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
2012
Conference Publication
Changes in the gene expression and splicing in the CNS during pregnancy and post-partum in the rat
Inglis, H., Narayanan, R., Wallace, R., Greer, J. and McCombe, P. (2012). Changes in the gene expression and splicing in the CNS during pregnancy and post-partum in the rat. Progress in MS Research Conference 2011, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 26-28 October 2011. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
2012
Conference Publication
Increased expression of the hypoxia related genes in peripheral blood cells of subjects with acute ischaemic stroke
McCombe, Pamela, Liu, Jia, Yan, Jun and Greer, Judith (2012). Increased expression of the hypoxia related genes in peripheral blood cells of subjects with acute ischaemic stroke. 11th International Congress of Neuroimmunology (ISNI), Boston MA., United States, 4-8 November 2012. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier.
2012
Journal Article
Impairments to the GH-IGF-I axis in hSOD1(G93A) mice give insight into possible mechanisms of GH dysregulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Steyn, F. J., Ngo, S. T, Lee, J. D., Leong, J. W., Buckley, A. J., Veldhuis, J. D., McCombe, P. A., Chen, C. and Bellingham, M. C. (2012). Impairments to the GH-IGF-I axis in hSOD1(G93A) mice give insight into possible mechanisms of GH dysregulation in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Endocrinology, 153 (8), 3735-3746. doi: 10.1210/en.2011-2171
2012
Journal Article
Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter-572 C Allele may play a role in rate of disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis
Yan, Jun, Liu, Jia, Lin, Clement Yihao, Australia and New Zealand Multiple Sclerorsis Genetics Consortium, Csurhes, Peter A., Pender, Michael P., McCombe, Pamela A. and Greer, Judith M. (2012). Interleukin-6 Gene Promoter-572 C Allele may play a role in rate of disease progression in Multiple Sclerosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 13 (10), 13667-13679. doi: 10.3390/ijms131013667
2012
Conference Publication
Investigation of gene mutations in the NFKBIA promoter region in patients with multiple sclerosis
Yan, J., Pender, M.P., Liu, J., McCombe, P.A., Greer, J.M. and ANZgene Consortium (2012). Investigation of gene mutations in the NFKBIA promoter region in patients with multiple sclerosis. Progress in MS Research Conference 2011, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 26-28 October 2011. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
2011
Journal Article
Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Modern theories of etiology
Hardy, Todd A., Blum, Stefan, McCombe, Pamela A. and Reddel, Stephen W. (2011). Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Modern theories of etiology. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 11 (3), 197-204. doi: 10.1007/s11882-011-0190-y
2011
Journal Article
Use and monitoring of low dose rituximab in myasthenia gravis
Blum, Stefan, Gillis, David, Brown, Helen, Boyle, Richard, Henderson, Robert, Heyworth-Smith, David, Hogan, Patrick, Kubler, Paul, Lander, Cecilie, Limberg, Nicole, Pillans, Peter, Prain, Kerri, Staples, Christopher, Walsh, Michael, McCombe, Pamela and Wong, Richard (2011). Use and monitoring of low dose rituximab in myasthenia gravis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 82 (6), 659-663. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.2010.220475
2011
Journal Article
Role of gender in multiple sclerosis: Clinical effects and potential molecular mechanisms
Greer, Judith M. and McCombe, Pamela A. (2011). Role of gender in multiple sclerosis: Clinical effects and potential molecular mechanisms. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 234 (1-2), 7-18. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2011.03.003
2011
Journal Article
Levels of phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H (pNfH) are increased in acute ischemic stroke
Singh, P., Yan, J., Hull, R., Read, S., O'Sullivan, J., Henderson, R.D., Rose, S., Greer, J.M. and McCombe, P.A. (2011). Levels of phosphorylated axonal neurofilament subunit H (pNfH) are increased in acute ischemic stroke. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 304 (1-2), 117-121. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2011.01.025
2011
Journal Article
The role of immune and inflammatory mechanisms in ALS
McCombe, P. A. and Henderson, R. D. (2011). The role of immune and inflammatory mechanisms in ALS. Current Molecular Medicine, 11 (3), 246-254. doi: 10.2174/156652411795243450
2011
Journal Article
Atypical clinical presentations of the A3243G mutation, usually associated with MELAS
Blum, S., Robertson, T., Klingberg, S., Henderson, R.D. and McCombe, P. (2011). Atypical clinical presentations of the A3243G mutation, usually associated with MELAS. Internal Medicine Journal, 41 (2), 200-202. doi: 10.1111/j.1445-5994.2010.02379.x
2011
Conference Publication
Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS
Steyn, F.J., Ngo, S.T., Buckley, A.J., Leong, J.W., Veldhuis, J.D., McCombe, P.A., Chen, C. and Bellingham, M.C. (2011). Pulsatile Growth Hormone Secretion in the SOD1G93A Mouse Model of ALS. Endocrine Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, Western Australia, 28-31 August.
