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Associate Professor John O'Sullivan
Associate Professor

John O'Sullivan

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Overview

Background

After completing neurology training at the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital(RBWH) in 1995, A/Prof O’Sullivan completed Fellowships in Movement Disorders at the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre, Melbourne then the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and Middlesex Hospital in London, UK. He was awarded a doctorate in Medicine from Melbourne University in 2000 for studies into surgery for Parkinson’s disease. He returned to the RBWH in 2001 and set up the Movement Disorders Clinical Service including botulinum toxin and later Friedreich's ataxia clinics, and co-ordinating the Huntington's disease multidisciplinary clinic. Through these clinics he has established collaborations with local, interstate and international researchers in the fields of Parkinson's disease, and other movement disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. He is currently Associate Professor of Medicine and Principal Research Fellow at UQ Centre for Clinical Research, previously Royal Brisbane and Uniting Care Health Clinical Units in UQ School of Clinical Medicine. A/Prof O'Sullivan past President of the Movement Disorders Society of Australia and New Zealand (MDSANZ), having previously served as Chair of the MDSANZ Clinical Trials and Research Group. He is on the Council of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurolgists (ANZAN) and previously chaired the ANZAN Scientific Program Committee

Availability

Associate Professor John O'Sullivan is:
Available for supervision
Media expert

Research interests

  • Non-motor features of Parkinson's disease

    This research involves studies into depression, anxiety and cognitive function in Parkinson's disease in collaboration with Dr Nadeeka Dissanayaka, Dr Robert Adam, Prof Gerard Byrne, Dr Nancy Pachana & Dr Rodney Marsh

  • Novel compounds and clinical trials in neurodegenerative diseases

    Research involves novel compounds and repurposed drugs for treatment and disease-modification in Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, Friedreich's Ataxia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy and motor neurone diseases in collaboration with Dr Richard Gordon, A/Prof Trent Woodruff, A/Prof Rob Henderson, Prof Pam McCombe, Dr Robert Adam and Wesley Medical Research.

  • Exercise in Parkinson's disease

    In collaboration with Prof Sandy Brauer, Dr Robyn Lamont, and Wesley Medical Research, studies exploring maintenance of exercise, gait and boxing in Parkinson's disease.

  • Sleep in neurodegenerative diseases

    These studies in collaboration with Dr Simon Smith, Dr Jane Nikles and Wesley Medical Research explore novel aspects involving sleep in Parkinson's, Huntington's and motor neurone diseases and Friedreich's ataxia

Research impacts

A/Prof O’Sullivan’s novel investigator-initiated clinical trial in Parkinson’s disease (PD) (Mov Dis 2007; 22:1543-9) is cited in the American Academy of Neurology Practice Parameters and MDS Evidence Based Medicine Review of Management of Non-motor symptoms in PD. The initial description of syndrome of Dopamine Dysregulation in PD (JNNP 2000; 68:423-428) complicating dopamine replacement therapy in some patients with Parkinson’s disease has led to widespread recognition of the syndrome, and this paper has had more than 400 citations. The Movement Disorders Society revision of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS–UPDRS) includes a section to address features of the dopamine dysregulation syndrome as a result of this. This research has also contributed to debate about addiction in general (Addiction. 2012;107(2):253).

Works

Search Professor John O'Sullivan’s works on UQ eSpace

240 works between 1988 and 2025

1 - 20 of 240 works

2025

Journal Article

Clinical utility of 18F-fluorodopa positron emission tomography in the movement disorder clinic: an Australian experience

Yeow, Dennis, Fielder, Matthew, Hynard, Shane, Adam, Robert, Katz, Matthew, Lehn, Alexander, Thomas, Paul and O'Sullivan, John D. (2025). Clinical utility of 18F-fluorodopa positron emission tomography in the movement disorder clinic: an Australian experience. Internal Medicine Journal. doi: 10.1111/imj.16615

Clinical utility of 18F-fluorodopa positron emission tomography in the movement disorder clinic: an Australian experience

2024

Journal Article

Profiling people with Parkinson's disease at risk of cognitive decline: Insights from PPMI and ICICLE‐PD data

Pourzinal, Dana, Lawson, Rachael A., Yarnall, Alison J., Williams‐Gray, Caroline H., Barker, Roger A., Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., O'Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Profiling people with Parkinson's disease at risk of cognitive decline: Insights from PPMI and ICICLE‐PD data. Alzheimer's and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring, 16 (3) e12625, 1-11. doi: 10.1002/dad2.12625

