Parkinson’s disease

In Manchester we host one of the largest deep brain stimulation research programmes worldwide, using pioneering imaging and brain recording techniques to improve the treatment and understanding of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders.

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. Every hour, someone in the UK is told they have Parkinson’s disease. There is currently no definitive diagnostic test and no cure. Research into treatments is vital to enable a cure.

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive nervous system disorder that affects movement. Generally, symptoms are first noticed as disorders of movement, such as a resting tremor and slowness of movement. However, Parkinson’s will often include other symptoms, with non-motor symptoms including cognitive impairment and pain.

Key people

Our research

Our Parkinson’s disease research spans the full pathway from understanding how the condition develops, to improving diagnosis and developing better treatments. By studying how the brain controls movement and how these processes are disrupted in Parkinson’s disease, we are gaining new insights into the biological changes that drive symptoms. Using techniques such as recording brain activity during movement and walking, we aim to identify new opportunities for intervention and treatment.

This work also supports the development of earlier and more accurate diagnosis. We are investigating biomarkers that could form the basis of a non-invasive diagnostic test capable of identifying Parkinson’s disease before physical symptoms become apparent. We have also pioneered a simple skin swab test, inspired by the observations of Joy Milne, a retired nurse from Edinburgh who demonstrated an ability to detect Parkinson’s disease through smell.

Alongside improving our understanding and diagnosis of the condition, we are working to enhance treatment options for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Our researchers are leading advances in deep brain stimulation (DBS), with the Greater Manchester DBS programme led by Professor Monty Silverdale, and are running a range of clinical trials to evaluate promising new drug therapies. We are also investigating non-motor symptoms, including pain, which is common but often overlooked, to ensure that future treatments address the full impact of the disease on patients’ lives.