Associate Professor Frederik Steyn
Associate Professor

Frederik Steyn

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 53132

Background

Associate Professor Steyn is a leading expert in neurodegenerative disease research, specializing in the metabolic and physiological aspects of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). He currently directs a comprehensive translational research program at the University of Queensland, focusing on the interplay between metabolism and disease progression in MND, and leads key projects investigating the impact of metabolic dysfunction, appetite dysregulation, and hypermetabolism on patient outcomes. His work prioritizes the integration of pre-clinical models, clinical studies, and innovative digital health technologies to advance understanding of the heterogeneity in MND, patient care and therapeutic development.

Associate Professor Steyn’s career began with detailed investigations into the hypothalamic regulation of energy homeostasis, growth, and reproduction. He developed industry-standard methodologies for evaluating hormone release patterns in rodent models, particularly concerning growth hormone regulation. In 2015, he transitioned to focus on neurodegenerative diseases, establishing a research platform at UQ that has significantly advanced the analysis of metabolic phenotypes in MND.

His current research projects include the MEND-MND study, which explores how altered energy metabolism influences disease progression, and the EATT4MND study, which examines the consequences of appetite loss and impaired body weight regulation on disease outcomes. Through collaboration with industry partners, he is also developing novel therapeutic strategies and refining wearable digital health technologies for precise, real-time monitoring of disease progression, including the validation of actigraphy-based measures as clinical trial biomarkers.

Availability

Associate Professor Frederik Steyn is:
Available for supervision

Fields of research

Clinical sciences Zoology

Qualifications

  • Doctoral Diploma, University of Otago

Search Professor Frederik Steyn’s works on UQ eSpace

118 works between 2007 and 2025
All (118) Journal Article (101) Book Chapter (5) Conference Publication (10) Other Outputs (2)

41 - 60 of 118 works

2021

Journal Article

Meta-analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation identifies shared associations across neurodegenerative disorders

Nabais, Marta F., Laws, Simon M., Lin, Tian, Vallerga, Costanza L., Armstrong, Nicola J., Blair, Ian P., Kwok, John B., Mather, Karen A., Mellick, George D., Sachdev, Perminder S., Wallace, Leanne, Henders, Anjali K., Zwamborn, Ramona A. J., Hop, Paul J., Lunnon, Katie, Pishva, Ehsan, Roubroeks, Janou A. Y., Soininen, Hilkka, Tsolaki, Magda, Mecocci, Patrizia, Lovestone, Simon, Kloszewska, Iwona, Vellas, Bruno, Furlong, Sarah, Garton, Fleur C., Henderson, Robert D., Mathers, Susan, McCombe, Pamela A., Needham, Merrilee ... McRae, Allan F. (2021). Meta-analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation identifies shared associations across neurodegenerative disorders. Genome Biology, 22 (1) 90, 1-30. doi: 10.1186/s13059-021-02275-5

Meta-analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation identifies shared associations across neurodegenerative disorders

2021

Journal Article

Ghrelin as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Ngo, Shyuan T., Wang, Hao, Henderson, Robert D., Bowers, Cyril and Steyn, Frederik J. (2021). Ghrelin as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of Neuroendocrinology, 33 (7) e12938, 1-10. doi: 10.1111/jne.12938

Ghrelin as a treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2021

Journal Article

CNS glucose metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a therapeutic target?

Tefera, Tesfaye Wolde, Steyn, Frederik J., Ngo, Shyuan T. and Borges, Karin (2021). CNS glucose metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a therapeutic target?. Cell & Bioscience, 11 (1) 14, 14. doi: 10.1186/s13578-020-00511-2

CNS glucose metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a therapeutic target?

