Sleep issues including reduced sleep efficiency and excessive daytime sleepiness are common symptoms for people living with Parkinson’s.

For our June Virtual Research Forum Beatrix Karoline Feigl, MD, PhD, from the Queensland University of Technology joins us to present on  Photoreceptor-directed Light Therapy in Parkinson’s Disease. While studies using different methodologies of bright light delivery have shown beneficial effects of light on sleep and motor behaviour, the pathomechanisms as to why light is effective are not known.

The aim of this research is to demonstrate the positive effect of melanopsin-directed lighting on non-motor (sleep and circadian) and motor (gait, balance, tremor) symptoms.

This is a joint funded study between Shake It Up Australia Foundation and The Michael J. Fox Foundation.

If you missed the presentation you can listen to the presentation below

If you are interested in participating in this clinical trial please email  light4pd@qut.edu.au