The Parkinson’s East Midlands Research Interest Group (PEMRIG) holds events focused on Parkinson’s research.
WHAT’S NEXT FROM PEMRIG?
PEMRIG is continuing to plan its programme of events. If you have suggestions for forum topics for online and/or face-to-face meetings, please email your ideas to Liz Nash with the subject line ‘PEMRIG’ at lnash@parkinsons.org.uk
Coming up:
PEMRIG is planning a 2-3 speaker online research talk in the Autumn. More information in later newsletters!
You’re invited: The Parkinson’s UK East Midlands Research Interest Group (PEMRIG) hosts a virtual lab visit to Professor Perdita Barran and her team at the University of Manchester
When: Monday 9 February 2026, 2 – 3.30pm
Where: Online via Zoom
What: Presentation and virtual lab tour with time for Q&A
Interested in attending? Please register via the Zoom registration page: https://parkinsons-org-uk.zoom.us/meeting/register/MGsimVtYS3mZW11JCivFBg.
Join PEMRIG for a virtual visit to Professor Perdita Barran’s lab in Manchester. Her team is studying the chemical changes in the skin oil (sebum) of people with Parkinson’s (PwP). This research was inspired by Joy Milne, a “super-smeller” who first noticed years ago that PwP have an altered ‘smell.’
Professor Barran’s team uses advanced technology to identify these sebum changes. They have even started a company, Sebomix, to develop a quick, non-invasive test for Parkinson’s based on these changes. This test could potentially offer a diagnosis before symptoms even start. Professor Barran also contributed to a recent study showing that certain dogs can be trained to detect Parkinson’s by the change in sebum composition.
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Liz Nash, Research Support Network Lead, on lnash@parkinsons.org.uk or 0207 963 9398.
Previous events:
A Research talk from Dr Tom Payne, Tuesday 6th May
On May 6th from 12.00 midday to 1.00pm – a research talk from Dr Tom Payne of Sheffield about his research on what goes wrong with mitochondria in Parkinson’s. This talk was recorded for the PEMRIG website.
Dr Payne writes: My main areas of interest are neuroimaging (with a focus on MRI), early phase clinical trials and the identification of mitochondrial dysfunction in Parkinson’s. My research aims to develop effective tools to stratify Parkinson’s disease both clinically and according to the specific underlying pathogenic mechanism in an individual, such as mitochondrial dysfunction to ultimately move towards more personalised medicine approaches in Parkinson’s‘.
‘Drug Discovery in Neuroscience’ with pharma Merck Sharp & Dohme (MSD)
This online event was held on Monday 11th November 2024.
MSD are hosting a virtual presentation to discuss and demonstrate their ongoing research in relation to neurodegeneration with a particular focus on Parkinson’s. You will hear from Janet Brownlees (Senior Director, Neuroscience) and gain insight into technologies currently used in the research.
13th Annual PEMRIG Research and Welfare meeting: ‘Living Well with Parkinson’s’
This event was held on September 7th 2024 and hosted a range of speakers on the topic of ‘Living Well with Parkinson’s’. The speakers and topics were as follows:
Dr Lynne Barker: The gut microbiome and gut-brain axis in Parkinson’s: What have we learned so far and possible ways to enhance wellbeing.
Dr Bhanu Ramaswamy OBE: Strength Training and Brain Health.
Sarah Jane McCracken and Chris Stanley: We are Undefeatable: Living Well with Parkinson’s through exercise.
Dr Simon Stott: An Update on Parkinson’s Research in 2024 and Beyond.
Helen Scarr: Seated Yoga, Breathwork and Meditation Session.
This free East Midlands Parkinson’s Research Event was organised by the local Parkinson’s community; PEMRIG greatly appreciated the input of Katie Smith and her team from Parkinson’s UK for helping us with this event.
You can download an event summary here, and find the presentations from each speaker here.
Online visit to Dr Charmaine Lang’s laboratory in Oxford
This was an online visit to Dr Charmaine Lang’s laboratory to hear about her Parkinson’s research work, April 3rd 2024.
