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Research

Research projects currently in progress at Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are:

1. Improving diagnosis in Parkinsonian Conditions with High resolution MRI and Sleep study
Collaborating with Academic Radiology colleagues at Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham, we are working to develop a radiological biomarker for the diagnosis of Parkinsonian pathology using specific MRI sequences at High Resolution at 3Tesla. This study is funded through a grant from The Sarah Matheson Trust and Special Trustees of Nottingham University Hospital. The data analysis from this study so far has led to a successful platform presentation at the Autumn meeting of the Association of British Neurologists in London 2007 and an abstract publication in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. A scientific paper is currently being drafted.

2. PDT409
A multicentre, randomised, open label, comparative Phase 4 trial to assess changes in clinical management after DaTSCAN SPECT imaging of subjects with clinically uncertain parkinsonism.
This study is supported by GE Healthcare. The main tools used in this study are clinical examination, Quality of life and Health Resource usage surveys and DaTSCAN SPECT Imaging to help diagnose cases with incomplete signs and symptoms of Parkinsonism.

3.A multi-centre pilot observational study to assess the role of DaTSCAN SPECT imaging (GE Healthcare), olfactory assessment and accelerometry in the evaluation of postural tremor with parkinsonism (PTwP). Utilizing the above three investigations, this study is aimed at resolving the diagnostic challenges posed by certain very tremoulous patients who may have Parkinson’s disease or a benign tremor. We have started the recruitment, data collection and database management. This study is funded by an independent investigator grant from GE healthcare.

4. A prospective pilot single-centre study to explore the effectiveness of a specialist in-patient Parkinson's Disease unit (SPDU) for urgent Parkinson's admissions compared to usual care.
This study has been funded by Parkinson's UK. It is due to start recruiting in March 2012. Patients with Parkinson's Disease admitted urgently to Royal Derby Hospital may be asked to take part.

If you are interested in any further details of these research studies, please contact Secretary to Dr Bajaj’s team at Derbyshire Royal Infirmary on Extension 4890.