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Dr Rob Adam
Dr

Rob Adam

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 334 66081

Overview

Background

Dr. Robert James Adam MA(Cantab) MBBS (London) PhD(UCL) FRACP FRCP (London)

Behavioural neurologist with interests in cognition and movement disorders. Clinical lead for deep brain stimulation at The Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital, Senior Lecturer and Clinical Trials Specialist at UQCCR.

Movement disorders and advanced Parkinson's clinics in addition to Statewide Huntington's Disease, Friedreich's Ataxia and Metro North Deep Brain Stimulation services https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/news/deep-brain-stimulation-parkinsons. Young onset dementia clinic at STARS https://metronorth.health.qld.gov.au/stars/.

Principal investigator in 2 Phase 1b/2a clinical trials of novel antisense oligonucleotides for Huntington's Disease, PRECISION-HD1 & 2 and their open label extensions. I am part of a nationwide and statewide effort to investigate drug repurposing - particularly in Parkinson's Disease. I collaborate widely in investigator led research with both clinical scientists, basic scientists and allied health practioners both at UQ and beyond. Former research officer in PISA (Prospective Imaging Study of Aging) https://www.qimrberghofer.edu.au/pisa/ and the clinical lead for ADNet in QLD. ADNet is an NHMRC funded project to screen and register patients with cognitive impairment https://www.australiandementianetwork.org.au/.

I was trained in the US (NYU Medical Centre), UK (National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery in Queen Square, UCLH, Cambridge University Hospitals) and Australia (Royal North Shore and Westmead Hospitals, Sydney). My PhD (UCL 2014) Thesis, "Dopamine and Oculomotor Decisions In Health & Disease", investigated the use of eye movement recordings during behavioral tasks to monitor decision making in patients with focal lesions, Parkinson's disease, impulse control disorders and healthy volunteers both under the influence and without the effects of dopaminergic modulators. I teach both medical undergraduates and graduates, supervise higher degree candidates and have written chapters in medical textbooks.

Availability

Dr Rob Adam is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Neuroscience, University of Cambridge
  • Bachelor (Honours) of Medicine, University College London
  • Doctor of Philosophy of Neuroscience, University College London
  • Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
  • Fellow, Royal College of Physicians of London, Royal College of Physicians of London

Research interests

  • Cognitive Neurology

  • Movement Disorders

  • Parkinson's Disease

  • Tremor

  • Dementia

  • Alzheimer's Disease

  • Huntington's Disease

Research impacts

Research on biomarkers (PISA study & ADNet) may allow the early identification of "at risk" patients prior to the onset of neurodegenerative disease, thus provding a valuable "window" for intervention.

At the other end of the research spectrum, drug repurposing may discover new benefits of treatments (traditionally used in other disease entitities) for conditions that currently lack disease modifying therapies.

By engaging with community groups (e.g. HD QLD) and industry, we enable our patients to become involved in studies ranging from basic science and fundamental studies of brain function to pharmaceurtical trials of novel investigational agents.

Works

Search Professor Rob Adam’s works on UQ eSpace

41 works between 2007 and 2025

21 - 40 of 41 works

2020

Conference Publication

Therapy to Reduce dementia risk In Parkinson’s disease (TRIP): proof-of-concept protocol

Pourzinal, D., Bakker, A., Byrne, G. J., McMahon, K., O'Sullivan, J., Adam, R., Copland, D., Yang, J. H. J., Au, T., Littleford, R., Chatfield, M., Pontone, G., Mari, Z. and Dissanayaka, N. (2020). Therapy to Reduce dementia risk In Parkinson’s disease (TRIP): proof-of-concept protocol. UQ Faculty of Medicine Higher Degree by Research Student Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 23-27 November 2020.

