
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
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.
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.
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.
2017
Conference Publication
Understanding neural activation in semantic fluency 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). Understanding neural activation in semantic fluency in Parkinson’s disease with mild cognitive impairment. The Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand Scientific Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 22 September 2017.
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. The Movement Disorder Society of Australia and New Zealand Scientific Conference, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 22 September 2017.
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. Centre for Advanced Imaging 4th Annual Symposium, Brisbane, Australia, 29 September 2017.
2016
Journal Article
Cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: outcomes for patients and caregivers
Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. W., Pye, Deidre, Mitchell, Leander K., Byrne, Gerard J., O'Sullivan, John D., Marsh, Rodney and Pachana, Nancy A. (2016). Cognitive behavior therapy for anxiety in Parkinson’s disease: outcomes for patients and caregivers. Clinical Gerontologist, 40 (3), 159-171. doi: 10.1080/07317115.2016.1240131
2016
Journal Article
Management of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease
Zhang, Susan, Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N., Dawson, Andrew, O’Sullivan, John D., Mosley, Philip, Hall, Wayne and Carter, Adrian (2016). Management of impulse control disorders in Parkinson's disease. International Psychogeriatrics, 28 (10), 1597-1614. doi: 10.1017/S104161021600096X
2016
Journal Article
Disease-specific anxiety symptomatology in Parkinson's disease
Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. W., O'Sullivan, John D., Pachana, Nancy A., Marsh, Rodney, Silburn, Peter A., White, Elizabeth X., Torbey, Elizabeth, Mellick, George D., Copland, David A. and Byrne, Gerard J. (2016). Disease-specific anxiety symptomatology in Parkinson's disease. International Psychogeriatrics, 28 (7), 1-11. doi: 10.1017/S1041610215002410
2016
Conference Publication
Tailored Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to combat anxiety in Parkinson’s disease
Dissanayaka, N., Pye, D., Mitchell, L., Byrne, G., O'Sullivan, J., Marsh, R. and Pachana, N. (2016). Tailored Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to combat anxiety in Parkinson’s disease. 8th World Congress of Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies, Melbourne, VIC Australia, 22-23 June 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Mindfulness Intervention for motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease
Idu Jion, F., Dissanayaka, N., Harnett, P., O'Sullivan, J. and Pachana, N. (2016). Mindfulness Intervention for motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. 7th Singapore International Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders Symposium, Singapore, 29 September - 1 October 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
The association between anxiety and cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease
Toft, A., O'Sullivan, J., Marsh, R., Silburn, P., Mellick, G., Byrne, G. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2016). The association between anxiety and cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease. 7th International Postgraduate Symposium in Biomedical Science, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 31 October - 1 November, 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Mindfulness Intervention for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease
Idu Jion, F., Harnett, P., Pachana, N. A., O’Sullivan, J. D., Marsh, R., Byrne, G. J. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2016). Mindfulness Intervention for Motor and Non-Motor Symptoms of Parkinson's Disease. 25th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12-16 September 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Improving Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety in Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease (IDATA-PD STUDY)
Dissanayaka, N. N. W., Pachana, N. A., O'Sullivan, J. D., Marsh, R., Silburn, P. A., White, E. X., Torbey, E., Pye, D. and Mitchell, L. K. (2016). Improving Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety in Older Adults with Parkinson’s Disease (IDATA-PD STUDY). 25th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12-16 September 2016.
2016
Journal Article
Mindfulness for motor and nonmotor dysfunctions in Parkinson’s Disease
Dissanayaka, Nadeeka N. W., Idu Jion, Farah, Pachana, Nancy A., O'Sullivan, John D., Marsh, Rodney, Byrne, Gerard J. and Harnett, Paul (2016). Mindfulness for motor and nonmotor dysfunctions in Parkinson’s Disease. Parkinson’s Disease, 2016 7109052, 7109052.1-7109052.13. doi: 10.1155/2016/7109052
2016
Conference Publication
Tailored Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Combat Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease
Dissanayaka, N. N. W., Pye, D., Mitchell, L. K., Byrne, G. J., O'Sullivan, J. D., Marsh, R. and Pachana, N. A. (2016). Tailored Cognitive Behaviour Therapy to Combat Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease. 25th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12-16 September 2016.
2016
Conference Publication
Emotional Inhibition In Parkinson’s Disease: An EEG Study
Hennessy, D., Au, T. R., Angwin, A. J., Yang, J. H., Copland, D. A., O'Sullivan, J. D. and Dissanayaka, N. N. W. (2016). Emotional Inhibition In Parkinson’s Disease: An EEG Study. 25th Annual RBWH Healthcare Symposium, Brisbane, QLD Australia, 12-16 September 2016.
2016
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. (2016). Improving Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety in Parkinson’s Disease: IDATA-PD study. Australia and New Zealand Association of Neurologists (ANZAN) Annual Scientic Meeting, Perth, WA Australia, 24-27 May 2016.
2015
Journal Article
Altered expression of metabolic proteins and adipokines in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Ngo, S. T., Steyn, F. J., Huang, L., Mantovani, S., Pfluger, C. M. M., Woodruff, T. M., O'Sullivan, J. D., Henderson, R. D. and McCombe, P. A. (2015). Altered expression of metabolic proteins and adipokines in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 357 (1-2), 22-27. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.053
2015
Journal Article
Expert Consensus Group report on the use of apomorphine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease - Clinical practice recommendations
Trenkwalder, Claudia., Chaudhuri, K. Ray., Garcia Ruiz, Pedro J., LeWitt, Peter., Katzenschlager, Regina., Sixel-Doring, Friederike., Henriksen, Tove., Sesar, Angel., Poewe, Werner., Baker, Mary., Ceballos-Baumann, Andres., Gunther, Deuschl., Drapier, Sophie., Ebersbach, Georg., Evans, Andrew., Fernandez, Hubert., Isaacson, Stuart., van Laar, Teus., Lees, Andrew., Lewis, Simon., Castrillo, Juan Carlos Martinez., Martinez-Martin, Pablo., Odin, Per., O'Sullivan, John., Tagaris, Georgios. and Wenzel, Karoline. (2015). Expert Consensus Group report on the use of apomorphine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease - Clinical practice recommendations. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, 21 (9), 1023-1030. doi: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2015.06.012
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
-
Doctor Philosophy
The evolution of cognitive deficits in Lewy body disorders and related degenerative diseases.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Peter Nestor
-
Master Philosophy
Digital symptom tracking - using digital tools for measuring and tracking motor, cognitive, and speech changes
Associate Advisor
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: