![Professor Simon Parson Professor Simon Parson](/img/200x200/staffpages/uploads/s01sp3/SHP_PicSq.jpg)
FAS, FRSB
Regius Chair of Anatomy
- About
-
- Email Address
- simon.parson@abdn.ac.uk
- Telephone Number
- +44 (0)1224 274328
- Office Address
Anatomy Rm 324 Suttie Centre Foresterhill University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3HF
- School/Department
- School of Medicine, Medical Sciences and Nutrition
Biography
BSc Zoology, University of Durham, 1987
PhD Neuroscience, University of Edinburgh, 1990
Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Leeds, 1995
Senior Lecturer in Anatomy, University of Edinburgh, 2006
Professor of Anatomy, University of Aberdeen, 2013
Regius Chair of Anatomy, 2018
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
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All aspects relating to Home Office legislation of anatomical teaching and research
College Teaching and Learning Committee
Division of Medical and Dental Education Executive Committee
Year 1-3 Medical Executive Committees
Medicine Curriculum Steering Group
- External Memberships
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Elected Councillor, Anatomical Society: 2010-2016
Meetings Officer, Anatomical Society: 2011- 2016
IFAA Programme Secretary: 2018 - 2019
President, Anatomical Society 2019-2022
- Research
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Research Overview
Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Systemic involvement in neurodegeneration, especially of the cardiovascular system
Effects of Hypoxia and ischaemia on the nervous system
Current Research
Spinal muscular Atrophy (SMA) is a childhood form of Motor Neurone Disease. It is caused by a defect in a gene which 1:35 of us carry. When two carriers come together there is a 1:4 chance of producing an affected child. SMA is the second most common genetic cause of infant death, affecting between 1:6-10,000 live births Worldwide. The most severely affected children will never sit unaided and will die before their second birthday. The disease is characterised by a loss of motor neurones and resultant muscle weakness and inability to carry out co-ordinated motor tasks including breathing. The genetic defect is well-characterised and attempts to replace or reduce the severe depletion of the key Survival of Motor Neurone (SMN) protein are ongoing. However, even when protein levels in motor neurones are increased and improvements in motor parameters are reported, survival is not increased.
There is an increasing appreciation that this is not a classical motor neurone disease, but rather a systemic disease in which motor neurones are either most vulnerable or that defects in them are most clinically relevant.
Our research has pioneered significant pre and early symptomatic defects in the cardiovascular system, where the heart, blood vessels and circulating cells are all defective in SMA. We are now particularly interested to determine how this impacts on SMA disease development and progression. This is particularly relevant in the new post- therapeutic landscape, as these were designed to target neuronal defects.
We are currently exploring the extent to which the non-neuronal pathologies described in animal models are also seen in human post-mortem material and are using cellular models to determine the vulnerabilities of SMA cells to hypoxic environments. These will help us to understand and develop novel combinatorial therapies to treat the entirety of SMA pathology in patients.
Most recently, we are exploring similar non-motor pathologies in ALS/ MNDs.
Collaborations
Professor Tom Gillingwater: University of Edinburgh
Dr Tom Wishart: Roslin Institute Edinburgh
Dr Lyndsay Murray: University of Edinburgh
Dr's Francesco Muntoni and Haiyan Zhou: UCL, London
Prof Rashmi Kothary: University of Ottawa, Canada
Prof Charlotte Sumner: John Hopkins University, USA
Funding and Grants
SMA Europe
Anatomical Society
Tenovus Scotland
- Teaching
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Teaching Responsibilities
All aspects of Anatomy teaching to Medical and Science students
- Publications
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Page 1 of 1 Results 1 to 67 of 67
Hepatocyte-intrinsic SMN deficiency drives metabolic dysfunction and liver steatosis in spinal muscular atrophy
The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 134, no. 12, e173702Contributions to Journals: ArticlesInfluencing factors in surgical decision-making: a qualitative analysis of colorectal surgeons' experiences of postoperative complications
Colorectal Disease, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 987-993Contributions to Journals: ArticlesInfluencing factors in surgical decision-making: a qualitative analysis of colorectal surgeons’ experiences of post-operative complications
Colorectal DiseaseContributions to Journals: ArticlesMicrovasculopathy in SMA is driven by a reversible autonomous endothelial cell defect
Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 132, no. 21, e153430Contributions to Journals: ArticlesExploring variation in surgical practice: does the surgeon's personality influence anastomotic decision-making?'