Dr Lang describes her research work:
Parkinson’s research is centralised on the idea of finding ways to support dopamine neurons and to prevent their loss. While much research is focused on dopamine neurons themselves, it is important to note that they do not exist alone in the human brain and receive and require many signals and molecules for support and function from other cell types, most importantly astrocytes. Therefore, the focus of my research is on understanding whether dopamine neuron loss in Parkinson’s is due to a lack of support by astrocytes and to find ways in which we can boost this support to promote dopamine neuron survival.
Modelling the complexity of the human brain for Parkinson’s research is difficult. However, a recent technology allows us to take skin cells from Parkinson’s patients and reprogramme these skin cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). These iPSCs can be turned into any cell type in the body and we have developed protocols to produce iPSC-derived dopamine neurons and astrocytes for research. My work uses these iPSC-derived dopamine neurons and astrocytes to study communication between these two cell types, as well as astrocyte support of dopamine neurons in Parkinson’s.
Additionally, my work involves developing drug therapy avenues to boost either astrocyte support of dopamine neurons or dopamine neuron function in Parkinson’s.
‘Navigating Parkinson’s: Update, Imaging, and Digital Tools’
On the 11th March 2024, PEMRIG held an online talk crafted for patients and their families.
The presentation gave an update on advancements in Parkinson’s research, potential breakthroughs in treatment options and disease management. It covered advanced imaging techniques, which help us to visualize and track changes of the brain in Parkinson’s, and the latest in digital tools designed to monitor and enhance the well-being of those affected by PD.
To access the recording from the event, click this link.
‘The microbiome-gut-brain axis and probiotics in Parkinson’s’ – Autumn 2023 Online Research Event
In October 2023, we held our Autumn Online Research Event. This event featured 3 experts in Parkinson’s research who gave thought provoking presentations. The audience of over 70 participated fully by asking lots of questions which the speakers, Dr Lynne Barker, Dr Maria Doitsidou and Professor K Ray Chaudhuri, happily answered.
The speakers and topics were:
Dr Lynne Barker (Sheffield Hallam): ‘Microbiome-gut-brain axis and Parkinson’s disease: What have we learned so far?’
Dr Maria Doitsidou (Edinburgh): ‘ Probiotic Bacillus subtilis in Parkinson’s: Clues from basic research’.
Prof Ray Chaudhuri (King’s, London): Gut microbiota and probiotic use in PD ?
Recording link: If you missed the event, you can find the recording here.
The 11th Annual Research Forum October 2022
The 11th Annual Research Forum was held on Saturday 8th October 2022. As our first in person event since 2019, a recording is not available of this forum. However, PEMRIG Volunteer Martin Rumsby has written a report on the event which can be accessed here. If you have any questions about any of our events, please contact John Turner, by email Pemrig.uk@gmail.com.
We welcomed a variety of speakers who focused on topics covering the theme of Living Well With Parkinson’s. A list of speakers and their talk titles are below. Click on the talk title to download a copy of the presentation.
- Professor David Dexter (Associate Director of Research, Parkinson’s UK) – Research with the greatest potential to transform life for people with Parkinson’s
- Dr Janet Shipton – Painting with Mr P: An artist’s perspective of living with Parkinson’s
- Professor Lisa Chakrabarti (Professor of Mitochondrial Biology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham) – What’s different about cell energy in Parkinson’s? Searching for a fix
- Caroline Bartliff (Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, Derbyshire Community Health Services) – Communication, speech and swallowing in Parkinson’s
- Anthony Blackburn (Founder, Golf in Society), David Thornton (Ambassador for Golf in Society) – Why everyone living with Parkinson’s should discover golf and Golf – the perfect Parkinson’s exercise.
- Lance Sullen & Claire Sullen (Mindfulness Leicester) – Keeping the body in mind by accepting the gift of the present moment.
Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing in Parkinson’s
Spring 2022 Online Research Event
In May 2022, we held our successful Spring 2022 Online Research Event. The main focus of this meeting was on Improving Mental Health and Wellbeing in Parkinson’s and included useful talks on psychological therapies, the benefits of music and practical ideas for improving wellbeing. The meeting was recorded and you can watch this back in the YouTube video below.
