
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
2001
Journal Article
Use of traditional and complementary medical care by patients with Multiple Sclerosis in South-East Queensland
Hooper, Kaye D., Pender, Michael P., Webb, Penny M. and McCombe, Pam A. (2001). Use of traditional and complementary medical care by patients with Multiple Sclerosis in South-East Queensland. International Journal of MS Care, 3 (1), 13-28. doi: 10.7224/1537-2073-3.1.13
2001
Journal Article
The effects of pregnancy on myelin basic protein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats: Suppression of clinical disease, modulation of cytokine expression in the spinal cord inflammatory infiltrate and suppression of lymphocyte p
Harness, J. and McCombe, P. A. (2001). The effects of pregnancy on myelin basic protein-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats: Suppression of clinical disease, modulation of cytokine expression in the spinal cord inflammatory infiltrate and suppression of lymphocyte p. American Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 46 (6), 405-412. doi: 10.1111/%28ISSN%291600-0897
2001
Edited Outputs
International Journal of MS Care
International Journal of MS Care. (2001). 3 (1)
2000
Journal Article
Results of testing for anti-GM1 antibodies
McCombe, P. A., Wilson, R. and Prentice, R. L. (2000). Results of testing for anti-GM1 antibodies. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 7 (3), 209-212. doi: 10.1054/jocn.1999.0217
2000
Journal Article
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and severe peripheral oedema: a renal explanation
Henderson, R. D., Healy, H. G., McCombe, P. A. and Lander, C. M. (2000). Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy and severe peripheral oedema: a renal explanation. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 7 (2), 148-149. doi: 10.1054/jocn.1999.0170
2000
Journal Article
Early pregnancy factor suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced in Lewis rats with myelin basic protein and in SJL/J mice with myelin proteolipid protein peptide 139-151
ZhangB, HarnessJ, Somodevilla-TorresMJ, HillyardNC, MouldAW, AlewoodD, LoveSG, AlewoodPF, GreerJM, CavanaghAC, McCombe, PA, MortonH and RPLisak (2000). Early pregnancy factor suppresses experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis induced in Lewis rats with myelin basic protein and in SJL/J mice with myelin proteolipid protein peptide 139-151. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 182 (1), 5-15. doi: 10.1016/S0022-510X(00)00432-9
2000
Journal Article
Surges of Increased T Cell Reactivity to an Encephalitogenic Region of Myelin Proteolipid Protein Occur More Often in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis than in Healthy Subjects
Pender, Michael P., Csurhes, Peter A., Greer, Judith M., Mowat, Paul D., Henderson, Robert D., Cameron, Kaye D., Purdie, David M., McCombe, Pamela A. and Good, Michael F. (2000). Surges of Increased T Cell Reactivity to an Encephalitogenic Region of Myelin Proteolipid Protein Occur More Often in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis than in Healthy Subjects. Journal of Immunology, 165 (9), 5322-5331. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.9.5322
1999
Journal Article
Effects of Cyclosporin A Treatment on Clinical Course and Inflammatory Cell Apoptosis in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Induced in Lewis Rats by Inoculation with Myelin Basic Protein
McCombe, Pamela A., Harness, J. and Pender, M. P. (1999). Effects of Cyclosporin A Treatment on Clinical Course and Inflammatory Cell Apoptosis in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Induced in Lewis Rats by Inoculation with Myelin Basic Protein. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 97 (1-2), 60-69. doi: 10.1016/S0165-5728(99)00047-8
1999
Conference Publication
Fluctuations in the frequencies of circulating myelin-reactive T cells in healthy subjects and patients with multiple sclerosis
Pender, M. P., Csurhes, P. A., Greer, J. M., Mowat, P. D., Henderson, R. D., Cameron, K. D., McCombe, P. A. and Good, M. F. (1999). Fluctuations in the frequencies of circulating myelin-reactive T cells in healthy subjects and patients with multiple sclerosis. ECTRIMS/ACTRIMS'99, Basel, Switzerland, 15 - 18 Sept, 1999. Basingstoke, England: Stockton Press.
1999
Conference Publication
The role of PMP-22 as an autoantigen in GBS and CIDP
Sullivan, A., Csurhes, P. A., Alizart, M., Pender, M. P. and McCombe, P. A. (1999). The role of PMP-22 as an autoantigen in GBS and CIDP. Royal Brisbane Hospital Health Care Symposium, Westpac Auditorium Bancroft Cen., 21 - 27 Oct, 1999. Brisbane: Royal Brisbane Hospital.