Therapy to Reduce dementia risk In Parkinson’s disease (TRIP): proof-of-concept protocol

2020

Journal Article

A prospective cohort study of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease: Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing: genes, brain and behaviour (PISA)

Lupton, Michelle K., Robinson, Gail A., Adam, Robert J, Rose, Stephen, Byrne, Gerard J., Salvado, Olivier, Pachana, Nancy A., Almeida, Osvaldo P., McAloney, Kerrie, Gordon, Scott D., Raniga, Parnesh, Fazlollahi, Amir, Xia, Ying, Ceslis, Amelia, Sonkusare, Saurabh, Zhang, Qing, Kholghi, Mahnoosh, Karunanithi, Mohan, Mosley, Philip E., Lv, Jinglei, Borne, Léonie, Adsett, Jessica, Garden, Natalie, Fripp, Jurgen, Martin, Nicholas G., Guo, Christine C. and Breakspear, Michael (2020). A prospective cohort study of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease: Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing: genes, brain and behaviour (PISA). NeuroImage: Clinical, 29 102527, 102527. doi: 10.1016/j.nicl.2020.102527

A prospective cohort study of prodromal Alzheimer’s disease: Prospective Imaging Study of Ageing: genes, brain and behaviour (PISA)

2020

Conference Publication

Improving diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: IDATA-PD study update

Dissanayaka, N., Byrne, G. J., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D., Padmassini, A., White, E. X., Yang, J. H. J., Forbes, E., Thangavelu, K., Au, T., Lehn, A., Adam, R. and Pachana, N. A. (2020). Improving diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: IDATA-PD study update. Herston Health Precinct Symposium 2020, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 7-11 December 2020.

Improving diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: IDATA-PD study update

2020

Journal Article

Muddying the waters? A false positive case of autoimmune psychosis

Ketheesan, Sarangan, Bertram, Georgia, Adam, Robert, Stark, Anne and Scott, James G. (2020). Muddying the waters? A false positive case of autoimmune psychosis. Australasian Psychiatry, 29 (3) 1039856220965041, 1039856220965041-281. doi: 10.1177/1039856220965041

Muddying the waters? A false positive case of autoimmune psychosis

2020

Journal Article

Differential patterns of internally generated responses in parkinsonian disorders

Tjokrowijoto, Priscilla, Ceslis, Amelia, O'Sullivan, John D., Adam, Robert, Mellick, George, Silburn, Peter and Robinson, Gail A. (2020). Differential patterns of internally generated responses in parkinsonian disorders. Neuropsychologia, 146 107569, 107569. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2020.107569

Differential patterns of internally generated responses in parkinsonian disorders

2020

Book Chapter

Neurology

Adam, Robert, Marshall, Charles and Birns, Jonathan (2020). Neurology. In Rupa Bessant, Jonathan Birns and Charlotte Ford (Ed.), Medicine for MRCP (pp. Unknown-Unknown) Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.

Neurology

2020

Conference Publication

Therapy to Reduce dementia risk In Parkinson’s disease (TRIP): Proof-of-concept protocol

Pourzinal, D., Bakker, A., Byrne, G., McMahon, K.L., O'Sullivan, J.D., Adam, R., Lehn, A., Copland, D., Yang, J.H., Au, T., Littleford, R., Chatfield, M., Pontone, G., Mari, Z. and Dissanayaka, N.N.W. (2020). Therapy to Reduce dementia risk In Parkinson’s disease (TRIP): Proof-of-concept protocol. Macquarie University BioNetwork 3rd Annual Research Symposium on Dementia, Online, 14-15 September 2020.

Therapy to Reduce dementia risk In Parkinson’s disease (TRIP): Proof-of-concept protocol

2018

Journal Article

Energization and spoken language production: evidence from progressive supranuclear palsy

Barker, Megan S., Nelson, Nicole L., O'Sullivan, John D., Adam, Robert and Robinson, Gail A. (2018). Energization and spoken language production: evidence from progressive supranuclear palsy. Neuropsychologia, 119, 349-362. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.09.004

Energization and spoken language production: evidence from progressive supranuclear palsy

2017

Journal Article

Impulsivity and rapid decision-making for reward

Heyes, Stephanie Burnett, Adam, Robert J., Urner, Maren, van der Leer, Leslie, Bahrami, Bahador, Bays, Paul M. and Husain, Masud (2017). Impulsivity and rapid decision-making for reward. Frontiers in Psychology, 3 (MAY) Article 153. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2012.00153

