
Overview
Background
Neurologist
Dr McCombe graduated in Medicine from UQ and completed a Science degree for medical students. She then trained as a neurologist in Sydney, at Prince Henry and Prince of Wales Hospitals. She obtained a PhD from the University of Sydney. She obtained experience in Neurophysiology in Cleveland and then returned to UQ as a post-doctoral fellow. She worked for some years as a research fellow in Neuroimmunology and was an NHMRc SRF. Later she resumed clinical practice as a neurologist, and contimued her research as an NHMRC Practitioner Fellow. She is currentlyProfessor and Head of the Royal Brisbane Clinical school in the School of Medicine and Co-head of the Brain and Mental Health Theme at the UQ Centre for Clinical Research.
Availability
- Professor Pamela McCombe is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science, The University of Queensland
- Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Medical Science, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
- Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Research interests
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Biomarkers and heterogeneity in ALS
One of the challenges of ALS is understanding disease heterogeneity. Our work studies the variability of patients by detailed clinical, laboratory and genetic studies, and by identifying biomarkers that are associated with disease. We use a range of techniques including neurophysiology, MRI, metabolic studies, genetic studies, immune markers and biochemical studies including proteomics. We are using this information to analyse whether patients can be assigned into subgroups and to correlated with survival.
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Inflammatory neuropathy studies
This is an ongoing study of the immunological basis and genetic basis of acute and chronic inflammatory neuropathy
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Pregnancy and MS
This study is exploring the short and long term effects of pregnancy in multiple sclerosis. This includes the clinical effects of pregnancy and the effects on gene expression and methylation
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Immunology of stroke
This study involves documenting the immune responses after human stroke and determining the significance of these responses.
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Neuromuscular disease
This work is based at the Neuromuscular clinic at Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and involves correlation of genotype and phenotype of inherited neuromuscular disease
Works
Search Professor Pamela McCombe’s works on UQ eSpace
2014
Journal Article
Body mass index and dietary intervention: Implications for prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Ngo, S.T., Steyn, F.J. and McCombe, P.A. (2014). Body mass index and dietary intervention: Implications for prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 340 (1-2), 5-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2014.02.035
2014
Journal Article
Marginal reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo with application to motor unit number estimation
Drovandi, Christopher C., Pettitt, Anthony N., Henderson, Robert D. and McCombe, Pamela A. (2014). Marginal reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo with application to motor unit number estimation. Computational Statistics and Data Analysis, 72, 128-146. doi: 10.1016/j.csda.2013.11.003
2014
Journal Article
Increased expression of the hypoxia-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes of human subjects with acute ischemic stroke
Yan, Jun, Liu, Jia, Greer, Judith M. and McCombe, Pamela A. (2014). Increased expression of the hypoxia-related genes in peripheral blood leukocytes of human subjects with acute ischemic stroke. Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology, 5 (2), 216-226. doi: 10.1111/cen3.12104
2014
Conference Publication
Characterization of genetic variants in the NFKBIA promoter region in multiple sclerosis
Yan, Jun, Greer, Judith, Mccombe, Pamela, Pender, Michael and Consortium, Anzgene (2014). Characterization of genetic variants in the NFKBIA promoter region in multiple sclerosis. 12th International Congress of Neuroimmunology (ISNI), Mainz, Germany, Nov 09-13, 2014. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2014.08.141
2014
Journal Article
Venous thromboembolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Should we consider routine prophylactic anticoagulation?
Forrest, Kimberley, O'Rourke, Peter, McCombe, Pamela and Henderson, Robert (2014). Venous thromboembolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Should we consider routine prophylactic anticoagulation?. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, 16 (3-4), 280-281. doi: 10.3109/21678421.2014.984724
2014
Book Chapter
Sexual dimorphism in the immune system
McCombe, Pamela A. and Greer, Judith M. (2014). Sexual dimorphism in the immune system. The Autoimmune Diseases. (pp. 319-328) edited by Ian R. Mackay and Noel R. Rose. San Diego, United States: Academic Press. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-384929-8.00024-1
2014
Journal Article
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Blum, Stefan, Csurhes, Peter, Reddel, Stephen, Spies, Judy and McCombe, Pamela (2014). Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 267 (1-2), 92-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.12.007
2014
Conference Publication
Cardiac effects of high-dose fingolimod ingestion
Sheikh, Nabeel, McCombe, Pamela and Blum, Stefan (2014). Cardiac effects of high-dose fingolimod ingestion. ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting 2014, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, May 2014. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2014.06.094
2014
Conference Publication
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré syndrome
Blum, Stefan, Csurhes, Peter, Reddel, Stephen, Spies, Judy and McCombe, Pamela (2014). Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré syndrome. ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting 2014, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, May 2014. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2014.06.032
2014
Journal Article
Correlation of adrenomedullin gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes with severity of ischemic stroke
Liu, Jia, Yan, Jun, Greer, Judith M., Read, Stephen J., Henderson, Robert D., Rose, Stephen E., Coulthard, Alan and McCombe, Pamela A. (2014). Correlation of adrenomedullin gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes with severity of ischemic stroke. International Journal of Neuroscience, 124 (4), 271-280. doi: 10.3109/00207454.2013.837462
2013
Journal Article
Growth hormone secretion is correlated with neuromuscular innervation rather than motor neuron number in early-symptomatic male amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice
Steyn, F. J., Lee, Kevin, Fogarty, M. J., Veldhuis, J. D., McCombe, P. A,, Bellingham, M. C., Ngo, S. T. and Chen, C (2013). Growth hormone secretion is correlated with neuromuscular innervation rather than motor neuron number in early-symptomatic male amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice. Endocrinology, 154 (12), 4695-4706. doi: 10.1210/en.2013-1570
2013
Journal Article
