
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
Fields of research
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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
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
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.
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
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor John O'Sullivan is:
- Available for supervision
Before you email them, read our advice on how to contact a supervisor.
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
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Cognitive subtypes in Parkinson's disease: exploring phenotypes, neuroimaging targets, and therapeutics
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Gerard Byrne, Dr Ji Hyun Julia Yang, Professor Nadeeka Dissanayaka
-
2008
Doctor Philosophy
Depression in Parkinson's disease: assessment methods and risk factors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Emeritus Professor Michael Roberts
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor John O'Sullivan directly for media enquiries about:
- Botulinum toxin
- Dystonia
- Huntington's disease
- Movement disorders
- Parkinson's disease
Need help?
For help with finding experts, story ideas and media enquiries, contact our Media team: