The North of Scotland Parkinson’s Research Podcast Series – Details, episodes & analysis

This episode focuses on the remarkable research being done by Dr Tom Gilbertson in Dundee, that suggests people with Parkinson’s may be able to reprogram new pathways in their brain to overcome the common symptom of apathy. He also describes his future work and the belief that non-invasive, reversible ultrasound therapies may one day be capable of modifying the function of neurons to provide symptom control.

Dr Angus Macleod is a Honorary Consultant Neurologist with NHS Grampian specialising in movement disorders inc. Parkinson’s and also a Senior Lecturer at the School of Medicine at the University of Aberdeen.

This podcast focuses on his own research and also his views on the most promising areas of research currently underway. 

The North of Scotland Parkinsons research interest groups:  https://www.nosprig.org/

Research groups nationally:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/local-parkinsons-research-interest-groups

Parkinson’s UK Scotland:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/parkinsons-uk-scotland

Speech and language issues can affect many people with Parkinson's at any stage of the disease. In this episode Dr Anja Lowit, Professor of Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Strathclyde talks Julie Jones and Helga Macfarlane through the various interventions that can help, the challenges of carrying out and analysing research into speech and language and how technology is developing to help.

Based in the Centre for Regenerative Medicine in the University of Edinburgh, Professor Kunath is Chair of Regenerative Neurobiology.  The focus of his laboratory addresses two key areas: (i) understanding how the protein, alpha-synuclein, causes degeneration of neurons in Parkinson’s, and (ii) producing a cell-based therapy for Parkinson’s Disease.

The North of Scotland Parkinsons research interest groups:  https://www.nosprig.org/

Research groups nationally:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/local-parkinsons-research-interest-groups

Parkinson’s UK Scotland:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/parkinsons-uk-scotland

Ed Newman is a Consultant Neurologist based at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Glasgow Royal Infirmary. He has a specialist interest in movement disorders and Parkinson’s Disease. He is part of the National Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) service in Scotland and runs a Parkinson’s Disease telemedicine service to the Western Isles. He is also interested in medical education and runs the clinical neurosciences teaching programme for University of Glasgow’s Medical School.

If you want to know more about DBS, Parkinson’s UK have a number of great resources, please click here for more. 

Jo who has Parkinson’s invited Parkinsons UK to film her journey following having DBS, if you would like to view this, click here

Professor David Dexter, Parkinson’s UK’s Director of Research shares his optimism over current trials that are nearing completion. He explains the charity’s research strategy, the roles and importance of volunteers, and the challenges the disease presents researchers in their quest to find new treatments and a cure.

We are delighted to have Alan Main on this month’s NoSPRIG podcast, who hails from Aberdeen, but whose 30-year career working for multinational healthcare companies has taken him all round the world and to the very top of the pharma industry. His career has focused mainly on consumer healthcare and medical technology, and he is a former Global President of Bayer Medical Care and Head of Consumer Healthcare at Sanofi. 

The North of Scotland Parkinsons research interest groups:  https://www.nosprig.org/

Research groups nationally:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/local-parkinsons-research-interest-groups

Parkinson’s UK Scotland:  https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/about-us/parkinsons-uk-scotland

Welcome to part 2 of our special two part podcast to mark World Mental Health Day 2023 on 10th October. Julie Jones and Neil Morrison from NoSPRIG will be joined by Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Jennifer Foley and mental health specialist Parkinson’s Nurse Emma Edwards  

In episode 2, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at depression, another common mental health issue facing people with Parkinson’s. 

Dr Jennifer Foley is a senior clinical neuropsychologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Honorary Lecturer at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London. She has a specific interest in patients with movement disorders.  She is lead of the Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network for Mental Health and is involved in research trials of new treatments for the cognitive and emotional symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Emma Edwards is a mental health nurse by background but has worked in various roles in psychiatry before joining and the Cornwall Parkinson’s nurse team in 2010. She moved to Plymouth to work as a PD nurse in 2019. Her special interest in Parkinson’s is improving all things mental health for her patients. Emma is currently seconded to the Suicide prevention training team, to improve her knowledge in this area, which she feels is a very much  underserved area in Parkinson’s research in the UK.

Get support for your mental health:

People with Parkinson's tell us that they feel their mental health issues can make their physical symptoms of Parkinson's feel worse, and recent research has proven this. That's why it's important to talk to your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse about all of your Parkinson's symptoms, whether physical or mental. 

As discussed in the pod, talking to others about anxiety, depression or your mental health has been shown to be beneficial.  You can also speak to people on Parkinsons UK online forum or via Parkinson’s UK local support groups across the country, including groups specifically for people of working age. Local groups are a great way to meet other people with Parkinson's in your area, find out more about the condition and get support in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Parkinson's UK also have a helpline which is a free confidential service providing support to anyone affected by Parkinson's. You can reach the Helpline on 0808 800 0303.

