Lincoln and District Parkinsons Group

I am very honoured to have been invited to be  Branch President for the Lincoln and District Branch of Parkinsons UK for 2017-18.

I have been working with members of the local group over the last 4 years investigating the control of eye movements in Parkinsons. This has been a long standing research interest off and on since my days as a post-doctoral research fellow at Charing Cross Hospital in London.

Parkinson's diseaseOur research has shown that there is a particular “marker” of Parkinsons in eye movements, namely “multi-stepping” or jerkiness of eye movements measurable under certain conditions with a computerised eye tracker. In other situations some people with Parkinsons appear to be slightly more distractable and not organise eye movements as efficiently as healthy people when carrying out problem solving and memory tasks.

parkinsons saccades
Multistepping saccades

The research has potential in the future to help in the early diagnosis of Parkinsons, the assessment of cognitive impairments in Parkinsons as well as helping people with Parkinsons understand the subtle ways in which the condition might affect them beyond the obvious symptoms seen in other sort of movement.

I’ve also observed that People with Parkinson are extra-ordinarily nice and generous people with an enthusiasm for research. I continue to do whatever I can in my own little way to go the extra mile (or 20!) to support them, so I was very pleased to accept the appointment as Branch President. I am looking forward to meeting established and new members at the Annual General Meeting next month in Bracebridge Heath and giving a short update on recent research.

4 thoughts on “Lincoln and District Parkinsons Group

  1. This sounds like a great honour – congratulations! The people I’ve met from the Greater Manchester branches are also extra-ordinarily nice. Many have given me a much deeper insight into the condition that I’d ever anticipated, and it’s a privilege to get to work with them.

    • Thanks Jade. Must have a full up date on what you’re up to. I’m scheduled to be on study leave in 2017-18 so maybe I can come and see you and Ellen at Manchester Uni for a few days to talk about Parkinsons.

  2. I am really pleased you have accepted the invite for the position of branch president and although I am unable to attend our AGM, I am confident the position will go to you. There is no one more qualifed than you. And as said when we last spoke at our last meeting I am more than happy to go through all the assessments again after my DBS operation has taken place and I have recovered from from the treatment.

    Kindest regards Karen.

    • Thanks Karen,
      Good luck with your DBS and let me know how it goes.
      best wishes
      Tim

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