Mei Kirby on Circadian Dysfunction and Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson Disease #dementiaresearch

Our @ukdementiaresearchinstitute Connectome series continues with a poster Mei Kirby at UKDRI Imperial. Her work investigates how circadian rhythms are disrupted in people living with Parkinson disease and explores whether deep brain stimulation can help stabilise daily cycles of sleep, activity and vigilance. The poster describes a combined approach that includes at home sensor monitoring, detailed sleep lab assessments and a stimulation protocol designed to modulate circadian timing. Mei outlines the main contributors to circadian disruption in Parkinson disease, including changes in sleep structure, reduced activity patterns and altered light exposure. The study integrates measures such as core body temperature, heart rate, mobility, home light readings, EEG and blood based markers to build a complete picture of rhythm stability. Early data from the trial suggests that deep brain stimulation may influence circadian alignment in some participants, with changes seen in rest activity rhythms and selected physiological measures. The design also demonstrates how continuous at home monitoring can offer a realistic view of daily life patterns and symptom impact. This work highlights the importance of circadian health in Parkinson disease and opens the door to new treatment strategies that support rhythm based wellbeing. More posters from the series will follow.