BSc Neuroscience News and Events

Parkinson's, Pesticides, Problem? UCC Launch Survey at the National Ploughing Championships!

From left: Research students Ms Joan Omosefe Osayande and Ms Jolie Morisho, with Professor Aideen Sullivan, Mr Ted Horgan, Emeritus Chair of Cork Parkinson's Association, Dr Lucy Collins Stack, and research students Ms Rebekah Bevans and Ms Fionnuala Wilson

Professor Aideen Sullivan and Dr Lucy Collins Stack, Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, in collaboration with the Cork Parkinson's Association, launched an exciting research project investigating the potential link between Parkinson's disease and pesticide exposure on Irish farms, at the National Ploughing Championships held in Ratheniska, Co Laois - September 20th, 21st and 22nd 2022.

Professor Sullivan and her research team were initially approached by individuals from the Cork Parkinson's Association (CPA) with a suggestion to undertake a collaborative study into the potential links between Parkinson’s disease and the use of pesticides in rural settings in Ireland. Launching their survey to a very receptive audience at the National Ploughing Championships in Ratheniska, Co Laois in September, the team received huge interest in their research project.

Dr Lucy Collins Stack and Professor Aideen Sullivan chatting with visitors to the Parkinson's stand at the National Ploughing Championships

Record attendance at the Ploughing saw the Parkinson's team interview over 700 delegates at the event!

Interest from the media and the public has been immense. Dr Lucy Collins Stack and Professor Aideen Sullivan have spoken about the study on seven radio stations-national and local, including the Claire Byrne show on RTÉ Radio 1

Newspaper articles detailing the study have been published in national and local newspapers. Specialist publications of interest to the farming community, including the Farmers Journal, Dairygold Co-op ‘Milk Matters’ newsletter and the newsletter of the Irish Grain Grower’s Association, have also featured the survey.

Research students Ms Fionnuala Wilson and Ms Rebekah Bevans surveying visitors at the ‘Parkinson's and Pesticides’ stand at the National Ploughing Championships.

There has been a great response to the study and participants have been very willing to contribute to the short questionnaire. The team will speak at seminars of the IFA, Teagasc, and the Irish Grain Growers Association in the coming months. The survey is still open online, and the team is planning to continue to recruit over the coming months, both online and at local ploughing events. Results will be published and disseminated next summer.