Impulsivity and rapid decision-making for reward

2016

Journal Article

Neurophysiological features Of Hemiballism

Tai, Yi-cheng, Yin, Yun Wo Katie, Ha, Ainhi D., Adam, Robert, Mahant, Neil, Sue, Carolyn M. and Fung, Victor S. C. (2016). Neurophysiological features Of Hemiballism. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, 4 (1), 116-120. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.12356

Neurophysiological features Of Hemiballism

2016

Conference Publication

2. Antecollis associated with Parkinson’s disease improved following apomorphine therapy

Yin, Y.W.K., Chang, F.C.F., Mahant, N., Fung, V.S.C., Tsui, D., Aldaajani, Z., Adam, R. and Hely, M. (2016). 2. Antecollis associated with Parkinson’s disease improved following apomorphine therapy. Proceedings of the 16th Biennial Clinical Neurophysiology Workshop of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 27–30 September, 2015. Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2015.11.022

2. Antecollis associated with Parkinson’s disease improved following apomorphine therapy

2015

Journal Article

Experience from two decades of the Cambridge Rapid Access Neurology Clinic

Axinte, Laura T., Fiddes, Barnaby D., Donaghy, Alastair, Whyte, Adam, Allen, Chris, Sawcer, Stephen, Adam, Robert J. and Stacpoole, Sybil R. L. (2015). Experience from two decades of the Cambridge Rapid Access Neurology Clinic. Clinical Medicine, 15 (5), 437-441. doi: 10.7861/clinmedicine.15-5-437

Experience from two decades of the Cambridge Rapid Access Neurology Clinic

2015

Conference Publication

Antecollis associated with Parkinson's disease improved following apomorphine therapy

Chang, F. C. F., Mahant, N., Fung, V. S. C., Tsui, D. S. Y., Aldaajani, Z., Adam, R. and Hely, M. A. (2015). Antecollis associated with Parkinson's disease improved following apomorphine therapy. 19th International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, San Diego, CA, United States, 14-18 June 2015. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons.

Antecollis associated with Parkinson's disease improved following apomorphine therapy

2014

Journal Article

Resolution of Othello Syndrome after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in 3 patients with parkinson's disease

Adam, Robert J., McLeod, Robert, Ha, Ainhi D., Colebatch, James G., Menzies, Graham, de Moore, Gregory, Mahant, Neil and Fung, Victor S. C. (2014). Resolution of Othello Syndrome after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in 3 patients with parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders Clinical Practice, 1 (4), 357-360. doi: 10.1002/mdc3.12084

Resolution of Othello Syndrome after subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation in 3 patients with parkinson's disease

2014

Journal Article

An unusual cause of cerebellar hemorrhage in a young patient: Essential thrombocythemia

Adam, Robert, Priglinger, Miriam, Harrington, Timothy, Gottlieb, David and Krause, Martin (2014). An unusual cause of cerebellar hemorrhage in a young patient: Essential thrombocythemia. Journal of Stroke and Cerebrovascular Diseases, 23 (5), E373-E374. doi: 10.1016/j.jstrokecerebrovasdis.2013.12.013

An unusual cause of cerebellar hemorrhage in a young patient: Essential thrombocythemia

2013

Journal Article

Dopamine reverses reward insensitivity in apathy following globus pallidus lesions

Adam, R., Leff A., Sinha N., Turner C., Bays P., Draganski B. and Husain M. (2013). Dopamine reverses reward insensitivity in apathy following globus pallidus lesions. Cortex, 49 (5), 1292-1303. doi: 10.1016/j.cortex.2012.04.013

Dopamine reverses reward insensitivity in apathy following globus pallidus lesions