Our speakers included:
- 00:04:41 Professor Jane Simpson, Lancaster University, ‘Psychological Therapies for people affected by Parkinson’s’
- 00:39:35 Dr Becky Dowson, University of Nottingham, ‘Music and singing for people living with dementia, Parkinson’s and their carers’
- 01:12:30 Vanessa King, Action for Happiness, ‘Practical Science-based Ideas to Sustain and Boost Wellbeing for People with Parkinson’s and their families’
Research Interest Group Forums November 2021
There have been three very interesting RIG Forums in November. Click the links to view each talk here:
November 23rd 15.00-16.30h ‘Can genetic factors predict cognitive decline in Parkinson’s?‘ A talk dealing with genetic and epigenetic markers for cognitive decline in Parkinson’s.
November 27th 10.00-15.00h ‘Drug and non-drug therapies’. Join the group as they host six keynote speakers covering all aspects of drug and non-drug therapies for Parkinson’s.
November 29th 11.00 – 12.30 ‘ From the lab to the living room’. Simon Stott discusses general Parkinson’s research updates and what to look out for in 2022, with a particular focus and emphasis on drug repurposing trials. To access the recording use passcode: y+OT5MN2.
10th Annual Research Online Forum October 2021
The 10th annual conference was hugely successful with over 88 attendees logging in to hear our speakers.
Programme Autumn 2021
Presentations were delivered by Dr Heather Mortiboys, Dr Simon Stott, Prof. David Dexter, and Dr Perdita Barran.
Prof. David Dexter
Using technology to accelerate Parkinson’s research
Dr Heather Mortiboys
Could the cells energy be the key to Parkinson’s for all people with Parkinson’s?
Dr Perdita Barran
Getting under the surface of Parkinson’s Disease: Metabolomics and Diagnostics from swabbing skin
Dr Simon Stott
Bile, Bluerock, Bayer & Bial
PEMRIG volunteer Martin has written a summary report of our 10th Annual Conference, which is available to download here.
If you have any questions about any of our events, please contact John Turner, by email Pemrig.uk@gmail.com
Acknowledgement
All events continue to be subsidised by local branches and Parkinson’s UK The Parkinson’s UK East Midlands Research Interest Group is very grateful for funding for this Forum from local branches of Parkinson’s UK, as well as money given in memoriam from some special people from the Derby Branch who had an interest in research.
The Derby Symposium
A recording to this symposium is available here and use passcode: +P7EYL#e. Join Parkinson’s specialist staff from University Hospitals Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust for an inspiring two hour forum from 15th November 2021. Guest speakers included Jonny Acheson, a consultant in emergency medicine and artist, who shared his personal experience of living with Parkinson’s.
The Spring 2021 Online Research Event
We are pleased to share with you the online recording of the Spring Event on YouTube. Here is the link to the recording of the event which was held online on 17th April 2021:
A copy of the presentations are available by clicking the download buttons below:
Dr Bhanu Ramaswamy OBE
A focus on exercise for people with Parkinson’s
Dr Rob Skelly
Investigating the benefits of physiotherapy at different stages of Parkinson’s
Dr Jennifer Foley
Mental Health in Parkinson’s
9th Annual East Midlands
Parkinson’s Research Forum
I am delighted to let you know that PEMRIG has added a recording of the 9th Annual East Midlands Research Forum to YouTube. Here is the link to the recording of the event which was held online on 10th October 2020:
The event featured talks from the experts in Parkinson’s research. The speakers included:
00:02:50 – Prof David Dexter, Parkinson’s UK: ‘2020-2024 Research strategy uncovered’
00:27:54 – Dr Heather Mortiboys, Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience (SITraN): ‘Could energy be the key to Parkinson’s?’
01:03:40 – Dr Simon Stott, Cure Parkinson’s Trust: ‘Monsters, mucus, and more – Parkinson’s research in 2020/2021’
PEMRIG 