We are so very delighted to share that the UK PD-CSG now has 100 members! This milestone reflects our growing diversity and the increased representation of the range of individuals involved in Parkinson's Disease, Multiple System Atrophy, and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy research.
Our network now spans England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, covering all CRN regions and 33 counties. We have also expanded from an initial group of 10 neurologists to a professionally diverse group including GPs, PD specialist nurses, psychiatrists, clinical fellows, and people with Parkinson's! We can see the positive impact this has had on our group, with an increase in expertise and perspectives resulting in even more valuable discussions at our regular meetings.
Each year on World Parkinson's Day, the Parkinson's community comes together in an international campaign to raise awareness of Parkinson's.
In 2024, we shared a number of our key aims, and what we are doing to achieve them.
Flick through the images for more information:
Our Coordinator, Emma Davies, presented at the British Geriatrics Society Movement Disorders Special Interest Group. Please see the poster and presentation below
The UK PD-CSG and our Document Development Working Group have produced Clinical Trials Costing Guidance for Parkinson's Disease.
The document will assist the Life Sciences industry and lead study sites to determine accurate timings and costings in relation to common activities conducted within clinical trials. The document details Parkinson's specific considerations that must be accounted for. This is to ensure that the sites delivering the research are paid appropriately for the activity they undertake.
With the implementation of the National Contract Value Review programme, it's now even more essential that the lead sites provide accurate costings on behalf of all participating sites within commercial clinical trials.
We are eager to engage further with Parkinson's Specialist Nurses to support them in supporting clinical research.
We have built strong links with the Parkinson's Disease Nursing Specialist Association and would be extremely keen to hear from it's members.
Interested PDNSA Members, please click here to view our membership process.
Our Coordinator, Emma, presented at the Neurology Academy Parkinson's Advanced Master Class, informing the delegates about Parkinson's Clinical Research and the UK PD-CSG.
The delegates fed back that it was a very useful to know about this support, especially for those not in traditionally research-rich areas.
We hope to continue to build on our links with the Neurology Academy to continue to engage more people in clinical research.
Watch the full talk here or click on the above image: https://vimeo.com/895773192/a955e72aa7?share=copy
Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester visited SITraN to see the pioneering Parkinsons research taking place.
After visiting @MortiboysLab, we spoke to HRH about the UP clinical trial & the UK PD-CSG; showcasing the bench to bedside approach.
Listen to Emma, our Coordinator, discuss the UK PD-CSG main aims, activities and exciting progress to date!
World Parkinson's Day 2023 marked 1 year since the UK PD-CSG launch. As a national group, we continue to bring together the expertise & enthusiasm of professionals passionate about Parkinsons Research to drive discoveries forward.
It was a pleasure to attend the ABN MovDis SIG meeting in January. The day was filled with informative talks and vibrant discussions. It was great to meet so many of our CSG members in person. Professor Oliver Bandmann gave a talk on the UK PD-CSG, progress made and future plans.
Over the 12 Days of Christmas, we shared one study every day ! These included a selection of:
New studies being developed and aiming to start recruitment very soon
Active studies that are active and being conducted now
Completed studies that have finished and the results are in
Flick through the studies below or visit our Twitter Page here.
The Sheffield branch of Parkinson's UK teamed up with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre to facilitate a Parkinson's Awareness Day. The event was led by Dr Bhanu Ramaswamy, a Physiotherapist Consultant. Our coordinator, Emma Davies, attended the event and spoke at several sessions about the exciting Parkinson's research currently taking place across the UK.
Broadcaster, Jeremy Paxman, has released an ITV documentary about what "putting up with Parkinson's" is like for him. Paxman announced his diagnosis of Parkinson's 18 months prior to the release of the documentary. It shows an honest insight into the life of someone with Parkinson's and touches of some key progressions within the field of research.
Watch the documentary here
The results of the UP Study, led by Prof Bandmann exploring Ursodeoxycholic (UDCA) Acid in people with Parkinson's have been shared. Participants were randomly assigned into the UDCA or placebo group. UDCA is a drug previously used to treat liver disease. It was chosen from a screen of over 2000 drugs because of its potential to rescue the function of the powerhouse of the cell, mitochondria. The study found:
UDCA is safe and well tolerated in people with Parkinson's
UDCA had a promising impact on walking
Brain scans showed that UDCA reached the target area of the brain
Read more here
Read the full journal article here
Over the past few months, we have been recruiting new Patient and Public Representative Members into the UK PD-CSG.
We now have a total of four PPI Representative Members and a further PPI/ R&D Adviser member. It's great to have them onboard!
On Friday 27th May we held our first UK PD-CSG Meeting!
The regular meetings bring together expertise from across the UK to drive forward Parkinson's Clinical Research. Focus studies were discussed in depth and other studies were highlighted.
The UK PD-CSG wheels are officially in motion!
Listen to our Group Lead, Professor Oliver Bandmann, and our Coordinator, Emma Davies, chat and answer questions from Cure Parkinson's about the UK PD-CSG, what we hope to achieve, our objectives and more.
Watch the interview here
The University of Sheffield share a Press Releases about the launch of the UK PD-CSG.
Read more here
The NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre share a Press Releases about the launch of the UK PD-CSG.
Read more here
In April 2022 on World Parkinson's Day, we were pleased to announce the launch of our new website which we hope will be a hub of information for people interested in Parkinson's Clinical Research across the UK. Professor Oliver Bandmann, Group Lead, and Emma Davies, Group Coordinator, speak about the launch, their excitement and the aspirations of the group.