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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

241 works between 1988 and 2025

61 - 80 of 241 works

2019

Conference Publication

Identifying altered resting-state network in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment

Yang, J. H., McMahon, K. L., Copland, D. A., Byrne, G. J., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2019). Identifying altered resting-state network in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment. 23rd Annual Meeting of the Organisation for Human Brain Mapping, Rome, Italy, 9-13 June 2019.

Identifying altered resting-state network in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment

2018

Journal Article

A novel Parkinson's disease risk variant, p. W378R, in the Gaucher's disease GBA gene

Lubomski, Michal, Hayes, Michael, Kennerson, Marina, Ellis, Melina, Chu, Shannon, Blackie, Jeffrey, O'Sullivan, John D. and Nicholson, Garth (2018). A novel Parkinson's disease risk variant, p. W378R, in the Gaucher's disease GBA gene. Movement Disorders, 33 (10), 1662-1664. doi: 10.1002/mds.106

A novel Parkinson's disease risk variant, p. W378R, in the Gaucher's disease GBA gene

2018

Journal Article

Energization and spoken language production: evidence from progressive supranuclear palsy

Barker, Megan S., Nelson, Nicole L., O'Sullivan, John D., Adam, Robert and Robinson, Gail A. (2018). Energization and spoken language production: evidence from progressive supranuclear palsy. Neuropsychologia, 119, 349-362. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2018.09.004

Energization and spoken language production: evidence from progressive supranuclear palsy

2018

Journal Article

An overview of sleep and circadian dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

Mantovani, Susanna, Smith, Simon S., Gordon, Richard and O'Sullivan, John D. (2018). An overview of sleep and circadian dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Journal of Sleep Research, 27 (3) e12673, e12673. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12673

An overview of sleep and circadian dysfunction in Parkinson's disease

2018

Conference Publication

Characteristics of advanced parkinson’s disease patients seen in movement disorder clinics – Australian results from the cross-sectional observe study

Evans, Andrew, Fung, Victor S. C., O'Sullivan, John, Stell, Rick, White, Richard, Williams, David and Onuk, Koray (2018). Characteristics of advanced parkinson’s disease patients seen in movement disorder clinics – Australian results from the cross-sectional observe study. Annual Scientific Meeting of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN), Darwin, Australia, 29 May-1 June 2018 . London, United Kingdom: BMJ Group. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2018-ANZAN.25

Characteristics of advanced parkinson’s disease patients seen in movement disorder clinics – Australian results from the cross-sectional observe study

2018

Conference Publication

Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia

Yang, J. H., McMahon, K. L., Copland, D. A., Byrne, G. J., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2018). Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia. NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum, Sydney, NSW Australia, 4-5 June 2018.

Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia

2018

Conference Publication

Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia

Yang, J. H., McMahon, K. L., Copland, D. A., Byrne, G. J., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2018). Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia. 8th Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 22-25 November 2018.

Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia

2018

Journal Article

How well do caregivers detect depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease?

Kua, Zhong Jie, Pachana, Nancy A., Byrne, Gerard J., O’Sullivan, John D., Rodney, Marsh, Torbey, Elizabeth, Silburn, Peter A., Mellick, George D. and Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. W. (2018). How well do caregivers detect depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease?. Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology, 31 (5), 089198871878864-236. doi: 10.1177/0891988718788641

How well do caregivers detect depression and anxiety in patients with Parkinson disease?

2018

Conference Publication

Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia

Yang, J. H., McMahon, K. L., Copland, D. A., Byrne, G. J., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2018). Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia. Imaging@Brisbane 2018, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 22-24 August 2018.

Altered network connectivity during resting state in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment as a marker for dementia

2017

Journal Article

Stepwise partitioning of Xp21: a profiling method for XK deletions causative of the McLeod syndrome

Gassner, Christoph, Brönnimann, Chantal, Merki, Yvonne, Mattle-Greminger, Maja P., Sigurdardottir, Sonja, Meyer, Eduardo, Engström, Charlotte, O'Sullivan, John D., Jung, Hans H. and Frey, Beat M. (2017). Stepwise partitioning of Xp21: a profiling method for XK deletions causative of the McLeod syndrome. Transfusion, 57 (9), 2125-2135. doi: 10.1111/trf.14172

Stepwise partitioning of Xp21: a profiling method for XK deletions causative of the McLeod syndrome

2017

Journal Article

N400 and emotional word processing in Parkinson's disease

Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. W., Au, Tiffany R., Angwin, Anthony J., O’Sullivan, John D., Byrne, Gerard J., Silburn, Peter A., Rodney Marsh, Mellick, George D. and Copland, David A. (2017). N400 and emotional word processing in Parkinson's disease. Neuropsychology, 31 (6), 585-595. doi: 10.1037/neu0000333

