Parkinson’s disease, a common neurodegenerative disorder, occurs when certain cells in the brain that control movement die. Why these brain cells die while other ostensibly similar brain cells survive is, however, is not understood. Our research aims to understand why selected brain cells are vulnerable to death in Parkinson’s disease so that we can develop ways to improve the survival of these cells and thus prevent Parkinson’s disease. We are also developing improved diagnostic methods for Parkinson’s disease and researching how damage to the brain can be restored using stem cell-based approaches.
Associate Professor Kay Double is a Principal Research Fellow and NHMRC Senior Research Fellow heading a research group investigating the neurochemistry of neurodegenerative disorders, with a particular focus on Parkinson’s disease. Her research aims to understand why only certain selective neurons are vulnerable to these diseases. She has strong interests in developing improved diagnostic methods for neurodegenerative diseases and understanding the regulation of stem cells in the healthy and diseased brain. Assoc Prof Double teaches at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the University New South Wales and hosts Australian and international undergraduate and graduate students completing research projects in her laboratory. She has extensive national and international collaborations and also teaches at the University of Würzburg, Germany where she holds the postdoctoral degree of the Habilitation.
Copper changes in Parkinson’s diseaseCopper is essential for brain health and too much, or too little copper, in the human brain is associated with serious neurodegenerative conditions. |
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Differential expression of proteins in the human brainThe selective degeneration of A9 dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) in Parkinson’s disease is well recognised while other dopaminergic cells, such as those found in the |
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Neurogenesis in healthy ageingNew neuron birth, or neurogenesis, continues in the subventricular zone and dentate gyrus of adult brain. This process has been linked with memory, anxiety, addiction and olfaction. |
Regulation of tyrosine hydroxylaseWe are investigating how the enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme for dopamine production, is regulated in the healthy brain and how this is changed in Parkinson's disease. |
Sex steroids and the modulation of dopamine cell vulnerabilityThis project is suitable for an ILP, Honours or PhD project. Contact Assoc Prof Double for more information. |
The neurochemistry of dopamine in cell vulnerabilityOne of the characteristic features of the vulnerable neurons in Parkinson’s disease is that they contain dopamine, a neurotransmitter known to convey a high oxidative load upon cells due to its cap |
Ultrasound imaging in Parkinson’s diseaseCurrent imaging techniques to support a diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, such as PET and MRI, are expensive and difficult to access. |