2013

Conference Publication

The changing face of urgent neurology outpatient referrals

Fiddes, Barnaby, Adam, Robert, Donaghy, Alastair, Whyte, Adam and Allen, Chris (2013). The changing face of urgent neurology outpatient referrals. Annual Meeting of the Association-of-British-Neurologists, Glasgow, Scotland, 21-24 May 2013. London, United Kingdom: B M J Group. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2013-306573.54

The changing face of urgent neurology outpatient referrals

2012

Journal Article

Rapid decision-making under risk

Adam, Robert, Bays, Paul M. and Husain, Masud (2012). Rapid decision-making under risk. Cognitive Neuroscience, 3 (1), 52-61. doi: 10.1080/17588928.2011.613988

Rapid decision-making under risk

2009

Conference Publication

Oculomotor Impulsivity in Parkinson'S Disease

Adam, R. J., Bays, P. M., Singh-Curry, V., Bain, P. G. and Husain, M. (2009). Oculomotor Impulsivity in Parkinson'S Disease. ABN Joint Annual Meeting/Spanish-Society-of-Neurology, Liverpool England, Jun 22-26, 2009. B M J PUBLISHING GROUP. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2009.191759r

Oculomotor Impulsivity in Parkinson'S Disease

2009

Conference Publication

A novel task to probe impulsivity in Parkinson's disease

Adam, R., Bays, P. M., Singh-Curry, V., Bain, P. and Husain, M. (2009). A novel task to probe impulsivity in Parkinson's disease. 13th International Congress of Parkinsons Disease and Movement Disorders, Paris, France, 7-11 June 2009. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons.

A novel task to probe impulsivity in Parkinson's disease

Funding

Current funding

  • 2024 - 2027
    A study of Remternetug Versus Placebo in Early Alzheimer's Disease Participants at Risk for Cognitive and Functional Decline
    Eli Lilly Australia Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2028
    A randomised controlled trial, of N-Acetyl Cysteine, for premanifest Huntingtin gene expansion carriers (NAC-preHD)
    Western Sydney Local Health District
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2025
    An Open-Label, Long-Term extension Study to Evaluate the Safety and Tolerability of Simufilam 100mg Tablets in Participants With Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease
    Premier Research (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    A randomised controlled trial of N-Acetyl Cysteine for premanifest Huntington gene expansion carriers (NAC-preHD)
    Huntington's Australia Research Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Mining the gut microbiome to develop new treatments and biomarkers for Parkinson's disease
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2025
    Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Parallel-group, 52 week study evaluating the safety and efficacy of Simufilam 100mg tablets in subjects with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's Disease
    Premier Research (Australia) Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Validating Magnetic Resonance diagnosis in Parkinson's Disease
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    The Australian Dementia Network (ADNeT): Bringing together Australia's dementia stakeholders (NHRMC Boosting Dementia Grant administered by University of Melbourne)
    University of Melbourne
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022 - 2024
    A randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind study to evaluate the effect of SAGE-718 on cognitive function in participants with Huntington's Disease
    Parexel International Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2024
    Evaluation of Tolebrutinib as a novel disease-modifying therapeutic for Parkinson's disease
    The Michael J Fox Foundation Therapeutic Pipeline Program
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Comparative and Cross Validation of alpha- Synuclein Seeding Assays in Peripheral Biomatrices skin, submandibular gland, CSF, Saliva and Tear Fluids
    University of Georgia
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Uncovering a novel therapeutic target to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson's disease
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    The role of dopamine in age-related deficits in sensorimotor adaptation
    Brain Foundation Research Gift
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2020
    Launching a Huntington's Disease clinical trial site at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    The Queensland Drug Repurposing Initiative
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Dr Rob Adam is:
Available for supervision

Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.

Media

Enquiries

Contact Dr Rob Adam directly for media enquiries about:

  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Behavioural Neurology
  • Clinical Trials
  • Cognition
  • Deep Brain Stimulation
  • Dementia
  • Dystonia
  • Friedreich's Ataxia
  • Huntington's Disease
  • Medical Education
  • Neurology
  • Parkinson's disease
  • Tourette's Syndrome
  • Tremor

Need help?

For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team:

communications@uq.edu.au