Print versionNews archive 2008
Safra lecture: Parkinson’s cutting-edge research
08 May 2008, PR 85/08
The annual Edmond J. Safra Memorial Lecture, Exploring cutting-edge research on Parkinson’s disease took place at King's last night. It was given by Miguel Nicolelis, Professor of Neuroscience at Duke University; USA, and David Brooks, Hartnett Professor of Neurology, Imperial College London. This memorial lecture, highlighting frontline advances in research into Parkinson's disease is an annual event at King's. The lecture honours the late Mr Edmond J. Safra, philanthropist and financier, and his widow, Mrs Lily Safra FKC, who recently made a generous gift to support research being undertaken at the College into the causes of Parkinson's.
Miguel Nicolelis, is the Anne W. Deane Professor of Neuroscience, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering and Psychology at Duke University. He is also Co-Director of the Duke Center for Neuroengineering and Co-Founder and Scientific Director of the Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute for Neuroscience of Natal (Brazil).
He is best known for his study of Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMI) for neuroprosthetics in (enabling control of robotic limbs through thought alone).
Professor Nicolelis’ talk focused on the latest advances in neuroprosthetics, showing how we could use brain signals to control robot arms and legs, including the latest experiments involving real-time control of a bipedal robot in Japan. He also discussed a new therapeutic approach for treating Parkinson's main motor signs and symptoms.
David Brooks is Hartnett Professor of Neurology in the Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, and Head of the Neurology Group at the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre in Hammersmith Hospital, London. He is also Head of Neurology in Medical Diagnostics, GE Healthcare.
Professor Brookes' research involves the use of positron emission tomography and magnetic resonance imaging to study cerebral control of movement in health and disease, and the performance of therapeutic trials in Parkinson's disease.
At the lecture Professor Brookes discussed topics such as approaches to neuroprotection and restoration in Parkinson's disease, advances in understanding motor complications of Parkinson, and the relationship between Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
[Photo by Grey Funnell]
Notes to editors
King's College London
King's College London is one of the top 25 universities in the world (Times Higher 2007) and the fourth oldest in England. A research-led university based in the heart of London, King's has 19,300 students from more than 130 countries, and 5,000 employees. King's has an outstanding reputation for providing world-class teaching and cutting-edge research. The College is in the top group of UK universities for research earnings and has an annual income of approximately £400 million. An investment of £500 million has been made in the redevelopment of its estate.
King's has a particularly distinguished reputation in the humanities, law, social sciences, the health sciences, natural sciences and engineering, and has played a major role in many of the advances that have shaped modern life, such as the discovery of the structure of DNA. It is the largest centre for the education of healthcare professionals in Europe and is home to five Medical Research Council Centres – more than any other university.
King's College London and Guy's and St Thomas', King's College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts are working together to create the UK's largest Academic Health Science Centre (AHSC). The AHSC will bring together the widest range of clinical and research expertise in the UK – strengths that will be used to drive improvements in care for patients, allowing them to benefit from breakthroughs in medical science and receive leading edge treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.
For further information visit http://www.londonsahsc.org
Further information
Katherine Moore, Public Relations Officer (Health Schools)
Public Relations Department
Email: kate.moore@kcl.ac.uk
Tel: 020 7848 4334
Next:
Review of the King's year
King’s shows way for London Leaders
2008 RAE results
£1.5m to study symmetries of the universe
Honorary recognition for King’s
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“Rotten eggs” therapy for hypertension
Rowing for Olympic Gold
British Museum and King's collaboration
New Fellows elected to Academy of Medical Sciences
First genome-wide scan for osteoporosis
This information is provided by the Public Relations Department
Tel: 020-7848 3202 Fax: 020-7848 3739 Email: pr@kcl.ac.uk