Profiling people with Parkinson's disease at risk of cognitive decline: Insights from PPMI and ICICLE‐PD data

2024

Journal Article

Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

Pourzinal, Dana, Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., Copland, David A., Mitchell, Leander, O'Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. Brain and Behavior, 14 (3) e3454, 1-12. doi: 10.1002/brb3.3454

Hippocampal resting‐state connectivity is associated with posterior‐cortical cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

2024

Journal Article

A physiotherapy group exercise and self-management approach to improve physical activity in people with mild-moderate Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial

Brauer, Sandra G., Lamont, Robyn M. and O’Sullivan, John D. (2024). A physiotherapy group exercise and self-management approach to improve physical activity in people with mild-moderate Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial. Trials, 25 (1) 76, 1-10. doi: 10.1186/s13063-023-07870-4

A physiotherapy group exercise and self-management approach to improve physical activity in people with mild-moderate Parkinson’s disease: a randomized controlled trial

2024

Journal Article

Feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in people with Parkinson’s Disease

Roper, Amy, Brooks, Deborah, Mitchell, Leander K., Pachana, Nancy A., Au, Tiffany R., Byrne, Gerard J., O’Sullivan, John D. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2024). Feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in people with Parkinson’s Disease. Clinical Gerontologist, 1-16. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2024.2306861

Feasibility and acceptability of a videoconferencing CBT intervention for anxiety in people with Parkinson’s Disease

2023

Journal Article

Levetiracetam for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind controlled proof-of-concept trial protocol

Dissanayaka, Nadeeka, Pourzinal, Dana, Byrne, Gerard J., Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., Pontone, Gregory M., O'Sullivan, John D., Adam, Robert, Littleford, Roberta, Chatfield, Mark, Lehn, Alexander, Mari, Zoltan and Bakker, Arnold (2023). Levetiracetam for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind controlled proof-of-concept trial protocol. Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 9 (1) 189, 189. doi: 10.1186/s40814-023-01406-y

Levetiracetam for the treatment of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: a double-blind controlled proof-of-concept trial protocol

2023

Journal Article

Pareidolias are a function of visuoperceptual impairment

McCann, Emily, Lee, Soohyun, Coleman, Felicia, O’Sullivan, John D. and Nestor, Peter J. (2023). Pareidolias are a function of visuoperceptual impairment. PLoS One, 18 (11) e0293942, 1-11. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293942

Pareidolias are a function of visuoperceptual impairment

2023

Journal Article

Longitudinal follow up of data‐driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease

Pourzinal, Dana, Yang, Jihyun, Sivakumaran, Kumareshan, McMahon, Katie L., Mitchell, Leander, O'Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2023). Longitudinal follow up of data‐driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease. Brain and Behavior, 13 (10) e3218, e3218. doi: 10.1002/brb3.3218

Longitudinal follow up of data‐driven cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease

2023

Journal Article

Global assessment, cognitive profile, and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

Yang, Jihyun, Pourzinal, Dana, Byrne, Gerard J., McMahon, Katie L., Copland, David A., O’Sullivan, John D., Mitchell, Leander and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2023). Global assessment, cognitive profile, and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 38 (6) e5955, e5955. doi: 10.1002/gps.5955

Global assessment, cognitive profile, and characteristics of mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease

2023

Conference Publication

Pareidolias are related to visuoperceptual ability

McCann, Emily, Lee, Soohyun, Coleman, Felicia, O'Sullivan, John and Nestor, Peter (2023). Pareidolias are related to visuoperceptual ability. Australia Dementia Research Forum, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 29 - 31 May 2023.

Pareidolias are related to visuoperceptual ability

2023

Journal Article

A review of RRx-001: a late-stage multi-indication inhibitor of NLRP3 activation and chronic inflammation

Jayabalan, Nanthini, Oronsky, Bryan, Cabrales, Pedro, Reid, Tony, Caroen, Scott, Johnson, Aishwarya M., Birch, Natalia A., O’Sullivan, John D. and Gordon, Richard (2023). A review of RRx-001: a late-stage multi-indication inhibitor of NLRP3 activation and chronic inflammation. Drugs, 83 (5), 389-402. doi: 10.1007/s40265-023-01838-z

A review of RRx-001: a late-stage multi-indication inhibitor of NLRP3 activation and chronic inflammation

2023

Conference Publication

Case Study: Patient HL, Parkinson’s Disease

McCann, Emily, Lee, Soohyun, Coleman, Felicia, O'Sullivan, John and Nestor, Peter (2023). Case Study: Patient HL, Parkinson’s Disease. Cognition and Basal Ganglia Club, Brisbane, QLD Australia, March 2023.