N400 and emotional word processing in Parkinson's disease

2017

Journal Article

Practical approaches to commencing device-assisted therapies for Parkinson's disease in Australia

Williams, David R., Evans, Andrew H., Fung, Victor S., Hayes, Michael, Iansek, Robert, Kimber, Thomas, O'Sullivan, John D. and Sue, Carolyn M. (2017). Practical approaches to commencing device-assisted therapies for Parkinson's disease in Australia. Internal Medicine Journal, 47 (10), 1107-1113. doi: 10.1111/imj.13398

Practical approaches to commencing device-assisted therapies for Parkinson's disease in Australia

2017

Conference Publication

A case-control spectral analysis of sleep in Friedreich's Ataxia

Forbes, R., Smith, S. S., Ritchie, A., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Mantovani, S. (2017). A case-control spectral analysis of sleep in Friedreich's Ataxia. World Sleep 2017, Prague, Czech Republic, 7-11 October 2017. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2017.11.611

A case-control spectral analysis of sleep in Friedreich's Ataxia

2017

Conference Publication

Altered attention brain network in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment

Yang, J. H., McMahon, K . L., Copland, D. A., Byrne, G. J., Toft, A. J. H., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2017). Altered attention brain network in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment. International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Vancouver, BC Canada, 4-8 June 2017. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell.

Altered attention brain network in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment

2017

Conference Publication

Validity and reliability of anxiety and neuroticism assessment in Parkinson’s disease

Pachana, N., Torbey, E., O'Sullivan, J., Marsh, R., Silburn, P., Mellick, G., Byrne, G. and Dissanayaka, N. (2017). Validity and reliability of anxiety and neuroticism assessment in Parkinson’s disease. Stress and Anxiety Research Society 38th Annual Meeting 2017, Pokfulan, Hong Kong, 5-7 July 2017.

Validity and reliability of anxiety and neuroticism assessment in Parkinson’s disease

2017

Conference Publication

Electrophysiological markers for emotional and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease

Dissanayaka, N., Au, T., Angwin, A., O’Sullivan, J., Byrne, G., Silburn, P., Marsh, R., Mellick, G. and Copland, D. (2017). Electrophysiological markers for emotional and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease. International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 4-8 June 2017.

Electrophysiological markers for emotional and cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease

2017

Conference Publication

Impairments in functional networks linked to attentional deficits in mild cognitive impairment MCI in patients with Parkinson’s disease

Yang, J. H., McMahon, K. L., Copland, D. A., Byrne, G. J., Toft, A. J. H., Rheinberger, T. J., Mitchell, L. K., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2017). Impairments in functional networks linked to attentional deficits in mild cognitive impairment MCI in patients with Parkinson’s disease. 7th Australasian Cognitive Neuroscience Society Conference, Adelaide, SA Australia, 23-26 November 2017.

Impairments in functional networks linked to attentional deficits in mild cognitive impairment MCI in patients with Parkinson’s disease

2017

Conference Publication

Improving diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: IDATA-PD study

Dissanayaka, N., Pachana, N., O’Sullivan, J., Marsh, R., Silburn, P., White, E., Torbey, E., Pye, D., Mitchell, L., Mellick, G., Copland, D. and Byrne, G. (2017). Improving diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: IDATA-PD study. International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Vancouver, BC, Canada, 4-8 June 2017. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley.

Improving diagnosis and treatment of anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: IDATA-PD study

2017

Conference Publication

Anxiety in patients with cognitive impairment and Parkinson’s disease

Dissanayaka, N. N. W., Toft, A., Yang, J. H., Pachana, N., O'Sullivan, J., Mitchell, L., Copland, D. and Byrne, G. (2017). Anxiety in patients with cognitive impairment and Parkinson’s disease. NNIDR Australian Dementia Forum, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 15-17 October, 2017.

Anxiety in patients with cognitive impairment and Parkinson’s disease

2017

Conference Publication

Investigating the Association between Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: A Descriptive Study

Toft, A., Yang, J., Byrne, G., O’Sullivan, J., Mitchell, L., Copland, D. and Dissanayaka, N. (2017). Investigating the Association between Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: A Descriptive Study. International Congress of Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders, Vancouver, BC Canada, 4-8 June 2017. Hoboken, NJ United States: Wiley-Blackwell.

Investigating the Association between Anxiety and Cognitive Impairment in Parkinson’s Disease: A Descriptive Study

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
  • 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

  • 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
  • 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

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

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:

communications@uq.edu.au