2021

Book Chapter

Hypothalamus and weight loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Ahmed, Rebekah M., Steyn, Frederik and Dupuis, Luc (2021). Hypothalamus and weight loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Handbook of clinical neurology. (pp. 327-338) Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-820107-7.00020-3

Hypothalamus and weight loss in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020

Journal Article

Genome-wide meta-analysis finds the ACSL5-ZDHHC6 locus is associated with ALS and links weight loss to the disease genetics

Iacoangeli, Alfredo, Lin, Tian, Al Khleifat, Ahmad, Jones, Ashley R., Opie-Martin, Sarah, Coleman, Jonathan R.I., Shatunov, Aleksey, Sproviero, William, Williams, Kelly L., Garton, Fleur, Restuadi, Restuadi, Henders, Anjali K., Mather, Karen A., Needham, Merilee, Mathers, Susan, Nicholson, Garth A., Rowe, Dominic B., Henderson, Robert, McCombe, Pamela A., Pamphlett, Roger, Blair, Ian P., Schultz, David, Sachdev, Perminder S., Newhouse, Stephen J., Proitsi, Petroula, Fogh, Isabella, Ngo, Shyuan T., Dobson, Richard J.B., Wray, Naomi R. ... Al-Chalabi, Ammar (2020). Genome-wide meta-analysis finds the ACSL5-ZDHHC6 locus is associated with ALS and links weight loss to the disease genetics. Cell Reports, 33 (4) 108323, 1-9. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108323

Genome-wide meta-analysis finds the ACSL5-ZDHHC6 locus is associated with ALS and links weight loss to the disease genetics

2020

Journal Article

Altered skeletal muscle glucose-fatty acid flux in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Steyn, Frederik J., Li, Rui, Kirk, Siobhan E., Tefera, Tesfaye W, Xie, Teresa Y., Tracey, Timothy J., Kelk, Dean, Wimberger, Elyse, Garton, Fleur C., Roberts, Llion, Chapman, Sarah E., Coombes, Jeff S., Leevy, W. Matthew, Ferri, Alberto, Valle, Cristiana, René, Frédérique, Loeffler, Jean-Philippe, McCombe, Pamela A., Henderson, Robert D. and Ngo, Shyuan T. (2020). Altered skeletal muscle glucose-fatty acid flux in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Communications, 2 (2) fcaa154, fcaa154. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa154

Altered skeletal muscle glucose-fatty acid flux in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020

Journal Article

The role of lipids in the central nervous system and their pathological implications in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Tracey, T. J., Kirk, S. E., Steyn, F. J. and Ngo, S. T. (2020). The role of lipids in the central nervous system and their pathological implications in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Seminars in Cell and Developmental Biology, 112, 69-81. doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2020.08.012

The role of lipids in the central nervous system and their pathological implications in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020

Journal Article

Prognostic value of weight loss in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Steyn, Frederik J and Ngo, Shyuan T (2020). Prognostic value of weight loss in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 91 (8), 813-813. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2020-323440

Prognostic value of weight loss in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020

Journal Article

Response to Letter to the Editor: "IGSF1 Deficiency Results in Human and Murine Somatotrope Neurosecretory Hyperfunction"

Joustra, Sjoerd D., Roelfsema, Ferdinand, van Trotsenburg, A. S. Paul, Schneider, Harald J., Kosilek, Robert P., Kroon, Herman M., Logan, John G., Butterfield, Natalie C., Zhou, Xiang, Toufaily, Chirine, Bak, Beata, Turgeon, Marc-Olivier, Brule, Emilie, Steyn, Frederik J., Gurnell, Mark, Koulouri, Olympia, Le Tissier, Paul, Fontanaud, Pierre, Bassett, J. H. Duncan, Williams, Graham R., Oostdijk, Wilma, Wit, Jan M., Pereira, Alberto M., Biermasz, Nienke R., Bernard, Daniel J. and Schoenmakers, Nadia (2020). Response to Letter to the Editor: "IGSF1 Deficiency Results in Human and Murine Somatotrope Neurosecretory Hyperfunction". Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 105 (6), E2315-E2316. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa147

