University of Exeter Medical School

Dr. Heather Wilson

Dr. Heather Wilson

Senior Research Fellow - Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, Lead Imaging Methodology - Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre

 H.Wilson4@exeter.ac.uk

 

Overview

Dr Heather Wilson is the Imaging Methodology Lead at the Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre and Senior Research Fellow in the Neurodegeneration Imaging Group at the University of Exeter. Her research interests focus on the development and implementation of novel neuroimaging techniques, including PET/CT and MR imaging, computational science and the combination of imaging, genetic and digital data in neurodegenerative diseases with translational clinical applications.

Dr Wilson graduated from the University of Southampton with First Class Honours BSc in Biochemistry and obtained an MSc with Distinction in Clinical Neuroscience from King’s College London. She completed her PhD at the University of Exeter on the investigation of molecular pathology in vivo in Parkinson's disease. She has previously worked as a Research Associate at King’s College London and Student Research Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline Biopharmaceutical R&D. 

Dr Wilson has published several original articles, and review articles, in high impact journals as well as book chapters and has served as an associate editor for a newly published book on Imaging in Movement Disorders, Elsevier. She has been invited to talk at multiple national and international congresses. Dr Wilson is the recipient of the European Academy of Neurology tournament runner-up award, the Brain PET ISCBFM young investigator award and the Doctoral Researcher Honourable Mention Award in Natural and Life Sciences.

Qualifications

  • PhD Medical Studies, University of Exeter - 2021
  • MSc Clinical Neuroscience, King's College London (Distinction) - 2015
  • BSc Biochemistry, University of Southampton (First Class) - 2013

Career

  • Senior Research Fellow, Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, University of Exeter - 2022
  • Lead of Imaging Methodology, Mireille Gillings Neuroimaging Centre, University of Exeter - 2020
  • Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, University of Exeter - 2019
  • Research Associate, Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, King's College London - 2017
  • Research Assistant, Neurodegeneration Imaging Group, King's College London - 2015
  • Radiology Department Assistant, The Hospital of St John and St Elizabeth, London - 2014
  • Student Research Scientist Year in Industry, GSK, Stevenage - 2011

Links

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Publications

Journal articles

Astara K, Pournara C, de Natale ER, Wilson H, Vavougios GD, Lappas AS, Politis M, Christodoulou NG (2023). A novel conceptual framework for the functionality of the glymphatic system. J Neurophysiol, 129(5), 1228-1236. Abstract.  Author URL.
Ford J, Kafetsouli D, Wilson H, Udeh-Momoh C, Politis M, AhmadiAbhari S, Rabiner I, Middleton LT (2022). At a Glance: an Update on Neuroimaging and Retinal Imaging in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Research. J Prev Alzheimers Dis, 9(1), 67-76. Abstract.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Pagano G, Yousaf T, Polychronis S, De Micco R, Giordano B, Niccolini F, Politis M (2022). Correction to: Predict cognitive decline with clinical markers in Parkinson's disease (PRECODE-1). J Neural Transm (Vienna), 129(10).  Author URL.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M (2022). Predictors of RBD progression and conversion to synucleinopathies. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep, 22(2), 93-104. Abstract.  Author URL.
Wilson H, de Natale ER, Politis M (2022). Recent Advances in Neuroimaging Techniques to Assist Clinical Trials on Cell-Based Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Stem Cells, 40(8), 724-735. Abstract.  Author URL.
Chandra A, Farrell C, Wilson H, Dervenoulas G, De Natale ER, Politis M (2021). Aquaporin-4 polymorphisms predict amyloid burden and clinical outcome in the Alzheimer's disease spectrum. Neurobiology of Aging, 97, 1-9.
King-Robson J, Wilson H, Politis M, Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (2021). Associations Between Amyloid and Tau Pathology, and Connectome Alterations, in Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment. J Alzheimers Dis, 82(2), 541-560. Abstract.  Author URL.
Fletcher B, Chappell LC, Lavallee L, Wilson HM, Stevens R, Mackillop L, McManus RJ, Tucker KL (2021). Changes to management of hypertension in pregnancy, and attitudes to self-management: an online survey of obstetricians, before and following the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pregnancy Hypertens, 26, 54-61. Abstract.  Author URL.
Sakhneny L, Mueller L, Schonblum A, Azaria S, Burganova G, Epshtein A, Isaacson A, Wilson H, Spagnoli FM, Landsman L, et al (2021). The postnatal pancreatic microenvironment guides β cell maturation through BMP4 production. Dev Cell, 56(19), 2703-2711.e5. Abstract.  Author URL.
Cozzitorto C, Mueller L, Ruzittu S, Mah N, Willnow D, Darrigrand J-F, Wilson H, Khosravinia D, Mahmoud A-A, Risolino M, et al (2020). A Specialized Niche in the Pancreatic Microenvironment Promotes Endocrine Differentiation. Dev Cell, 55(2), 150-162.e6. Abstract.  Author URL.
Carotenuto A, Wilson H, Giordano B, Caminiti SP, Chappell Z, Williams SCR, Hammers A, Silber E, Brex P, Politis M, et al (2020). Impaired connectivity within neuromodulatory networks in multiple sclerosis and clinical implications. Journal of Neurology, 267(7), 2042-2053. Abstract.
Wilson H, Pagano G, de Natale ER, Mansur A, Caminiti SP, Polychronis S, Middleton LT, Price G, Schmidt KF, Gunn RN, et al (2020). Mitochondrial Complex 1, Sigma 1, and Synaptic Vesicle 2A in Early Drug-Naive Parkinson's Disease. Mov Disord, 35(8), 1416-1427. Abstract.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Politis M, Rabiner EA, Middleton LT (2020). Novel PET Biomarkers to Disentangle Molecular Pathways across Age-Related Neurodegenerative Diseases. Cells, 9(12), 2581-2581. Abstract.
Wilson H, Pagano G, Niccolini F, Muhlert N, Mehta MA, Searle G, Gunn RN, Rabiner EA, Foltynie T, Politis M, et al (2020). The role of phosphodiesterase 4 in excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, 77, 163-169. Abstract.
Carotenuto A, Giordano B, Dervenoulas G, Wilson H, Veronese M, Chappell Z, Polychronis S, Pagano G, Mackewn J, Turkheimer FE, et al (2020). [18F]Florbetapir PET/MR imaging to assess demyelination in multiple sclerosis. Eur J Nucl Med Mol Imaging, 47(2), 366-378. Abstract.  Author URL.
Pagano G, Niccolini F, Wilson H, Yousaf T, Khan NL, Martino D, Plisson C, Gunn RN, Rabiner EA, Piccini P, et al (2019). Comparison of phosphodiesterase 10A and dopamine transporter levels as markers of disease burden in early Parkinson's disease. Movement Disorders, 34(10), 1505-1515. Abstract.