2011
Conference Publication
Pulsatile growth hormone secretion in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS resembles growth hormone deficiency in ALS patients
Ngo, S. T., Steyn, F. J., Buckley, A. J., Leong, J. W., Veldhuis, J. D., Chen, C., McCombe, P. A. and Bellingham, M. C. (2011). Pulsatile growth hormone secretion in the SOD1G93A mouse model of ALS resembles growth hormone deficiency in ALS patients. 22nd International ALS/MND Symposium, Sydney, Australia, 30 November - 2 December 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Comparison of Motor Units Number Estimation by Bayesian Statistical MUNE with Histological Counting of Motor Unit Numbers: Validation of the Method
McCombe, P., Ngo, S., Bellingham, M., Pettitt, A. and Henderson, R. (2011). Comparison of Motor Units Number Estimation by Bayesian Statistical MUNE with Histological Counting of Motor Unit Numbers: Validation of the Method. 63rd AAN Annual Meeting, Honolulu, HI, United States, 9-16 April 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Comparison of motor unit number estimation by Bayesian statistical MUNE with histological counting of motor unit numbers
Ngo, S. T., Bellingham, M. C., Pettitt, A. N., Ridall, P. G., Henderson, R. D. and McCombe, P. A. (2011). Comparison of motor unit number estimation by Bayesian statistical MUNE with histological counting of motor unit numbers. 22nd International ALS/MND Symposium, Sydney, Australia, 30 November - 2 December 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Bayesian Statistical Motor Unit Number Estimation in the Assessment of ALS
McCombe, Pamela A., Baumann, Fusun, Henderson, Robert and Anthony, Pettitt (2011). Bayesian Statistical Motor Unit Number Estimation in the Assessment of ALS. 63rd Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Neurology, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A., APR 09-16, 2011. Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2011
Conference Publication
Estimation of Motor Unit Loss in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
Ngo, S. T., Baumann, F., Pettitt, A. N., Ridall, P. G., Henderson, R. D., McCombe, P. A. and Bellingham, M. C. (2011). Estimation of Motor Unit Loss in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Australian Neuroscience Society 31st Annual Meeting, Auckland, New Zealand, 31 January -3 February 2011.
2011
Conference Publication
Comparison of Motor Units Number Estimation by Bayesian Statistical MUNE with Histological Counting of Motor Unit Numbers: Validation of the Method
McCombe, Pamela, Ngo, Shuyan, Bellingham, Mark, Pettitt, Anthony and Henderson, Robert (2011). Comparison of Motor Units Number Estimation by Bayesian Statistical MUNE with Histological Counting of Motor Unit Numbers: Validation of the Method. 63rd Annual Meeting of the American-Academy-of-Neurology, Honolulu, HI, U.S.A., APR 09-16, 2011. Philadelphia, PA, U.S.A.: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2010
Journal Article
Effects of gender in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
McCombe, PA and Henderson, RD (2010). Effects of gender in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Gender Medicine, 7 (6), 557-570. doi: 10.1016/j.genm.2010.11.010
2010
Journal Article
Biomarkers of disease in a case of familial lower motor neuron ALS
Baumann, Fusun, Rose, Stephen E., Nicholson, Garth A., Hutchinson, Nicole, Pannek, Kerstin, Pettitt, Anthony, McCombe, Pamela A. and Henderson, Robert D. (2010). Biomarkers of disease in a case of familial lower motor neuron ALS. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, 11 (5), 486-489. doi: 10.3109/17482961003774428
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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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
Studies of myasthenia gravis using MGBase.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Stefan Blum
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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 Role of Neutrophils in Motor Neuron Disease
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Trent Woodruff, Dr Jenny Fung, Dr John Lee, Dr Cedric Cui
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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