A developmental perspective on bulbar involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Devine, Matthew S., Farrell, Anna, Woodhouse, Helen, McCombe, Pamela A. and Henderson, Robert D. (2013). A developmental perspective on bulbar involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, 14 (7-8), 638-639. doi: 10.3109/21678421.2013.812663
2013
Journal Article
Clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome at seven hospitals on the east coast of Australia
Blum, Stefan, Reddel, Stephen, Spies, Judy and McCombe, Pamela (2013). Clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome at seven hospitals on the east coast of Australia. Journal of The Peripheral Nervous System, 18 (4), 316-320. doi: 10.1111/jns5.12045
2013
Journal Article
A simple and reliable immunohistochemical method for colocalization of 2 antigens in the same cells of paraffin-embedded tissues
Yan, Jun, Catts, Vibeke S., Chan, Anthony and McCombe, Pamela A. (2013). A simple and reliable immunohistochemical method for colocalization of 2 antigens in the same cells of paraffin-embedded tissues. Applied Immunohistochemistry and Molecular Morphol, 21 (5), 471-477. doi: 10.1097/PAI.0b013e3182795710
2013
Journal Article
Erratum: Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy (Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2013) 53 (314-317))
Ioannides, Z. A., Airey, C., Fagermo, N., Blum, S., McCombe, P. A. and Henderson, R. J. (2013). Erratum: Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy (Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2013) 53 (314-317)). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 53 (4). doi: 10.1111/ajo.12121
2013
Journal Article
Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy
Ioannides, Zara A., Airey, Caroline, Fagermo, Narelle, Blum, Stefan, McCombe, Pamela A. and Henderson, Robert J. (2013). Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 53 (3), 314-317. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12069
2013
Journal Article
Female reproductive issues in multiple sclerosis
McCombe, Pamela A. and Greer, Judith M. (2013). Female reproductive issues in multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal, 19 (4), 392-402. doi: 10.1177/1352458512452331
2013
Journal Article
The relationship between limb dominance, disease lateralization and spread of weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Devine, Matthew S., Woodhouse, Helen, McCombe, Pam A. and Henderson, Robert D. (2013). The relationship between limb dominance, disease lateralization and spread of weakness in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, 14 (2), 150-151. doi: 10.3109/17482968.2012.725416
2013
Journal Article
Levels of interleukin 33 and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 in acute ischemic stroke
Yan, Jun, Lin, Clement Y. H., Pfluger, Casey M. and McCombe, Pamela A. (2013). Levels of interleukin 33 and soluble suppression of tumorigenicity 2 in acute ischemic stroke. Clinical and Experimental Neuroimmunology, 4 (3), 339-347. doi: 10.1111/cen3.12067
2012
Journal Article
Use of Bayesian MUNE to show differing rate of loss of motor units in subgroups of ALS
Baumann, F., Henderson, R. D., Ridall, P. G., Pettitt, A. N. and McCombe, Pamela A. (2012). Use of Bayesian MUNE to show differing rate of loss of motor units in subgroups of ALS. Clinical Neurophysiology, 123 (12), 2446-2453. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2012.04.022
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Professor Pamela McCombe is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Survival and heterogeneity in Motor Neurone Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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Doctor Philosophy
Studies of neurophysiology of motor neurone disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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Master Philosophy
Neurophysiology of Motor Neurone disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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Doctor Philosophy
Survival and heterogeneity in Motor Neurone Disease
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of Epstein-Barr virus infection in multiple sclerosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Greer
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Doctor Philosophy
The potential role of CXCR2 activation in motor neuron disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
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Doctor Philosophy
The Role of Neutrophils in Motor Neuron Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee, Dr Cedric Cui
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Doctor Philosophy
Studies of myasthenia gravis using MGBase.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefan Blum
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Doctor Philosophy
The potential role of CXCR2 activation in motor neuron disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee
Completed supervision
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2024
Doctor Philosophy
Defining the Clinical Phenotype of Autoantibody Associated Epilepsy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Honorary Professor Kristen Radford
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2022
Master Philosophy
Studies of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Clinical and laboratory features of ALS
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson, Dr Aven Lee
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2017
Master Philosophy
Energy metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Assessment of body composition and energy expenditure
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson, Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo, Associate Professor Frederik Steyn
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Measuring the progression of upper motor neuron disease using diffusion MRI and its correlation with Clinical phenotype
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson, Dr Nyoman Kurniawan, Dr Kerstin Pannek
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2014
Doctor Philosophy
Pathogenesis of Guillain-Barre syndrome and chronic inflammatory polyradiculoneuropathy
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Greer
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Biomarkers of Motor Neurone Disease : Neurophysiological studies of lower motor degeneration
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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2007
Doctor Philosophy
EXAMINATION OF SURFACE-RECORDED MOTOR UNITS AND A NEW APPROACH TO MOTOR UNIT NUMBER ESTIMATES
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Greer
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2003
Doctor Philosophy
IMMUNOSUPPRESSION IN EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS
Principal Advisor
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Multimodal evaluation of autoimmune encephalitis in Queensland
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefan Blum
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Asymmetry and Vulnerability in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Robert Henderson
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2013
Doctor Philosophy
Molecular analysis of the motor neuron disease-associated protein, TDP-43
Associate Advisor
Media
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