Our trained advisers, including specialist Parkinson's nurses, can provide information and advice about all aspects of living with Parkinson's.

You can also contact:

• the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 for more information on mental health issues, which is open 9am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
• Samaritans on 116 123 at any time for free. 

 Taking part in research was mentioned within the podcast.  search for research opportunities on Take Part 

Two- current studies are investigating the treatment of Parkinson’s hallucinations or delusions:

• CAN-PDP: Cannabidiol (CBD) for people with Parkinson's who experience hallucinations or delusions
• TOP HAT: TOP HAT: Trial of a licensed drug as a treatment for hallucinations

Mental health and Parkinson’s

Find out more about mental health and Parkinson’s.

Welcome to part 1 of our special two part podcast to mark World Mental Health Day 2023 on 10th October. Julie Jones and Neil Morrison from NoSPRIG will be joined by Senior Clinical Neuropsychologist Dr Jennifer Foley and mental health specialist Parkinson’s Nurse Emma Edwards  

In episode 1, we’ll be taking an in-depth look at anxiety, one of the most common mental health issues facing people with Parkinson’s. 

Dr Jennifer Foley is a senior clinical neuropsychologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery and Honorary Lecturer at UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology in London. She has a specific interest in patients with movement disorders.  She is lead of the Parkinson’s UK Excellence Network for Mental Health and is involved in research trials of new treatments for the cognitive and emotional symptoms of Parkinson’s disease.

Emma Edwards is a mental health nurse by background but has worked in various roles in Psychiatry, before joining and the Cornwall Parkinson’s nurse team in 2010. She moved to Plymouth to work as a PD nurse in 2019. Her special interest in Parkinson’s is improving all things mental health for her patients. Emma is currently seconded to the Suicide prevention training team, to improve her knowledge in this area, which she feels is very much underserved in Parkinson’s research in the UK.

Get support for your mental health:

People with Parkinson's tell us that they feel their mental health issues can make their physical symptoms of Parkinson's feel worse, and recent research has proven this. That's why it's important to talk to your GP, specialist or Parkinson's nurse about all of your Parkinson's symptoms, whether physical or mental. 

As discussed in the pod, talking to others about anxiety, depression or your mental health has been shown to be beneficial.  You can also speak to people on Parkinsons UK online forum or via Parkinson’s UK local support groups across the country, including groups specifically for people of working age. Local groups are a great way to meet other people with Parkinson's in your area, find out more about the condition and get support in a friendly and welcoming environment.

Parkinson's UK also have a helpline which is a free confidential service providing support to anyone affected by Parkinson's. You can reach the Helpline on 0808 800 0303.

Our trained advisers, including specialist Parkinson's nurses, can provide information and advice about all aspects of living with Parkinson's.

You can also contact:

• the Mind Infoline on 0300 123 3393 for more information on mental health issues, which is open 9am to 6pm, from Monday to Friday.
• Samaritans on 116 123 at any time for free. 

 Taking part in research was mentioned within the podcast.  search for research opportunities on Take Part Hub

Two- current studies are investigating the treatment of Parkinson’s hallucinations or delusions:

• CAN-PDP: Cannabidiol (CBD) for people with Parkinson's who experience hallucinations or delusions
• TOP HAT: TOP HAT: Trial of a licensed drug as a treatment for hallucinations

Mental health and Parkinson’s

Find out more about mental health and Parkinson’s.

Listen in to hear Helga Macfarlane chat to Jo Holland and Alison Williams, who  have been involved with the Parkinson’s Beats programme. 

As Julie Jones explains, it is widely accepted that exercise is beneficial for people living with Parkinson’s, but finding a form of exercise that you enjoy and can do regularly can be challenging.  Parkinson’s Beats is a form of cardio drumming which has been adapted to meet the needs of people with Parkinson’s. 

Jo Holland attended a locally run cardio drumming class and fell in love with this form of exercise.  Since then, she has been successful at securing funding from Parkinson’s UK and the National lottery to set up the delivery of Parkinson’s Beats, and now has  classes twice a week, either face to face or online.  The online class has people attending from all over Scotland, the wider UK, and overseas. 

Parkinson’s Beats can be done sitting or standing, and incorporates aerobic exercise, large amplitude movements, auditory cueing as well as cognitive or thinking challenge. Anecdotally, attendees reported physical and psychological and emotional benefits. Jo has since teamed up with other people with Parkinson’s and researchers to evaluate the impact of Parkinson’s Beats among those who participate regularly in the programme.  The evaluation was funded by a small grant from Parkinson’s UK, and the recent findings were presented at the World Parkinson’s Congress by Jo Holland and Julie Jones. 

If you would like to know more about Parkinson’s Beats, as a result of listening to this podcast, or would like to join a class please email Jo jhollandparkinsons@gmail.com on facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093468440984