The North of Scotland Parkinson’s Research Podcast Series

In this episode we are delighted to have the opportunity to discuss the latest thinking on Diet and Parkinson's with someone uniquely placed to do so from both a professional and a personal perspective. Richelle Flanagan is not only a leading dietician in Ireland with nearly two decades of experience, but she also lives with Parkinson's Disease having been diagnosed seven years ago when she was expecting her second child.

Dr Kathryn Bowles explains her fascinating research into a little known gene that is thought to help protect the brain. It is hoped that discovering how this process works will provide vital new knowledge as to why some people develop Parkinson’s and others don’t. Kat also talks Julie and Helga through the complex world of genetic research, how it has developed over recent years, and why it can take so long to see progress. www.bowleslab.co.uk https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9284779/pdf/13024_2022_Article_551.pdf

In this special episode of the North of Scotland Parkinson’s Research Interest Group podcast series to mark International Women’s Day 2024, we are delighted to have with us Richelle Flanagan from Ireland. Since attending the World Parkinson’s Congress in 2019 following her own diagnosis of Young Onset disease seven years ago, she has worked tirelessly to raise the profile of women with Parkinson’s. Now a leading advocate for females with the disease across the globe, her pioneering work is driving forward long overdue research into how Parkinson’s and its medications specifically affect women of all ages. She is co-founder of the worldwide Women’s Parkinson’s Project and also ‘mymovesmatter.com’ – a digital health app allowing users to track every aspect of their health and wellbeing to help them live the best life possible with Parkinson’s. Related links: https://www.mymovesmatter.com/uccpilotstudy https://www.mymovesmatter.com/get-the-app https://movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/mds.28921#:~:text=PD%20and%20physicians.-,Women%20with%20PD%20need%20to%20be%20educated%20and%20empowered%20on,psychological%20and%20social%20support%20needs. https://www.womensparkinsonsproject.com/ https://pregspark.com/ https://www.yopdwomen.com/resourcees https://www.womensbrainproject.com/2024/01/21/parkinsonsreport/

Sleep issues are one of the most widely reported non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's In this episode Dr David Breen explains the mechanism of sleep, talks us through some of the theories surrounding sleep as a possible predictor of disease or indicator of prognosis, and the challenges & of researching the science behind it.

As a member of the Parkinson's Disease guideline committee of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, Clare Johnson explains the vast number of ways Occupational Therapists help patients and their families cope with the everyday motor and non-motor challenges of living with Parkinsons. We hear about the benefits of multi-disciplinary clinics and why standard measurement scales can fall short compared to individualised evaluation.

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

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.

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: Mind Infoline 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-PDPTOP HAT 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: Mind Infoline 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-PDPTOP HAT 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

In this episode of the North of Scotland Parkinson’s Research Interest Group podcast, Julie joins Professor Gareth Jones who is epidemiologist based at the University of Aberdeen. In this pod Julie and Gareth demystify key research terminology such as what is a randomised controlled study? Why sample size is important in research? What is peer review? What involved in the ethics process. So, a research 101 on key research terminology to help people make more sense of research jargon. Enjoy. 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

Julie Jones meets James Jopling, Parkinsons UK’s Scotland Director. James joined the charity a year ago in the wake of the Covid pandemic and just as the cost of living crisis began to bite. In this episode he talks about the challenges facing the charity, the unique way Parkinson’s U.K. encourage public involvement in research and he takes a look forward to the future. 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

Julie Jones is a Physiotherapist & Senior Lecturer at the Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. She is passionate about improving services for people with Parkinson's & the benefit of exercise. Helga Macfarlane was diagnosed with Parkinson's in 2017 aged 52, and devotes much of her time to helping raise awareness of the disease and how it impacts the lives of people with PD. In this podcast Julie shares her perspective on Parkinson's research. 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

Consultant Neurologist Carl Counsell divides his time between clinical practice and research at Aberdeen University. Dr Counsell leads the University’s Chronic Disease Research group, which aims to improve health through the clinical research of chronic diseases and health care, supporting evidenced based practice and policy. In this podcast Carl shares his thoughts on what the future research priorities are plus what he perceives are the key research priorities for Parkinson's. 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

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

Welcome to the NoSPRIG podcasts! The aim of our podcast series is to focus on Parkinson’s research from a Scottish perspective and highlight some of the work being done here to find out more about the mechanisms of this complex disease and ways of making life better for those living with it. We hope you enjoy listening. Please keep checking back for new episodes! 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