1998
Journal Article
Cytokine Expression by Inflammatory Cells Obtained from the Spinal Cords of Lewis Rats with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Induced by Inoculation with Myelin Basic Protein and Adjuvants
McCombe, P. A., Nickson, I. and Pender, M. P. (1998). Cytokine Expression by Inflammatory Cells Obtained from the Spinal Cords of Lewis Rats with Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis Induced by Inoculation with Myelin Basic Protein and Adjuvants. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 88 (1-2), 30-38. doi: 10.1016/S0165-5728(98)00068-X
1998
Journal Article
Microglia are more susceptible than macrophages to apoptosis in the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune Encephalomyelitis through a mechanism not involving Fas (CD95)
White, C. A., McCombe, P. A. and Pender, M. P. (1998). Microglia are more susceptible than macrophages to apoptosis in the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune Encephalomyelitis through a mechanism not involving Fas (CD95). International Immunology, 10 (7), 935-941. doi: 10.1093/intimm/10.7.935
1998
Journal Article
The roles of Fas, Fas Ligand and Bcl-2 in T Cell apoptosis in the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune Encephalomyelitis
White, Catherine A., McCombe, Pamela A. and Pender, Michael P. (1998). The roles of Fas, Fas Ligand and Bcl-2 in T Cell apoptosis in the central nervous system in experimental autoimmune Encephalomyelitis. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 82 (1), 47-55. doi: 10.1016/S0165-5728(97)00187-2
1998
Conference Publication
The frequency of circulating T cells reactive to PLP184-209 increases prior to MS relapse and development of new MR1 lesions
Cameron, K. D., Csurhes, P. A., Good, M. F., Greer, J. M., Henderson, R. D., McCombe, P. A., Mowat, P. D. and Pender, M. P. (1998). The frequency of circulating T cells reactive to PLP184-209 increases prior to MS relapse and development of new MR1 lesions. Fifth International Congress of the International Society of Neuroimmunology, Montreal, QC, Canada, 23-27 August 1998. doi: 10.1016/S0165-5728(98)91636-8
1997
Journal Article
Increased Immunoreactivity to Two Overlapping Peptides of Myelin Proteolipid Protein in Multiple Sclerosis
Greer, J. M., Csurhes, P. A., Cameron, K. D., McCombe, P. A., Good, M. F. and Pender, M. P. (1997). Increased Immunoreactivity to Two Overlapping Peptides of Myelin Proteolipid Protein in Multiple Sclerosis. Brain, 120 (8), 1447-1460. doi: 10.1093/brain/120.8.1447
1997
Journal Article
Corrigendum to "A Study Of Human T-Cell Lines Generated From Multiple Sclerosis Patients And Controls By Stimulation With Peptides Of Myelin Basic Protein" (J. Neuroimmunol. 70, 65-74)
Pender, M. P., Csurhes, P. A., Houghten, R. A., McCombe, P. A. and Good, M. F. (1997). Corrigendum to "A Study Of Human T-Cell Lines Generated From Multiple Sclerosis Patients And Controls By Stimulation With Peptides Of Myelin Basic Protein" (J. Neuroimmunol. 70, 65-74). Journal of Neuroimmunology, 73 (1-2), 213-213.
1997
Journal Article
Increased apoptosis of T lymphocytes and macrophages in the central and peripheral nervous systems of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis treated with dexamethasone
Nguyen, Kim B., McCombe, Pamela A. and Pender, Michael P. (1997). Increased apoptosis of T lymphocytes and macrophages in the central and peripheral nervous systems of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis treated with dexamethasone. Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, 56 (1), 58-69. doi: 10.1097/00005072-199701000-00006
1997
Conference Publication
Cytokine mRNA expression in lymphocytes from the spinal cords of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
McCombe, P. A., Nickson, I. and Pender, M. P. (1997). Cytokine mRNA expression in lymphocytes from the spinal cords of Lewis rats with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. -, -, -. Hoboken, NJ, United States: Wiley-Blackwell. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.1997.tb01051.x
1997
Conference Publication
Early pregnancy factor and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
McCombe, P. A., Harness, J., Cavanagh, A. C. and Morton, H. (1997). Early pregnancy factor and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. American Neurological Association Annual Meeting, San Diego CA, United States, 28 September - 1 October 1997. Hoboken, NJ, United States: John Wiley & Sons.
1997
Journal Article
Erratum: A study of human T-cell lines generated from multiple sclerosis patients and controls by stimulation with peptides of myelin basic protein (J. Neuroimmunol. 70, 65-74 (1996))
Pender, M. P., Csurhes, P. A., Houghten, R. A., McCombe, P. A. and Good, M. F. (1997). Erratum: A study of human T-cell lines generated from multiple sclerosis patients and controls by stimulation with peptides of myelin basic protein (J. Neuroimmunol. 70, 65-74 (1996)). Journal of Neuroimmunology, 73 (1-2), 213-213. doi: 10.1016/S0165-5728(96)00222-6
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
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
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
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Doctor Philosophy
The role of Epstein-Barr virus infection in multiple sclerosis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Judith Greer
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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