Dr Daniel Boulton
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Post-doctoral research fellow
Conjoint post-doctoral researcher at UNSW, School of Medical Sciences
Adjunct post-doctoral researcher at WSU, School of Medicine
9399 1882
Daniel is an early career researcher with a strong background in exercise physiology. After receiving an Academic Excellence Scholarship (Western Sydney University/WSU), he was listed on the Dean’s Merit List (Top 2% across the School of Science and Health, WSU). Following this, he was awarded both the University Medal and Dean’s Medal for excellence in research and education for his achievements in his Honours and undergraduate degree (Sport and Exercise Science). During his honours and PhD (completed 2016), he developed original techniques and protocols to measure and analyse muscle sympathetic nerve activity to contracting skeletal muscle – a difficult and substantial achievement given the challenges associated with microneurography. Previously, Daniel has performed studies using MSNA-fMRI coupling to investigate cortical and subcortical responses to voluntary exercise, experimental pain, hypertension, mental stress and migraines.
Alongside Dr Alex Burton, Daniel is investigating autonomic function in chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and has the distinction of being the first microneurographer to record muscle sympathetic nerve activity in CFS. Additionally, Alex and Daniel are investigating the effects of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation in CFS symptomatology.
Projects Dr Daniel Boulton is currently involved with
CURRENT PROJECTS
The role of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in chronic fatigue syndrome symptomatology, supported
The mechanisms underlying the debilitating CFS are poorly understood. Autonomic symptoms are key in diagnosing CFS, yet the specific role of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) in CFS remains elusive. Dysfunction of the SNS manifests in the very symptoms often displayed in CFS, yet to date, its activity has not been directly assessed in CFS. For the first time, we will use the innovative and specialised technique of microneurography to definitively define and directly measure sympathetic activity in CFS. This will deepen our understanding of the role of the SNS in CFS symptoms.
READ MORE
The role of muscle sympathetic nerve activity in chronic fatigue syndrome symptomatology, supported by Mason Foundation
RESEARCH TEAM
LUKE HENDERSON Assoc Prof
