can’t hear, no balance – Mike Scott learns what dementia feels like

Episode 4 – Rita Marx and the Māori way: ‘I think everyone could see my mum had dementia except me’

Episode 5 – Mike, Bob and Christine Scott: ‘My daughter’s name is Christine’

Episode 6 – Mike Scott’s MRI scan: ‘This MRI scan could tell me if I’ll get dementia. Do I want to find out?’

Where to get help

If this content has raised any concerns for you, please see your GP or contact:

Dementia New Zealand
0800 433 636
Email: support@dementia.nz

Alzheimers New Zealand
0800 004 001
Email: admin@alzheimers.org.nz

• If it is a medical issue and you need advice, call Healthline on 0800 611 116.

• Call 111 in the event of an emergency.