Case Study: Patient HL, Parkinson’s Disease

2023

Conference Publication

Pareidolias as misperceptions in Lewy Body Disorders

McCann, Emily, Lee, Soohyun, Coleman, Felicia, O'Sullivan, John and Nestor, Peter (2023). Pareidolias as misperceptions in Lewy Body Disorders. Clem Jones Centre for Ageing and Dementia Research (CJCADR) Scientific Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 9 February 2023.

Pareidolias as misperceptions in Lewy Body Disorders

2022

Conference Publication

Update on TRIP: Therapy to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease proof of concept trial

Pourzinal, D., Bakker, A., Byrne, G.J., McMahon, K., 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. (2022). Update on TRIP: Therapy to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease proof of concept trial. UQ Centre for Clinical Research HDR Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 24 November 2022.

Update on TRIP: Therapy to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease proof of concept trial

2022

Journal Article

Semantic fluency deficits and associated brain activity in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment

Yang, Jihyun, McMahon, Katie L., Copland, David A., Pourzinal, Dana, Byrne, Gerard J., Angwin, Anthony J., O’Sullivan, John D. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N (2022). Semantic fluency deficits and associated brain activity in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 16 (6), 1-12. doi: 10.1007/s11682-022-00698-7

Semantic fluency deficits and associated brain activity in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment

2022

Conference Publication

A Novel Role for Glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) in Parkinson's Disease

Jayabalan, Nanthini, Roper, Katherine Kerry, Woodhouse, Helen M., Adam, Robert J., O'Sullivan, John D. and Gordon, Richard (2022). A Novel Role for Glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) in Parkinson's Disease. Experimental Biology Meeting 2022, Philadelphia, PA United States, 2-5 April 2022. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R5391

A Novel Role for Glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) in Parkinson's Disease

2022

Conference Publication

LC-MS based urine metabolomic profiling indicate altered gut microbiome and host lipid metabolites in Parkinson's disease

Jewell, Shannon, Roper, Kerry, Woodhouse, Helen, Adam, Robert, O'Sullivan, John and Gordon, Richard (2022). LC-MS based urine metabolomic profiling indicate altered gut microbiome and host lipid metabolites in Parkinson's disease. Experimental Biology 2022 Meeting, Philadelphia, PA United States, 2-5 April 2022. Hoboken, NJ United States: John Wiley and Sons. doi: 10.1096/fasebj.2022.36.S1.R2928

LC-MS based urine metabolomic profiling indicate altered gut microbiome and host lipid metabolites in Parkinson's disease

2022

Journal Article

Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease: the role of coping styles and relationship quality

Zhang, Angeline, Mitchell, Leander K., Pachana, Nancy A., Yang, Ji Hyun J., Au, Tiffany R., Byrne, Gerard J., O’Sullivan, John D. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. (2022). Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease: the role of coping styles and relationship quality. International Psychogeriatrics, 34 (7) PII S1041610221002866, 1-8. doi: 10.1017/s1041610221002866

Caring for a loved one with Parkinson’s disease: the role of coping styles and relationship quality

2022

Conference Publication

Update on TRIP: Therapy to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease proof of concept trial

Pourzinal, D., Bakker, A., Byrne, G.J., McMahon, K., 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. (2022). Update on TRIP: Therapy to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease proof of concept trial. UQ Neurosciences Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 26-27 September 2022.

Update on TRIP: Therapy to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson’s disease proof of concept trial

2021

Journal Article

Sodium selenate as a disease-modifying treatment for progressive supranuclear palsy: Protocol for a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Vivash, Lucy, Bertram, Kelly L, Malpas, Charles B, Marotta, Cassandra, Harding, Ian H, Kolbe, Scott, Fielding, Joanne, Clough, Meaghan, Lewis, Simon J G, Tisch, Stephen, Evans, Andrew H, O'Sullivan, John D, Kimber, Thomas, Darby, David, Churilov, Leonid, Law, Meng, Hovens, Christopher M, Velakoulis, Dennis and O'Brien, Terence J (2021). Sodium selenate as a disease-modifying treatment for progressive supranuclear palsy: Protocol for a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. BMJ Open, 11 (12) e055019, e055019. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055019

Sodium selenate as a disease-modifying treatment for progressive supranuclear palsy: Protocol for a phase 2, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Funding

Current funding

  • 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
    Evaluation of noval disease-modifying therapeutics for Parkinson's disease (The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research Project led by QUT)
    Queensland University of Technology
    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 - 2027
    Enhancing utility of neuropsychological evaluation for earlier and effective diagnosis of dementia in Parkinson's disease
    NHMRC MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Mining the inflammasome-gut microbiome axis to uncover new biomarkers and therapeutic targets for Parkinson's disease
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2025
    Validating Magnetic Resonance diagnosis in Parkinson's Disease
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2022 - 2026
    Gilchrist Family Parkinson's Research Program
    Research Donation Generic
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2025
    Sodium Selenate as a Disease Modifying Treatment for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (Sodium Selenate for PSP) (MRFF RCRDUN Neurological Disorders Grant administered by Monash University)
    Monash University
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 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 - 2023
    Validating the functional role of the pathogenic microbiome metabolite Trimethylamine (TMA) at the gut-brain axis in Parkinson's disease
    The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research
    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
  • 2021 - 2022
    Uncovering a novel therapeutic target to reduce dementia risk in Parkinson's disease (TRIP study)
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    A randomised placebo-controlled crossover trial of micronised resveratrol as a treatment for Friedreich ataxia
    Murdoch Childrens Research Institute
    Open grant
  • 2019 - 2022
    Pharmacological targeting of inflammasome activation mechanisms in synuclein models of Parkinson's disease
    The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Targeting peripheral inflammatory pathology in Parkinson's disease using repurposed drugs
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    A randomised controlled trial, of N-Acetyl Cysteine, for premanifest Huntingtin gene expansion carriers (NAC-preHD) (MRFF LCTRC administered by University of Sydney)
    University of Sydney
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Sleep measurements in Friedreich's ataxia, Huntington's disease patients and healthy volunteers
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2019
    Virtual reality innovation to treat anxiety in patients with cognitive impairment and Parkinson's Disease
    Metro North Hospital and Health Service
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Therapeutic switching of a licensed oncology drug to target neuropathology in Parkinson's disease
    The Cure Parkinson's Trust
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2019
    Defining inflammatory biomarkers in motor neuron disease patients to assist in clinical trial efficiency of the C5aR antagonist PMX205
    Wesley Medical Research Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    The Queensland Drug Repurposing Initiative
    Queensland Government Advance Queensland Innovation Partnerships
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2018
    Pharmacological Targeting of Proinflammatory Kinase Signalling in Parkinson's disease
    The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinsons Research
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2017
    Cognitive behaviour therapy for anxiety in Parkinson's disease: outcomes for patients and caregivers
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2017
    Complement activation as a therapeutic target and clinical biomarker for Parkinson's disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    Mindfulness therapy for depression, anxiety, motor and cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson's disease
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Developing a non-invasive composite measure to enhance accuracy of identifying anxiety in Parkinson's disease
    Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2014
    Characterising anxiety in Parkinson's disease: A psycholinguistic and psychophysiology study comparing to anxious older adults
    Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2012 - 2013
    Improving diagnostic methods of anxiety disorders in Parkinson's disease: Phase 2
    Royal Brisbane & Women's Hospital Research Foundation
    Open grant
  • 2011 - 2013
    Therapeutic Targeting of Complement C5a Receptors in Huntington's Disease
    NHMRC Project Grant
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor John O'Sullivan is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Master Philosophy

    Digital symptom tracking - using digital tools for measuring and tracking motor, cognitive, and speech changes

    Associate Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    The evolution of cognitive deficits in Lewy body disorders and related degenerative diseases.

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Peter Nestor

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

Contact Associate Professor John O'Sullivan directly for media enquiries about:

  • Botulinum toxin
  • Dystonia
  • Huntington's disease
  • Movement disorders
  • Parkinson's disease

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communications@uq.edu.au