Recruiting Now
Recruiting Now - Students
Theory of Mind in Parkinson's Disease PhD Project Outline
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a debilitating neurodegenerative disease caused by dopamine depletion in the brain. Its cardinal characteristic is motor dysfunction (e.g., tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability) but research also shows that it has deleterious effects on cognitive functioning. The Parkinson’s Centre (ParkC) based at Edith Cowan University, Joondalup Campus aims to improve the diagnosis, care, wellbeing and quality of life for people with PD. Accordingly, the centre is currently investigating the motor and cognitive profiles of the disorder and intends to extend the line of research that suggests that PD consists of a group of related disorders which have overlapping symptoms but which can be segregated into distinct subtypes. To this end, ParkC is establishing a cohort of patients with Parkinson’s in Western Australia which will be followed longitudinally.
One of the questions that remains unanswered about this disorder pertains to the social cognition domain. Community, personal and/or family adjustment might be greatly influenced by the person with PD’s ability to interact with other people and infer their intentions. The construct of Theory of Mind (ToM) encapsulates these crucial skills. ToM refers to the ability to make inferences about other people’s mental states including intentions, feelings, emotions and beliefs. If the inferences relate to other people’s beliefs, it is said that the observer is engaging in cognitive ToM, whereas if the inferences relate to emotions or feelings, it is said that the observer is engaging in affective ToM.
There is a paucity of research on the relationship between PD and ToM. The scarce information available seems to suggest some weaknesses, but the exact nature (if any) of these weaknesses has not been established with sufficient academic rigour. Thus, the potential PhD student is invited to work in conjunction with ParkC addressing the following (though not being limited to) potential questions:
- Is there a weakness of ToM in PD?
- Are ToM abilities in PD correlated with cognitive abilities?
- Are ToM abilities specifically related to executive functioning?
- Is there a differential performance on cognitive ToM and affective ToM abilities in PD?
- Do ToM abilities have any predictive value in the course of PD?
- Do ToM abilities correlate with different subtypes of PD?
- Is quality of life in PD impacted by possible poor ToM abilities?
The PhD candidate would be expected to address these research questions and will have access to the neuropsychological profiles and demographic information of the persons with PD already recruited by ParkC. If you are planning to enroll in a PhD program at ECU and are interested in this specific project please contact:
Dr Rodrigo Becerra
r.becerra@ecu.edu.au
Lecturer in Psychology
School of Psychology and Social Science (Room 30.129)
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
Edith Cowan University,
270 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup
Perth, WA 6027, Australia
(08) 6304 2786
Surgical NeuroTranslational Laboratory PhD Project Outline
The engineering of stem cells to replace degenerated neurons in the brain is a feasible treatment strategy for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
This project focuses on the delivery and differentiation of pluripotent cells into dopaminergic neurons in animal models of Parkinson’s disease. The project reflects an exciting new collaboration between neuroscientist Dr Meghan Thomas and neurosurgeon Mr Christopher Lind who will act as your joint supervisors. Their combined expertise and research backgrounds have ensured that the approach of this project is unique and clinically relevant. Our vision is for the rapid translational research in neuroscience.
You will have a central role in this vibrant new team of researchers investigating procedures to enhance the delivery, dopaminergic neural differentiation, dispersement and integration of cells delivered to the Putamen. In particular, you will work alongside neurosurgical colleagues perfecting the surgical delivery systems for cell implantation and convection-enhanced delivery of chemoagents and differentiation factors.
To achieve this you will be a member of the Parkinson’s Centre (ParkC) which operates within the Vario Health Institute, which is the first institute of its kind at an Australian University bringing together an expert team of researchers committed to improving community health and wellbeing. In partnership with national and international networks, it enhances collaboration and promotes a holistic approach to health and lifestyle. In addition you will be part of the Surgical NeuroDiscovery Group of the Centre for Neuromuscular and Neurological Disorders, UWA and the Western Australian Neurosurgical Service at the QE II Medical Centre. This is one of Australia’s leading academic functional neurosurgery groups (see www.neurofinity.org/).
Please contact Dr Meghan Thomas for further information.
Recruiting Now - Research Participants
Would You Like to Participate?
Cognition and Exercise Research Studies
The Parkinson’s Centre (ParkC) is currently conducting a number of
research projects and needs your help...
Our Research Projects
- Investigating if there are different
subtypes of Parkinson’s, and if so, how this can influence
treatment.
We will study patterns of thinking and memory (cognition), mood, and motor symptoms and how they vary between individuals with Parkinson’s.
- Investigating the potential benefits
of exercise for people with Parkinson’s and developing
tailored exercise programs for people with Parkinson’s.
We will work with Edith Cowan University’s Vario Health Institute conducting exercise programs studying health and wellness. The Vario Health Institute is renowned for its exercise clinic which has state of the art equipment and is run by world class exercise physiologists!
If you would like to register your interest to participate or you would like further information, please contact ParkC on (08) 6304 3560 or email ParkC@ecu.edu.au
