Life-changing research at the Royal Adelaide Hospital is helping people with Parkinson’s disease live more comfortable, satisfying and active lives.
Associate Professor Thomas Kimber is the Clinical Lead of the Movement Disorders Service (Central Adelaide Local Health Network) and Head of the Neurology Unit’s Movement Disorders clinical research program.
His vital research focuses on Parkinson’s disease and related conditions that have a major impact on the person’s ability to move (motor control).
“We have been involved in many multi-centre clinical trials of potential new therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Some of these clinical trials have helped establish the effectiveness of treatments that are now used in routine clinical practice.”
Associate Professor Kimber says patients who volunteer for clinical trials are very inspiring, saying, “While they are aware that the treatments they are helping to ‘test’ may, or may not, help them personally, they also want to help others. I hope I play a part in helping my patients lead more comfortable, satisfying and active lives. To do so is a great privilege.”
He adds “Recent research has provided a greater understanding of the underlying mechanistic basis of Parkinson’s disease (ie. what’s “going wrong” in the brain cells to cause the condition). Research has also shone a light on disease biomarkers and early warning symptoms that confer a greater risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the future.
These advances will allow us to start testing therapies that may, hopefully, slow down disease progression in people who have Parkinson’s, and even help delay or prevent the condition in people who are at risk.”
April is Parkinson’s Awareness Month with World Parkinson’s Day recognised on 11 April every year.
The RAH Research Fund proudly supports this vital Parkinson’s research. You can find out more about Associate Professor Kimber and his research work here.