Wilson H, Niccolini F, Pellicano C, Politis M (2019). Cortical thinning across Parkinson's disease stages and clinical correlates. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 398, 31-38.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Pagano G, Politis M (2019). Dementia spectrum disorders: lessons learnt from decades with PET research. JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION, 126(3), 233-251.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Dervenoulas G, Pagano G, Tyacke RJ, Polychronis S, Myers J, Gunn RN, Rabiner EA, Nutt D, Politis M, et al (2019). Imidazoline 2 binding sites reflecting astroglia pathology in Parkinson's disease: an in vivo11C-BU99008 PET study. Brain, 142(10), 3116-3128. Abstract.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Dervenoulas G, Pagano G, Koros C, Yousaf T, Picillo M, Polychronis S, Simitsi A, Giordano B, Chappell Z, et al (2019). Serotonergic pathology and disease burden in the premotor and motor phase of A53T α-synuclein parkinsonism: a cross-sectional study (Publication with Expression of Concern). LANCET NEUROLOGY, 18(8), 748-759.  Author URL.
Niccolini F, Wilson H, Giordano B, Diamantopoulos K, Pagano G, Chaudhuri KR, Politis M (2019). Sleep disturbances and gastrointestinal dysfunction are associated with thalamic atrophy in Parkinson's disease. BMC Neuroscience, 20(1). Abstract.
Pagano G, Yousaf T, Wilson H, Niccolini F, Polychronis S, Chaudhuri KR, Politis M (2018). Constipation is not associated with dopamine transporter pathology in early drug-naïve patients with Parkinson's disease. European Journal of Neurology, 25(2), 307-312. Abstract.
Pagano G, Polychronis S, Wilson H, Giordano B, Ferrara N, Niccolini F, Politis M (2018). Diabetes mellitus and Parkinson disease. NEUROLOGY, 90(19), E1654-E1662.  Author URL.
Niccolini F, Wilson H, Hirschbichler S, Yousaf T, Pagano G, Whittington A, Caminiti SP, Erro R, Holton JL, Jaunmuktane Z, et al (2018). Disease-related patterns of in vivo pathology in Corticobasal syndrome. EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NUCLEAR MEDICINE AND MOLECULAR IMAGING, 45(13), 2413-2425.  Author URL.
Yousaf T, Pagano G, Wilson H, Politis M (2018). Neuroimaging of Sleep Disturbances in Movement Disorders. FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY, 9  Author URL.
Schulz J, Pagano G, Bonfante JAF, Wilson H, Politis M (2018). Nucleus basalis of Meynert degeneration precedes and predicts cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. BRAIN, 141, 1501-1516.  Author URL.
Pagano G, De Micco R, Yousaf T, Wilson H, Chandra A, Politis M (2018). REM behavior disorder predicts motor progression and cognitive decline in Parkinson disease. NEUROLOGY, 91(10), E894-E905.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Giordano B, Turkheimer FE, Chaudhuri KR, Politis M (2018). Serotonergic dysregulation is linked to sleep problems in Parkinson's disease. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL, 18, 630-637.  Author URL.
Politis M, Wilson H, Wu K, Brooks DJ, Piccini P (2017). Chronic exposure to dopamine agonists affects the integrity of striatal D<sub>2</sub> receptors in Parkinson's patients. NEUROIMAGE-CLINICAL, 16, 455-460.  Author URL.
Moonga I, Niccolini F, Wilson H, Pagano G, Politis M (2017). Hypertension is associated with worse cognitive function and hippocampal hypometabolism in Alzheimer's disease. European Journal of Neurology, 24(9), 1173-1182. Abstract.
Niccolini F, Wilson H, Pagano G, Coello C, Mehta MA, Searle GE, Gunn RN, Rabiner EA, Foltynie T, Politis M, et al (2017). Loss of phosphodiesterase 4 in Parkinson disease Relevance to cognitive deficits. NEUROLOGY, 89(6), 586-593.  Author URL.
Wilson H, De Micco R, Niccolini F, Politis M (2017). Molecular imaging Markers to Track Huntington's Disease Pathology. FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY, 8  Author URL.
Pagano G, Niccolini F, Yousaf T, Wilson H, Polychronis S, Chaudhuri KR, Politis M (2017). Urinary Dysfunction in Early De Novo Patients with Parkinson's Disease. MOVEMENT DISORDERS, 32(6), 939-940.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Niccolini F, Haider S, Marques TR, Pagano G, Coello C, Natesan S, Kapur S, Rabiner EA, Gunn RN, et al (2016). Loss of extra-striatal phosphodiesterase 10A expression in early premanifest Huntington's disease gene carriers. JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES, 368, 243-248.  Author URL.

