Studies seek new insights into Parkinson’s disease

One team of researchers specialising in physiotherapy is looking into the exercise preferences of people with Parkinson’s, asking them to complete a survey, either online or on paper.

“These findings will inform decisions about how to best deliver evidence-based exercise programs that account for preferences of people with Parkinson’s disease and maximise uptake and adherence,” researcher and associate lecturer Julie Bampton said.

In a separate research study, Kay Double of the university’s Brain and Mind Centre is looking into the use of ultrasound to detect Parkinson’s disease.

The study aims to understand how changes in the healthy human brain are associated with the risk of developing the disease.

Dr Double is looking for healthy volunteers and those with Parkinson’s disease aged 50-70 to have their movements assessed by a neurologist and have an ultrasound and MRI scan on their brain.