The Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation Clinical Research Group in the School of Clinical Medicine develops methods for early diagnosis and treatment for neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory conditions that affect both peripheral and central nervous systems.
With a strong clinical focus on developing new methods for early diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders, the Neurodegeneration and Neuroinflammation Clinical Research Group is committed to improving patient outcomes for these conditions worldwide.
Our goals
Our multidisciplinary research program aims to improve the detection, monitoring and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. We investigate conditions of major global significance, including dementia, mild cognitive impairment, subjective cognitive decline, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and peripheral neuropathies associated with diabetes, kidney disease, cancer and genetic neurological disorders.
Our patient-centred team brings together expertise in neurology, neurophysiology, vision science, metabolic medicine, mathematical modelling and artificial intelligence. We develop and validate novel biomarkers of neurodegeneration using advanced techniques including corneal confocal microscopy, nerve ultrasound, axonal excitability studies and biomarker analysis.
In central nervous system disorders, our research focuses on healthy ageing, cognitive decline and multiple sclerosis. We are investigating whether ocular biomarkers can provide an early and accessible window into brain health and cognitive function, and we are examining the effects of immunomodulatory therapies on neuroimmune responses in multiple sclerosis.
In peripheral nerve disorders, we examine mechanisms of nerve injury and repair in diabetes, chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, connective tissue disease, genetic neuropathies and amyloidosis. Our work has identified potential neuroprotective benefits of commonly used metabolic therapies and is advancing new methods for early detection of nerve damage.
A growing focus of our program is the application of explainable artificial intelligence to integrate imaging, electrophysiological and immune biomarkers, with the goal of enabling earlier diagnosis, more accurate disease monitoring and precision approaches to neurological care.
Research strengths
- Neurophysiology and nerve excitability assessment.
- Corneal confocal microscopy and tear neuropeptide assays.
- Peripheral nerve ultrasound.
Our results
- Clinical trial demonstrating a neuroprotective effect of dietary potassium restriction in kidney disease.
- Observational study demonstrating that glucagon-peptide 1 receptor agonists and metformin may be potential treatments for this condition and discovery of diagnostic role of nerve ultrasound in diabetic neuropathy.
- Clinical trial demonstrating benefit of potassium channel blockers on walking distance in multiple sclerosis.
- Clinical study demonstrating that diabetic neuropathy can influence both the corneal nerves and the neuropeptides they release into the tear film.
- Clinical study demonstrating that the neurotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs are also evident in the cornea and tear film.
