Overview
Background
Stefan is a Staff Specialist in Neurology at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) and the Mater Centre for Neuroscience. He finished his training as neurologist in 2012.
He runs dedicated multiple sclerosis (MS) and Neuroimmunology clinics at the PAH, leading in modern MS therapies. Moreover, he has been at the forefront of advancing the field of neuroimmunology in Queensland, with establishment of dedicated neuroimmunology outpatient clinics at the RBWH and PAH, combining expertise from neurologists and immunologists in the care of this very complex group of disorders.
In addition to his busy, full-time clinical workload, Stefan has been involved as PI or CI in a range of clinical trials in the fields of MS, botulinum toxin, CIDP and Pompe’s disease. Additionally, he has performed and is involved in ongoing research projects of neuroimmunological disorders such as neuromyelitis optica, myasthenia gravis and autoimmune limbic encephalitis. He has been a member of the New Horizons study to assess prevalence of anti-neuronal antibodies in patients with new onset psychosis.
Prior to this, Stefan finished a PhD in the field of ‘Immunogenetics of Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy’ at the University of Queensland in 2014. He also completed a doctoral thesis at the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 2002 in the field of T cell immunology. During this time, he has developed solid skills in bench-side immunological research.
Currently, he is neurological lead in a diverse group of clinicians and scientists investigating the role of antineuronal antibodies in neurological and psychiatric disease. He supervises 3 PhD students in the field of advanced imaging in autoimmune encephalitis and multiple sclerosis. He is currently building up a laboratory to test antineuronal antibodies using live cell assays.
Availability
- Associate Professor Stefan Blum is:
- Available for supervision
Fields of research
Research interests
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Neuronal cell surface antibodies in neurological and psychiatric disease
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Social cognition in Multiple Sclerosis
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The role of low dose Rituximab in autoimmune neurological disease
Research impacts
Stefan has been medical advisor and organiser of conferences of the national myasthenia gravis association. He is neurological advisor of the state-wide blood product services regarding use of immunoglobulins in neuroimmunological disorders. He is involved in the organisation of the International Society of Neuroimmunology Conference in Brisbane 2018. He is secretary of Neuroimmunology Australia, a national group of clinicians and researchers in the field of neuroimmunology. He was lead clinician in the development of referral guidelines for state-wide referral guidelines to Queensland Health Neurology services (CPC). He has been involved for many years in the education of medical student and young doctors, winning several teaching awards.
Works
Search Professor Stefan Blum’s works on UQ eSpace
2017
Conference Publication
A rare case of csf xanthochromia due to severe disc protrusion resulting in froin’s syndrome
Singh, Gaurav, Swayne, Andrew, Blum, Stefan, Lehn, Alex, Brown, Helen and O’Gorman, Cullen (2017). A rare case of csf xanthochromia due to severe disc protrusion resulting in froin’s syndrome. ANZAN 2017, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 9 - 12 May 2017. London, United Kingdom: BMJ. doi: 10.1136/jnnp-2017-316074.74
2016
Journal Article
Cognitive and social functioning deficits after anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: an exploratory case series
McKeon, Gemma L., Scott, James G., Spooner, Donna M., Ryan, Alexander E., Blum, Stefan, Gillis, David, Langguth, Daman and Robinson, Gail A. (2016). Cognitive and social functioning deficits after anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis: an exploratory case series. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 22 (8), 828-838. doi: 10.1017/S1355617716000679
2016
Journal Article
iPad colour vision apps for dyschromatopsia screening
Campbell, Thomas Gordon, Lehn, Alexander, Blum, Stefan, Airey, Caroline and Brown, Helen (2016). iPad colour vision apps for dyschromatopsia screening. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 29, 92-94. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.10.042
2016
Journal Article
A case series of patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis in association with invasive thymoma
McCombe, Pamela, Raj, Meenakshi, Henderson, Robert and Blum, Stefan (2016). A case series of patients with autoimmune myasthenia gravis in association with invasive thymoma. Journal of Clinical Neuromuscular Disease, 17 (3), 129-134. doi: 10.1097/CND.0000000000000101
2016
Journal Article
Autoimmune encephalitis
Newman, M. P., Blum, S., Wong, R.C.W., Scott, J.G., Prain, K., Wilson, R.J. and Gillis, D. (2016). Autoimmune encephalitis. Internal Medicine Journal, 46 (2), 148-157. doi: 10.1111/imj.12974
2016
Conference Publication
The prevalence of autoimmune encephalitis in patients presenting with first-episode psychosis
Scott, J. G., Gillis, D., Hargovan, H., Gundarpi, N., Ryan, A., Prain, K., Newman, M., Wong R, R., Parry, P. and Blum, S. (2016). The prevalence of autoimmune encephalitis in patients presenting with first-episode psychosis. RANZCP 2016 Congress, Hong Kong, 8-12 May 2016. London, United Kingdom: Sage Publications.