Response to Letter to the Editor: "IGSF1 Deficiency Results in Human and Murine Somatotrope Neurosecretory Hyperfunction"

2020

Journal Article

Skeletal-Muscle Metabolic Reprogramming in ALS-SOD1G93A Mice Predates Disease Onset and Is A Promising Therapeutic Target

Scaricamazza, Silvia, Salvatori, Illari, Giacovazzo, Giacomo, Loeffler, Jean Philippe, Renè, Frederique, Rosina, Marco, Quessada, Cyril, Proietti, Daisy, Heil, Constantin, Rossi, Simona, Battistini, Stefania, Giannini, Fabio, Volpi, Nila, Steyn, Frederik J., Ngo, Shyuan T., Ferraro, Elisabetta, Madaro, Luca, Coccurello, Roberto, Valle, Cristiana and Ferri, Alberto (2020). Skeletal-Muscle Metabolic Reprogramming in ALS-SOD1G93A Mice Predates Disease Onset and Is A Promising Therapeutic Target. iScience, 23 (5) 101087, 101087. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101087

Skeletal-Muscle Metabolic Reprogramming in ALS-SOD1G93A Mice Predates Disease Onset and Is A Promising Therapeutic Target

2020

Journal Article

Significant out-of-sample classification from methylation profile scoring for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Nabais, Marta F., Lin, Tian, Benyamin, Beben, Williams, Kelly L., Garton, Fleur C., Vinkhuyzen, Anna A. E., Zhang, Futao, Vallerga, Costanza L., Restuadi, Restuadi, Freydenzon, Anna, Zwamborn, Ramona A. J., Hop, Paul J., Robinson, Matthew R., Gratten, Jacob, Visscher, Peter M., Hannon, Eilis, Mill, Jonathan, Brown, Matthew A., Laing, Nigel G., Mather, Karen A., Sachdev, Perminder S., Ngo, Shyuan T., Steyn, Frederik J., Wallace, Leanne, Henders, Anjali K., Needham, Merrilee, Veldink, Jan H., Mathers, Susan, Nicholson, Garth ... Wray, Naomi R. (2020). Significant out-of-sample classification from methylation profile scoring for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. npj Genomic Medicine, 5 (1) 10, 1-9. doi: 10.1038/s41525-020-0118-3

Significant out-of-sample classification from methylation profile scoring for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020

Journal Article

Monocytes and neutrophils are associated with clinical features in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

McGill, Raquel B., Steyn, Frederik J., Ngo, Shyuan T., Thorpe, Kathryn A., Heggie, Susan, Ruitenberg, Marc J., Henderson, Robert D., McCombe, Pamela A. and Woodruff, Trent M. (2020). Monocytes and neutrophils are associated with clinical features in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Communications, 2 (1) fcaa013, fcaa013. doi: 10.1093/braincomms/fcaa013

Monocytes and neutrophils are associated with clinical features in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2020

Journal Article

Progression and survival of patients with motor neuron disease relative to their fecal microbiota

Ngo, Shyuan T., Restuadi, Restuadi, McCrea, Allan F., Van Eijk, Ruben P., Garton, Fleur, Henderson, Robert D., Wray, Naomi R., McCombe, Pamela A. and Steyn, Frederik J. (2020). Progression and survival of patients with motor neuron disease relative to their fecal microbiota. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, 21 (7-8), 1-14. doi: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1772825

Progression and survival of patients with motor neuron disease relative to their fecal microbiota

2019

Journal Article

IGSF1 Deficiency Results in Human and Murine Somatotrope Neurosecretory Hyperfunction

Joustra, Sjoerd D., Roelfsema, Ferdinand, van Trotsenburg, A. S. Paul, Schneider, Harald J., Kosilek, Robert P., Kroon, Herman M., Logan, John G., Butterfield, Natalie C., Zhou, Xiang, Toufaily, Chirine, Bak, Beata, Turgeon, Marc-Olivier, Brûlé, Emilie, Steyn, Frederik J., Gurnell, Mark, Koulouri, Olympia, Le Tissier, Paul, Fontanaud, Pierre, Duncan Bassett, J. H., Williams, Graham R., Oostdijk, Wilma, Wit, Jan M., Pereira, Alberto M., Biermasz, Nienke R., Bernard, Daniel J. and Schoenmakers, Nadia (2019). IGSF1 Deficiency Results in Human and Murine Somatotrope Neurosecretory Hyperfunction. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 105 (3) dgz093, e70-e84. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgz093

IGSF1 Deficiency Results in Human and Murine Somatotrope Neurosecretory Hyperfunction

2019

Journal Article

C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma

Nabizadeh, Jamileh A., Manthey, Helga D., Panagides, Nadya, Steyn, Frederik J., Lee, John D., Li, Xaria X., Akhir, Fazrena N. M., Chen, Weiyu, Boyle, Glen M., Taylor, Stephen M., Woodruff, Trent M. and Rolfe, Barbara E. (2019). C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma. FASEB Journal, 33 (10), fj201800980RR-11071. doi: 10.1096/fj.201800980rr

C5a receptors C5aR1 and C5aR2 mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma

2019

Journal Article

Gut microbiota in ALS: possible role in pathogenesis?

McCombe, Pamela A., Henderson, Robert D., Lee, Aven, Lee, John D., Woodruff, Trent M., Restuadi, Restuadi, McRae, Allan, Wray, Naomi R., Ngo, Shyuan and Steyn, Frederik J. (2019). Gut microbiota in ALS: possible role in pathogenesis?. Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 19 (9), 1-21. doi: 10.1080/14737175.2019.1623026

Gut microbiota in ALS: possible role in pathogenesis?

2019

Journal Article

Loss of appetite is associated with a loss of weight and fat mass in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Ngo, Shyuan T., Van Eijk, Ruben P. A., Chachay, V. , Van Den Berg, Leonard H., Mccombe, Pamela A., Henderson, Robert D. and Steyn, Frederik J. (2019). Loss of appetite is associated with a loss of weight and fat mass in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration, 20 (7-8), 1-9. doi: 10.1080/21678421.2019.1621346

Loss of appetite is associated with a loss of weight and fat mass in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2019

Journal Article

Biomarkers of metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Kirk, Siobhan E., Tracey, Timothy J., Steyn, Frederik J. and Ngo, Shyuan T. (2019). Biomarkers of metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurology, 10 191, 191. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2019.00191

Biomarkers of metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

2019

Conference Publication

Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma

Nabizadeh, J., Manthey, H., Panagides, N., Steyn, F., Lee, J., Li, X., Woodruff, T. and Rolfe, B. (2019). Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma. 17th International Congress of Immunology (IUIS), Beijing, China, 19-23 October 2019. Weinheim, Germany: Wiley.

Complement C5a receptors, C5aR1 and C5aR2, mediate opposing pathologies in a mouse model of melanoma

2018

Journal Article

Hypermetabolism in ALS is associated with greater functional decline and shorter survival

Steyn, Frederik J., Ioannides, Zara A., van Eijk, Ruben P. A., Heggie, Susan, Thorpe, Kathryn A., Ceslis, Amelia, Heshmat, Saman, Henders, Anjali K., Wray, Naomi R., van den Berg, Leonard H., Henderson, Robert D., McCombe, Pamela A. and Ngo, Shyuan T. (2018). Hypermetabolism in ALS is associated with greater functional decline and shorter survival. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry, 89 (10), jnnp-2017. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-317887

Hypermetabolism in ALS is associated with greater functional decline and shorter survival