British Journal of Surgery, vol. 109, no. 11, pp. 1156-1163Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDeveloping research skills with weekly online seminars over the summer
Europhysiology 2022Contributions to Journals: AbstractsA call to introduce newborn screening for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) in Scotland
Scottish Medical Journal, vol. 67, no. 1, pp. 46-57Contributions to Journals: LettersNeutralisation of SARS-CoV-2 by anatomical embalming solutions
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 239, no. 5, pp. 1221-1225Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAltered retinal vasculature is a biomarker of disease in Spinal Muscular Atrophy in mouse models and human patients
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 239, no. 4, pp. 969-970Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13460
The Relationship between Body Composition, Fatty Acid Metabolism and Diet in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Brain Sciences, vol. 11, no. 2Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSMN Depleted Mice Offer a Robust and Rapid Onset Model of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
CMGH Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 354-377Contributions to Journals: ArticlesExploring shared surgical decision-making from the patient’s perspective: is the personality of the surgeon important?
Colorectal Disease, vol. 22, no. 12, pp. 2214-2221Contributions to Journals: ArticlesAnatomical Evaluation of a Conventional Pectoralis II Versus a Subserratus Plane Block for Breast Surgery
Anesthesia and Analgesia, vol. 131, no. 3, pp. 928-934Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1213/ANE.0000000000005039
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
COVID-19 and Anatomy: Stimulus and Initial Response
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 237, no. 3, pp. 393-403Contributions to Journals: Review articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.13274
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/14747/1/joa.13274.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Widespread tissue hypoxia dysregulates cell and metabolic pathways in SMA
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, vol. 7, no. 9, pp. 1580-1593Contributions to Journals: ArticlesRenal pathology in a mouse model of severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy is associated with downregulation of Glial Cell-Line Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF)
Human Molecular Genetics, vol. 29, no. 14, pp. 2365-2378Contributions to Journals: ArticlesA role for spinal cord hypoxia in neurodegeneration
Cell Death & Disease, vol. 10, 861Contributions to Journals: Review articlesLamin A/C dysregulation contributes to cardiac pathology in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy
Human Molecular Genetics, vol. 28, no. 21, pp. 3515–3527Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddz195
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/14887/1/HMG_2019_D_00455.R1_Proof_hi.pdf
- [ONLINE] View publication in Mendeley
Abnormal fatty acid metabolism is a core component of spinal muscular atrophy
Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, vol. 6, no. 8, pp. 1519-1532Contributions to Journals: ArticlesIs the Conventional Ultrasound Guided Pectoralis II or Sub-serratus Plane Superior for Brest Surgery: A Cadaveric Study
Europian Society of Regional Anesthesia, Congress (ESRA 2018)Contributions to Journals: AbstractsIs the Conventional Ultrasound Guided Pectoralis II or Sub-serratus Plane Superior for Brest Surgery: A Cadaveric Study
Europian Society of Regional Anesthesia, Congress (ESRA 2018)Contributions to Conferences: AbstractsIs the Conventional Ultrasound Guided Pectoralis II or Sub-serratus Plane Superior for Brest Surgery: A Cadaveric Study
Europian Society of Regional Anesthesia, Congress (ESRA 2018)Contributions to Conferences: PostersAn enhanced fresh cadaveric model for reconstructive microsurgery training
European Journal of Plastic Surgery, vol. 41, no. 4, pp. 439-446Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDevelopmental and Degenerative Cardiac Defects in the Taiwanese Mouse Model of Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 232, no. 6, pp. 965-978Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12793
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/11946/1/Submitted_PDF_Proof_4d.pdf
Examining the impact of audience response systems on student performance in anatomy education: a randomized controlled trial
Scottish Medical Journal, vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 16-21Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSurvival of motor neurone protein is required for normal postnatal development of the spleen