2015
Journal Article
The frequencies of Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their HLA ligands in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy are similar to those in Guillian Barre syndrome but differ from those of controls, suggesting a role for NK cells in
Blum, Stefan, Csurhes, Peter and McCombe, Pamela (2015). The frequencies of Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their HLA ligands in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy are similar to those in Guillian Barre syndrome but differ from those of controls, suggesting a role for NK cells in. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 285, 53-56. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2015.05.017
2015
Journal Article
Clinical features and impact of myasthenia gravis disease in Australian patients
Blum, Stefan, Lee, David, Gillis, David, McEniery, David F., Reddel, Stephen and McCombe, Pamela (2015). Clinical features and impact of myasthenia gravis disease in Australian patients. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience, 22 (7), 1164-1169. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2015.01.022
2014
Other Outputs
Immunogenetic studies of Guillain - Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy
Blum, Stefan (2014). Immunogenetic studies of Guillain - Barré syndrome and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. PhD Thesis, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland. doi: 10.14264/uql.2014.370
2014
Journal Article
The tibialis anterior response revisited
Lehn, Alexander C., Dionisio, Sasha, Airey, Caroline A., Brown, Helen, Blum, Stefan and Henderson, Robert (2014). The tibialis anterior response revisited. Journal of Neurology, 261 (7), 1340-1343. doi: 10.1007/s00415-014-7329-4
2014
Journal Article
Genetics of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): current knowledge and future directions
Blum, Stefan and McCombe, Pamela A. (2014). Genetics of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP): current knowledge and future directions. Journal of the Peripheral Nervous System, 19 (2), 88-103. doi: 10.1111/jns5.12074
2014
Conference Publication
Characteristics of aquaporin 4 antibodies associated with lesions of the area postrema
Blum, Stefan, Prain, Kerri, Swayne, Andrew, Chong, Victor, Wong, Richard, Gillis, David and Wilson, Bob (2014). Characteristics of aquaporin 4 antibodies associated with lesions of the area postrema. ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting 2014, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, May 2014. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2014.06.023
2014
Conference Publication
Cardiac effects of high-dose fingolimod ingestion
Sheikh, Nabeel, McCombe, Pamela and Blum, Stefan (2014). Cardiac effects of high-dose fingolimod ingestion. ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting 2014, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, May 2014. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2014.06.094
2014
Journal Article
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré Syndrome
Blum, Stefan, Csurhes, Peter, Reddel, Stephen, Spies, Judy and McCombe, Pamela (2014). Killer immunoglobulin-like receptor and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré Syndrome. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 267 (1-2), 92-96. doi: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2013.12.007
2014
Journal Article
Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive cases beyond current diagnostic criteria for NMO spectrum disorders
Blum, Stefan, Wilson, Bob, Prain, Kerri, Wong, Richard, Gills, David, Sato, Douglas K., Takahashi, Toshiyuki and Fujihara, Kazuo (2014). Aquaporin-4 antibody-positive cases beyond current diagnostic criteria for NMO spectrum disorders. Neurology, 82 (4), 372-372. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000000005
2014
Conference Publication
Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré syndrome
Blum, Stefan, Csurhes, Peter, Reddel, Stephen, Spies, Judy and McCombe, Pamela (2014). Killer immunoglobulin-like receptors and their HLA ligands in Guillain-Barré syndrome. ANZAN Annual Scientific Meeting 2014, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, May 2014. Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.jocn.2014.06.032
2013
Journal Article
Clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome at seven hospitals on the east coast of Australia
Blum, Stefan, Reddel, Stephen, Spies, Judy and McCombe, Pamela (2013). Clinical features of patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome at seven hospitals on the east coast of Australia. Journal of The Peripheral Nervous System, 18 (4), 316-320. doi: 10.1111/jns5.12045
2013
Journal Article
Erratum: Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy (Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2013) 53 (314-317))
Ioannides, Z. A., Airey, C., Fagermo, N., Blum, S., McCombe, P. A. and Henderson, R. J. (2013). Erratum: Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy (Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2013) 53 (314-317)). Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 53 (4). doi: 10.1111/ajo.12121
2013
Journal Article
Managing the generalised tonic-clonic seizure and preventing progress to status epilepticus: a stepwise approach
Dionisio, S., Brown, H., Boyle, R. and Blum, S. (2013). Managing the generalised tonic-clonic seizure and preventing progress to status epilepticus: a stepwise approach. Internal Medicine Journal, 43 (7), 739-746. doi: 10.1111/imj.12168
2013
Journal Article
Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy
Ioannides, Zara A., Airey, Caroline, Fagermo, Narelle, Blum, Stefan, McCombe, Pamela A. and Henderson, Robert J. (2013). Susac syndrome and multifocal motor neuropathy first manifesting in pregnancy. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 53 (3), 314-317. doi: 10.1111/ajo.12069
Funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Stefan Blum is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Studies of myasthenia gravis using MGBase.
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pamela McCombe
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Doctor Philosophy
Utilising multimodal MRI to model disease activity before and after highly active disease modifying therapy in newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis.
Principal Advisor
Completed supervision
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Multimodal evaluation of autoimmune encephalitis in Queensland
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Pamela McCombe
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Psychiatric clinical decision making in anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Steve Kisely, Professor Dan Siskind
Media
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