Current funding

  • 2025 - 2028
    Deciphering the role of muscle-derived extracellular vesicles in ALS pathology
    Cure for MND Foundation - Discovery Research Grants
    Open grant
  • 2025 - 2027
    Using the spatiotemporal dynamics signature of molecular pathology to decipher disease heterogeneity in ALS
    Cure for MND Foundation - Impact Grants
    Open grant
  • 2024 - 2026
    Targeted wearable robotic exoskeletons to improve movement in patients with ALS (Assistive Technology Grants)
    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALSA)
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Intramuscular allosteric agonism of purinergic P2X7 receptor as a pharmacological approach to enhance skeletal muscle regeneration in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (FightMND administered by IRFMN)
    IRCCS - Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    From the nucleus to the powerhouse: investigating how TDP-43-mitochondrial interactions wreak havoc in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2023 - 2025
    Untangling mechanisms of energy impairment across the ALS-FTD spectrum of disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2023
    Spatial Transcriptomics studies on human tissues
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2022
    Targeting inflammasome-driven neuropathology and motor neuron death in MND using a clinically approved cancer drug.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Linda Rynalski Bridge Funding Grant
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2023
    Preclinical validation of macimorelin, a ghrelin mimetic, as treatment amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    MND in space and time: deciphering the spatio-temporal landscape of cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous drivers of motor neuron death in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2023
    Macimorelin as a treatment for ALS/MND
    Aeterna Zentaris GmbH
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    Targeting NAT1 to improve metabolism and slow disease progression in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc Innovator Grant
    Open grant
  • 2021 - 2022
    N-acetyltransferase 1, a modifier of disease outcome in patients with Motor Neurone Disease (MND).
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Targeting inflammasome-driven neuropathology and motor neuron death in MND using a clinically approved cancer drug.
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Tipping the Scales on MND: Preclinical testing of a compound with multiple actions to slow disease progression in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Investigating the immunometabolic nature of motor neurone disease (MND): a study linking metabolism, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in MND patients
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2022
    Development of biomarkers for loss of fat free mass and disease progression in patients with Motor Neurone Disease
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2023
    Fine tuning metabolic flux: Modulating substrate oxidation as a therapeutic strategy in motor neuron disease (MND)
    NHMRC IDEAS Grants
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Safety and tolerability of Trimetazidine for the treatment of ALS
    Cure for MND Foundation - Drug Development Grants
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    MEND MND - RBWH support
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Point of care assessment of venous acid-base balance and creatinine as markers for disease progression in patients with MND
    Cure for MND Foundation - Impact Grants
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Using single cell RNA-sequencing of induced pluripotent stem cell derived neurones to identify novel disease mechanisms
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Investigating endocrine causes and consequence of loss of appetite in MND patients
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    EATT for MND: Exposing mechanisms of impaired appetite regulation in MND
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Use of Point-of-Care (PoC) testing to improve respiratory management and monitor disease progression in ALS: A pilot study
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Cell-free DNA and ALS; insight into disease mechanisms and progression
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2020
    Assessment of metabolic health in neurodegeneration: studies in motor neurone disease (MND)
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Metabolic exploration in neurodegenerative disease (MEND): synergy between derangements in systemic and muscle metabolism in MND
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Re-evaluation of hypermetabolism and the assessment of endogenous adipose as a modifier of ALS/MND progression (MNDRIA Jenny & Graham Lang Collaboration Travel Grant 2016)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Bioenergetic deficit in neurodegeneration: studies in motor neuron disease (MND)
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2016
    Metabolic and gut dynamics in MND: Identifying novel strategies to meet energy needs in patients
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2015
    Investigating the consequences of increased fat catabolism in motor neurone disease (MND)
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Investigating the causes and consequences of growth hormone dysfunction in motor neuron disease
    Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Defining the role of the MC4R in modulating GH secretion
    UQ New Staff Research Start-Up Fund
    Open grant
  • 2010
    The role of cannabinoids and ghrelin in regulating appetite through leptin
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant

Availability

Associate Professor Frederik Steyn is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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