Research Grants

Parkinson’s Queensland’s Inc. research grants are funded through the generosity of individual and corporate donors and bequests.

The primary aim of the Parkinson’s Queensland Inc. Seeding Grant Scheme is to support individual researchers and research teams to conduct high quality research into Parkinson’s disease. This includes both basic and applied science research.  In 2010 PQI awarded funding to qualified research students for innovative research projects related to Parkinson’s disease.  In total, four grants were granted; 2 PhD Grants and 2 Research Seeding Grants.

Novel methods of detection of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease

Dr Nadeeka Dissanayaka (University of Queensland) will be exploring and developing strategies to diagnose anxiety in PD at early stages of the disease. Clinical interviews, psycholinguistic methods (affective priming) and brain waves recording (electroencephalography) will be used. This will facilitate clear definitions of anxiety related to PD, providing a means by which novel assessment methods for anxiety in PD can be developed. Identifying early diagnostic methods for anxiety in PD will improve clinical practice and future clinical trials establishing better treatment strategies.

Frontal cortex activation mapping during cognitive tests of executive function in Parkinson’s disease patients receiving deep brain therapy

QUT Associate Professor, Dr Graham Kerr, will be utilising non-invasive functional near-infrared topography to map frontal cortex (FC) activation during cognitive tests of executive function in the elderly, PD patients, and PD patients receiving sub thalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) therapy. Outcomes of this research will clarify the relationship between FC activation and cognitive dysfunction and provide a better understanding of the stimulation parameters that influence executive functioning in PD patients receiving STN-DBS therapy.

Brain structural change correlates of postural instability and cognition in Parkinson’s disease

University of Queensland PhD student, Ms Dong Xu, will be using advanced MRI-based methods combined with quantitative gait and cognitive assessments to investigate the relationship between brain structure, cognitive decline and falls in PD. This research will contribute to the development of objective diagnostic imaging markers for determining postural instability and falls risk in people with PD.

Measuring and understanding community walking in people with Parkinson’s disease

University of Queensland PhD student, Mrs Robyn Lamont will be commencing a study to compare the accuracy and reliability of two methods of quantifying community walking in PD (an activPAL and pedometer). The study will also involve determining the relationship between community walking and symptoms of PD including gait and executive function.