Dr James Shine

University of Sydney, NSW
Rotary Club of Parkes
Parkinson’s Disease 2011
James (better known by his nickname, “Mac”) is an enthusiastic and commited young researcher who is currently using the exciting tool of functional MRI to explore a common yet complex condition known as freezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson’s Disease. After graduating from Fort Street High School in 2003, Mac attended The University of Sydney where he completed a Bachelor of Science in Advanced Biochemistry in 2003.

Following this degree, he began studying Medicine (also at the University of Sydney) in order to better understand the human body while at the same time to interact with people from all walks of life. After completing his medical residency at Concord Hospital in 2009, Mac decided to follow his passion and enrolled as a PhD student under the tutelage of Dr Simon Lewis and the Brain and Mind Research Institute. He is fascinated by the way that the intricate, microscopic inner workings of the brain co-ordinate their activity to produce our subjective inner world. In his spare time, Mac is a keen sportsman (playing American Football and Soccer), a drummer and an avid fan of literature.

SUMMARY OF PROJECT:
Identifying the pathophysiology and neural correlates of Freezing of Gait in Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s Disease (PD) imposes a major health burden, primarily due to an escalating risk of nursing home placement as the condition progresses. Most of these placements are due to falls, most commonly caused by a condition known as “freezing of gait” (FOG). Patients experiencing this symptom feel as though their legs are “stuck to the ground”, often causing a loss of balance.

Despite this obvious link between FOG and falls, the underlying causes of FOG remain poorly understood. To remedy this gap in understanding, we have developed an experimental protocol (centred on a virtual-reality based computer game) that reliably produces the symptoms of FOG in PD sufferers. Through the use of functional magnetic resonance imaging, I propose to identify specific patterns of brain activation in patients as they suffer from a freezing episode.

By clarifying the underlying neural causes for FOG, this research will suggest possible avenues for novel therapies.