Research Themes

Meet the Researcher.

Dr. Stephen Mullin holds a clinical lectureship in Neurology at The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at Plymouth University.   In this presentation he describes how the GBA gene causes Parkinson’s, outlines some exciting recent advances in drug development, and fields questions from the audience.

In recent years it has become clear that genetics plays a key role in the development of Parkinson’s. By understanding genetic pathways, the hope is that a novel drug to prevent or slow down Parkinson’s development can be produced. One of the most common genes implicated in Parkinson’s is glucocerebrosidase (GBA). About 10% of people with Parkinson’s in the UK carry a mutation in this gene.

The Edmond J Safra ACT-PD Initiative,  Accelerating Clinical Trials in Parkinson’s.

This is a Presentation by Dr Camille Carroll about this significant multi-disciplinary study.

To say that the pace of Clinical Trials for Parkinson’s is pedestrian is to be polite about the systemic problem. The EJS ACT-PD Initiative demonstrates the complexity of the task of fixing it. We applaud the intentions and commitment of those involved and wish them well. They deserve to be supported. This is PenPRIG’s way of doing so.

During the Covid-19 pandemic it has seemed to many people that Parkinson’s research has slowed in favour of rapidly finding treatments, cures and preventive measures against the virus.

Out of the clinical limelight a group of Parkinson’s researchers and people affected by Parkinson’s together with funders have been developing a new type of clinical trial called Multi Arm, Multi Stage, or MAMS for short.

Dr Carroll explains how MAMS can enable several Parkinson’s therapies to be assessed simultaneously, and those that are promising can be taken seamlessly and quickly on to Phase Three trials and therapeutic use.

Meet The Researcher Online.

Dr Will Young gave this presentation about his work using psychological techniques on the prediction and prevention of falls in older adults, and people with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s. He is especially interested in how anxiety about falling can influence gait disturbance and the control of balance/walking.

The goal of his current work is to develop practical, low-cost strategies to help prevent falls and improve mobility. Will emphasised his commitment to involvement. “I always look for advice and comments from local Parkinson’s branches and groups to help guide ongoing and future research”.

Dr Young is a Senior Lecturer in Rehabilitation Psychology at the School of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Exeter. He previously lectured in this discipline in the Department of Clinical Sciences, Brunel University. He has worked as researcher in the fields of Neurology, Neurorehabilitation, Psychology and Sports Psychology.

Meet The Researcher Online

We asked Claire Bale to address  a question close to the surface of many discussions among people with Parkinson’s.  She gave this presentation  and fielded questions from a Panel.

Claire is head of Research Communications and Engagement at Parkinson’s UK.  Her team’s work includes developing communications such as Progress magazine, the Parkinson’s UK website and the Medium Blog

Claire Bale has a Masters in Molecular Biology from the University of Bath and a Masters in Science Communication from Australian National University.

Meet The Researcher Online

Dr J David Beckham MD FIDSA  is Associate Professor of Medicine, Immunology and Microbiology in the Infectious Diseases Division at the Anschutz Medical Campus of the University of Colorado in Denver.

His laboratory investigates how viruses interact with the host immune system in the periphery and in the brain. The aim is to identify these mechanisms and design novel drug therapies or vaccines to treat or prevent viral infections in the nervous system. Their work has led them to investigate how inflammation may trigger events related to the development of Parkinson’s disease and related neurodegenerative disorders.

In this interview Dr Beckham discusses how the structure of a virus enables some of them to go by unnoticed and others to kill us in a variety of unpleasant ways. He explains why his interest has grown in the application of their research to Parkinson’s.

From Rallying to the Challenge 2020, shown with the kind permission of Cure Parkinson’s.

Meet The Researcher Online

Dr Simon Stott introduces “disease modification” and sets out the directions the research community is taking to tackle Parkinson’s along with the related drug trials.  His presentation is followed by a Q&A Panel. The questions addressed genetic research and its applicability to the idiopathic diagnosis, the impact of Covid-19, and when new treatments could be available.

Dr. Stott is Deputy Director of Research at Cure Parkinson’s. He has been working in the field of Parkinson’s research for over 15 years in academic institutions and biotech companies. Latterly he was a research associate at the lab of Professor Roger Barker in the department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Cambridge. Simon is also author of the  excellent blog The Science Of Parkinson’s.

Emma King and Emma Edwards get together to present this research-led clinical service, now daily business for people in the Parkinson’s Community looked after by the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.

It has been recognised with “Highly Commended” in the Digital Innovation category of the 2021 British Medical Journal Industry Awards. Most importantly, the service works and has had – and continues to have – a positive impact on patients, care partners and clinical staff.

To mark the BMJ Award, Dr. Camille Carroll introduces the video.

Everyone with Parkinson’s should have access to this type of service. How quickly will other NHS Trusts step up to the plate?

#1 The Home-based Care Pathway for People with Parkinson’s, presented by Emma King, approx. 15 minutes duration, starts at 03:12.
#2 The impact of the Home-based Care Pathway on PDNS Services in Plymouth, presented by Emma Edwards, approx. 15 minutes duration, starts at 18:46.
#3 Q and A, starts at 34:56.

Please read an introduction to the Home Based Care Pathway.