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 230, no. 2, pp. 337–346Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSurvival Motor Neuron (SMN) protein is required for normal mouse liver development
Scientific Reports, vol. 6, 34635Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/srep35898
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/7566/1/srep34635.pdf
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/7566/3/srep35898_1_.pdf
Exploring the microvascular abnormalities in a cohort of paediatric patients with spinal muscular atrophy: P.51
21st International Congress of the World-Muscle-Society, pp. S105Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2016.06.073
Systemic restoration of UBA1 ameliorates disease in spinal muscular atrophy
JCI Insight, vol. 1, no. 11, e87908Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1172/jci.insight.87908
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/6245/1/JCI_Insight87908.pdf
Histopathological Defects in Intestine in Severe Spinal Muscular Atrophy Mice Are Improved by Systemic Antisense Oligonucleotide Treatment
PloS ONE, vol. 11, no. 5, pp. 1-15Contributions to Journals: ArticlesEvolving student–faculty partnerships in medical education through peer-assisted learning
Medical Education, vol. 50, no. 5, pp. 568-568Contributions to Journals: ArticlesHistological and Histochemical Methods, Theory and Practice, 5th Ed
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 228, no. 5, pp. 887Contributions to Journals: Reviews of Books, Films and Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12390
- [ONLINE] View publication in Scopus
Vascular Defects and Spinal Cord Hypoxia in Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Annals of Neurology, vol. 79, no. 2, pp. 217-230Contributions to Journals: ArticlesMicrovascular abnormality in spinal muscular atrophy and its response to antisense oligonucleotide therapy
20th International Congress of the World-Muscle-Society, pp. S193Contributions to Journals: Abstracts- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2015.06.038
An anatomical study of the neurovascular anatomy of the web spaces between the fingers
Journal of hand surgery-European volume, vol. 40, no. 7, pp. 755-757Contributions to Journals: Letters- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1753193414534382
An Investigation Into Student Perceptions of Peer Learning During a Medical Undergraduate Course
The FASEB Journal, vol. 29, no. Suppl. 1Contributions to Journals: AbstractsTissue quality assessment using a novel direct elasticity assessment device (the E-finger): a cadaveric study of prostatectomy dissection
PloS ONE, vol. 9, no. 11, e112872Contributions to Journals: ArticlesDysregulation of ubiquitin homeostasis and β-catenin signaling promote spinal muscular atrophy
The Journal of Clinical Investigation, vol. 124, no. 4, pp. 1821-1834Contributions to Journals: ArticlesThe singular qualities of motor neurones in health and disease
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 224, no. 1, pp. 1-2Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.12110
Increasing SMN levels using the histone deacetylase inhibitor SAHA ameliorates defects in skeletal muscle microvasculature in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy
Neuroscience Letters, vol. 544, pp. 100-104Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neulet.2013.03.052
Severe SMA mice show organ impairment that cannot be rescued by therapy with the HDACi JNJ-26481585
EJHG : European journal of human genetics : the official journal of the European Society of Human Genetics. , vol. 21, no. 6, pp. 643-652Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ejhg.2012.222
Morphological characteristics of motor neurons do not determine their relative susceptibility to degeneration in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy
PloS ONE, vol. 7, no. 12, e52605Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0052605
Density, calibre and ramification of muscle capillaries are altered in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy
Neuromuscular Disorders, vol. 22, no. 5, pp. 435-442Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2011.10.021
Development of a supported self-directed learning approach for anatomy education
Anatomical Sciences Education, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 114-121Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ase.1255
Reversible molecular pathology of skeletal muscle in spinal muscular atrophy
Human Molecular Genetics, vol. 20, no. 22, pp. 4334-4344Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddr360
ApoE isoform-specific regulation of regeneration in the peripheral nervous system
Human Molecular Genetics, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 2406-2421Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddr147
