The Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation Clinical Research Group in the School of Clinical Medicine develops methods for early diagnosis and treatment for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions that affect both peripheral and central nervous systems.
With a strong clinical focus on developing new methods for early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, the Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation Clinical Research Group is committed to improving patient outcomes for these conditions worldwide.
Our goals
We have a specific interest in peripheral neuropathy that occurs in the context of diseases of high global prevalence including diabetes, kidney failure, obesity and cancer. Our research is patient focused and interdisciplinary. We have a diverse range of expertise in areas such as neurology, neurophysiology, vision science, metabolic medicine and mathematical modelling.
Our novel multidisciplinary program of research in central nervous system disorders, includes research in Parkinson’s Disease, Cognitive impairment(in conjunction with Scientia Professor Kaarin Anstey) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In MS we focus on exploring the basis of common MS symptoms such as vision changes, fatigue and sleep disturbance and analysing the impact of disease modifying treatments through confocal imaging of the cornea and analysis of neuropeptide levels in the tear film. We have also recently commenced studies of corneal nerve imaging as a method of monitoring disease progression in Parkinson’s Disease and in persons who are reporting symptoms of cognitive impairment using corneal nerve
Our vision science programme has recently expanded to migraine, focusing on ocular surface changes in persons with migraine, which. is the eighth leading cause of disability years lost, and the leading cause of disability days lost among people under 50. The crosstalk between migraine processes and those affecting the ocular surface is not well understood, but physiological pathways may overlap. To better monitor and manage chronic migraine, we aim to expand our understanding of the connection between ocular surface disease and migraine.
Research strengths
- Neurophysiology and nerve excitability assessment.
- Corneal confocal microscopy and tear neuropeptide assays.
- Peripheral nerve ultrasound.
Our results
- Clinical trial demonstrating a neuroprotective effect of dietary potassium restriction in kidney disease.
- Observational study demonstrating that glucagon-peptide 1 receptor agonists and metformin may be potential treatments for this condition and discovery of diagnostic role of nerve ultrasound in diabetic neuropathy.
- Clinical trial demonstrating benefit of potassium channel blockers on walking distance in multiple sclerosis.
- Clinical study demonstrating that diabetic neuropathy can influence both the corneal nerves and the neuropeptides they release into the tear film.
- Clinical study demonstrating that the neurotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs are also evident in the cornea and tear film.
