The Kiernan Group was established in 2001, with research labs based at NeuRA, linked to the Prince of Wales Clinical School UNSW and The Institute of Neurological Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital. The group works in close collaboration with Prof David Burke at the University of Sydney (combined ARC Discovery grant) and Prof Hugh Bostock FRS at The Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London UK (combined fellowships and program grant collaborations). This 17-strong team of clinicians, scientists, biomedical engineers and research students has a multi-focussed approach to neurological disease. Current projects are directed to:
We are also conducting clinical trials aimed at neuroprotective and physical therapies in neurological diseases. Our research is intrinsically linked to the provision of local clinical services, particularly the multidisciplinary motor neurone disease clinic; the hereditary nerve and muscle clinics run through Prince of Wales Hospitals; neurological consultation and clinical neurophysiological investigations.
Click here to access Prof Matthew Kiernan's research papers:
Matthew Kiernan is a Professor of Neurology at the Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales and Consultant Neurologist at the Institute of Neurological Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Children’s Hospital. He is also Senior Scientist at Neuroscience Research Australia. His research team’s focus is clinical neurology, in particular disease pathophysiology and treatment strategies of neurological disorders. Currently his team is investigating the mechanisms and the possible prevention of neurodegeneration in motor neurone disease; chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity; stroke; Machado-Joseph disease; spinal muscular atrophy and other inherited neuropathies. His team are also involved in clinical trials investigating potential drug treatments for motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
His team’s research is intrinsically linked to the provision of clinical services, particularly the Multidisciplinary Motor Neurone Disease Clinic; the Hereditary Nerve and Muscle Clinics and diagnostic neurophysiology clinics, all run through Prince of Wales Hospital. Neurological consultation and clinical neurophysiological services are also provided at the Professorial Suite, Prince of Wales Hospital.
Matthew Kiernan is the Vice President of the Australian Brain Foundation, the largest priming institution for neuroscience in Australia and Chairman of the Scientific Committee responsible for distributing funding towards research and medical education for the treatment and prevention of neurological disorders. Matthew is Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry (BMJ Publishing Group). The journal posts regular free podcasts and Patient Information Sheets.
Clinical assessment of functional disability in Motor Neurone DiseaseThis project aims to assess the practical impact of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) on both patients and their family members. |
Effects of marine neurotoxins on impulse transmission (tetrodotoxin; ciguatera)The ingestion of marine animals that contain toxic substances can produce neurological symptoms. |
Effects of strict K+ restriction and dialysis treatments on neurological function in chronic kidney diseaseNeurological complications are a major cause of disability and dramatically impair quality of life in patients with chronic kidney disease. |
Establishment of training programs for health care professionals to look after Motor Neurone Disease patientsThis project will focus on developing training programs for health care professionals to look after motor neurone disease (MND) patients both in an inpatient setting and during their transition to hom |
Mechanisms of Chemotherapy-induced NeurotoxicityNerve damage is a very common side effect of many current cancer treatments, limiting the amount of treatment that patients can receive and often resulting in irreversible damage, leaving patients wit |
Mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Motor Neurone DiseaseMotor Neurone Disease is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease which is universally fatal. |
Natural history of axonal ion channel dysfunction in human diabetic neuropathyPeripheral neuropathy is a serious complication of diabetes resulting in numbness, pain and weakness in the lower limb and significantly increasing the risk of lower limb ulceration and amputation. |
Nerve excitability in spinal cord injury patientsNerve excitability testing is being applied to spinal cord injury patients to investigate the complex changes in nerve excitability that occur overtime after the injury. |
Neuroprotective strategies for chemotherapy-induced neuropathyNerve damage is a very common side effect of many current cancer treatments, limiting the amount of treatment that patients can receive and often resulting in irreversible damage, leaving patients wit |
Nocturnal hypoventilation in motor neurone diseaseMotor neurone disease (MND) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterised by the progressive weakness of voluntary muscles throughout the body. |
Novel assessment of functional adaptation and motor plasticity following strokeThe aims of this project are to assess plasticity of the entire neural axis (central and peripheral motor pathways) and how they interact following a stroke. |
Pathophysiology of inherited neuropathiesNerve excitability testing is being applied to people with various types of inherited neuropathy including Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease and myotonic dystrophy. |
Pathophysiology of Machado-Joseph DiseaseUsing the combination of novel peripheral axonal excitability and cortical excitability testing, the assessment of the entire motor neurological axis is possible in people with Machado-Joseph Disease. |
Pathophysiology of Spinal Muscular AtrophySpinal muscular dystrophy is a neuromuscular disorder characterised by muscle weakness and atrophy due to the degeneration of the motor neurons. |
Pathophysiology of uraemic neuropathyNeurological complications are an almost universal side effect of severe kidney disease. |
Quality of life in metabolic neuropathiesThis study aims to assess the quality of life of patient’s with metabolic neuropathies such as diabetes. |
Site of origin of Motor Neurone DiseaseMND is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterised by the progressive muscular paralysis caused by the deterioration of motor neurones. |
Spinal cord injury & related neurological conditionsNerve excitability testing is being applied to patients with spinal cord injury and other neurological conditions to provide further information about the functionality of nerves. |
The Australian Motor Neurone Disease RegistryThe Australian Motor Neurone Disease Registry was launched by Professor Matthew Kiernan on Motor Neurone Disease Global Awareness Day, 21 June 2005, at the Annual Conference for Health and Community C |
To better define the pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying the development of the novel facial-onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN) syndrome and, in particular, to determine whether neurodege
To identify the most useful clinical and histologic markers that facilitate early diagnosis in LMNA-related muscular dystrophy and to assess the usefulness of Western blotting (WB) for lamin A/C.
To gain further insight into disease pathophysiologic process and potential adaptations through investigating whether cortical dysfunction or plasticity is a feature of spinal muscle atrophy (SMA).