The response of neuromuscular junctions to injury is developmentally regulated
The FASEB Journal, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 1306-1313Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.10-171934
Induction of cell stress in neurons from transgenic mice expressing yellow fluorescent protein: implications for neurodegeneration research
PloS ONE, vol. 6, no. 3, e17639Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0017639
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/3559/1/Induction_of_cell.pdf
SMN deficiency disrupts brain development in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy
Human Molecular Genetics, vol. 19, no. 21, pp. 4216-4228Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddq340
Using mouse cranial muscles to investigate neuromuscular pathology in vivo
Neuromuscular Disorders, vol. 20, no. 11, pp. 740-743Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nmd.2010.06.013
Pre-symptomatic development of lower motor neuron connectivity in a mouse model of severe spinal muscular atrophy
Human Molecular Genetics, vol. 19, no. 3, pp. 420-433Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/hmg/ddp506
Rapid loss of motor nerve terminals following hypoxia-reperfusion injury occurs via mechanisms distinct from classic Wallerian degeneration
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 212, no. 6, pp. 827-835Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7580.2008.00909.x
Dynamic remodelling of synapses can occur in the absence of the parent cell body
BMC Neuroscience, vol. 8, 79Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2202-8-79
- [OPEN ACCESS] http://aura.abdn.ac.uk/bitstream/2164/5239/1/1471_2202_8_79.pdf
Synaptic vulnerability in neurodegenerative disease
Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology, vol. 65, no. 8, pp. 733-739Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/01.jnen.0000228202.35163.c4
Immunohistochemical localisation of the voltage gated potassium ion channel subunit Kv3.3 in the rat medulla oblongata and thoracic spinal cord
Brain Research, vol. 1070, no. 1, pp. 101-15Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2005.10.102
A2A adenosine receptors are located on presynaptic motor nerve terminals in the mouse
Synapse, vol. 57, no. 4, pp. 229-34Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/syn.20173
Nonmuscle myosins IIA and IIB are present in adult motor nerve terminals
Neuroreport, vol. 16, no. 11, pp. 1143-6Contributions to Journals: ArticlesComputer three-dimensional reconstruction of the sinoatrial node
Circulation, vol. 111, no. 7, pp. 846-54Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000152100.04087.DB
Properties of presynaptic P2X7-like receptors at the neuromuscular junction
Brain Research, vol. 1034, no. 1-2, pp. 40-50Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2004.12.001
Kv3 voltage-gated potassium channels regulate neurotransmitter release from mouse motor nerve terminals
European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 20, no. 12, pp. 3313-21Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.2004.03730.x
Axotomy-dependent and -independent synapse elimination in organ cultures of Wld(s) mutant mouse skeletal muscle
Journal of neuroscience research, vol. 76, no. 1, pp. 64-75Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jnr.20016
Neuronal P2X7 receptors are targeted to presynaptic terminals in the central and peripheral nervous systems
Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 21, no. 18, pp. 7143-52Contributions to Journals: ArticlesElimination of motor nerve terminals in neonatal mice expressing a gene for slow wallerian degeneration (C57Bl/Wlds)
European Journal of Neuroscience, vol. 9, no. 8, pp. 1586-1592Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1460-9568.1997.tb01516.x
Loss of myelinated axons is specific to the central nervous system in a mouse model of the fetal alcohol syndrome
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 187 , no. 3, pp. 739-748Contributions to Journals: ArticlesOptic nerve hypoplasia in the fetal alcohol syndrome: a mouse model
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 186 , no. 2, pp. 313-320Contributions to Journals: ArticlesCell viability and laminin-induced neurite outgrowth in cultures of embryonic chick neural tube cells: effects of cytosine-B-D-arabinofuranoside
Neurodegeneration : a journal for neurodegenerative disorders, neuroprotection, and neuroregeneration, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 99-106Contributions to Journals: ArticlesSegmental independence and age dependence of neurite outgrowth from embryonic chick sensory neurons
Journal of Neurobiology, vol. 26, no. 1, pp. 1-16Contributions to Journals: Articles- [ONLINE] DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/neu.480260102