Chapters

de Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M (2023). Chapter 1 Parkinson's disease and related disorders the pursuit for reliable readouts and the role of neuroimaging. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 3-19.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M, Niccolini F (2023). Chapter 13 Neuroimaging in progressive supranuclear palsy. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 355-397.
Wilson H, de Natale ER, Politis M, Niccolini F (2023). Chapter 14 Neuroimaging in corticobasal syndrome. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 399-417.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Niccolini F, Politis M (2023). Chapter 15 Molecular imaging in Huntington's disease. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 421-448.
Belogianni C, Wilson H, de Natale ER, Politis M (2023). Chapter 16 Magnetic resonance imaging in Huntington's disease. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 449-489.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Udeh-Momoh C, Ford JK, Politis M, Middleton LT (2023). Chapter 18 How molecular imaging studies can disentangle disease mechanisms in age-related neurodegenerative disorders. In  (Ed) Aging, Elsevier, 455-492.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M (2023). Chapter 18 Neuroimaging of restless legs syndrome. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 519-540.
Wilson H, de Natale ER, Politis M (2023). Chapter 2 Advances in magnetic resonance imaging. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 21-52.
Wilson H, Politis M (2023). Chapter 3 Advances in molecular neuroimaging methodology. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 53-66.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M (2023). Chapter 4 Dopaminergic molecular imaging in familial and idiopathic Parkinson's disease. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 69-104.
Wilson H, Terry A, Politis M (2023). Chapter 6 Molecular imaging beyond dopamine and serotonin in familial and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 121-150.
de Natale ER, Verghese JP, Wilson H, Politis M (2023). Chapter 9 Molecular imaging in prodromal Parkinson’s disease. In  (Ed) Neuroimaging in Parkinson�s Disease and Related Disorders, Elsevier, 251-272.
De Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M (2021). Imaging BiomarkersBiomarkers in Huntington’s DiseaseHuntington’s disease (HD). In  (Ed) Neurodegenerative Diseases Biomarkers, Springer Nature, 457-505.
Wilson H, de Natale ER, Politis M (2021). Nucleus basalis of Meynert degeneration predicts cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease. In  (Ed) Handbook of Clinical Neurology, 189-205. Abstract.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Politis M (2021). Serotonergic imaging in Parkinson's disease. In  (Ed) Progress in Brain Research, 303-338. Abstract.
Tondo G, Esposito M, Dervenoulas G, Wilson H, Politis M, Pagano G (2019). Hybrid PET-MRI Applications in Movement Disorders. In  (Ed) International Review of Neurobiology, 211-257. Abstract.
Cousins O, Yousaf T, Wilson H, Pagano G, Politis M (2019). Molecular Imaging of Dementia with Lewy Bodies. In  (Ed) International Review of Neurobiology, 59-93. Abstract.
de Natale ER, Wilson H, Pagano G, Politis M (2018). Imaging Transplantation in Movement Disorders. In  (Ed) IMAGING IN MOVEMENT DISORDERS: IMAGING APPLICATIONS IN NON-PARKINSONIAN AND OTHER MOVEMENT DISORDERS, 213-263.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Politis M (2018). Molecular Imaging in Huntington's Disease. In  (Ed) IMAGING IN MOVEMENT DISORDERS: IMAGING IN ATYPICAL PARKINSONISM AND FAMILIAL MOVEMENT DISORDERS, 289-333.  Author URL.
de Natale ER, Niccolini F, Wilson H, Politis M (2018). Molecular Imaging of the Dopaminergic System in Idiopathic Parkinson's Disease. In  (Ed) IMAGING IN MOVEMENT DISORDERS: IMAGING METHODOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS IN PARKINSON'S DISEASE, 131-172.  Author URL.
Wilson H, Dervenoulas G, Politis M (2018). Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Huntington's Disease. In  (Ed) IMAGING IN MOVEMENT DISORDERS: IMAGING IN ATYPICAL PARKINSONISM AND FAMILIAL MOVEMENT DISORDERS, 335-380.  Author URL.
Yousaf T, Wilson H, Politis M (2017). Imaging the Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease. In  (Ed) NONMOTOR PARKINSON'S: THE HIDDEN FACE: THE MANY HIDDEN FACES, 179-257.  Author URL.
Yousaf T, Wilson H, Politis M (2017). Imaging the Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease. In  (Ed) International Review of Neurobiology, Elsevier, 179-257.

Conferences

Pagano G, Wilson H, Niccolini F, Muhlert N, Coello C, Tziortzi A, Searle G, Gunn R, Rabiner E, Foltynie T, et al (2017). Phosphodiesterases and striatal pathways in Parkinson's disease.  Author URL.
Yousaf T, Pagano G, Niccolini F, Politis M (2017). Predict cognitive decline with non-clinical markers in Parkinson's disease.  Author URL.

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External Engagement and Impact

Awards and distinctions

  • Doctoral Researcher Honourable Mention Award in Natural and Life Sciences - 2020
  • European Academy of Neurology tournament runner-up award - 2019
  • Conference Fund Grant Centre for Doctoral Studies - 2019
  • Brain PET ISCBFM young investigator award - 2017
  • Brain Travel Grant Award - 2017
  • European Academy of Neurology Travel Grant Award - 2017
  • Movement Disorders Society Travel Grant Award - 2017

Editorial responsibilities

  • Co-Editor: Neuroimaging in Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders published by Elsevier Inc. 2022.
  • Editorial Assistant: Imaging in Movement Disorders, International Review of Neurobiology published by Elsevier Inc. 2018.

Conferences and invited presentations

  • Invited speaker: Neuroimaging: Disentangling the biology underlying Alzheimer’s disease through novel PET methodologies. Advanced course Dementia Prevention, Imperial College London. 2021
  • Invited speaker: Serotonin, Motor and Non-Motor Aspects, from Dyskinesias to Mood Disorders. International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Virtual Congress. 2021
  • Runner-up in the Neurology Tournament: Evaluation of Imidazoline 2 binding sites reflecting astroglia pathology in Parkinson’s Disease: An in vivo [11C]BU99008 PET study. The European Academy of Neurology, Oslo, Norway. 2019
  • Oral presentation: Evaluation of Imidazoline 2 binding sites reflecting astroglia pathology in Huntington’s Disease: An in vivo [11C]BU99008 PET study. The European Academy of Neurology, Oslo, Norway. 2019
  • Oral presentation: Mitochondrial Complex 1, Sigma 1 Receptor and Synaptic protein 2A in early drug-naïve patients with Parkinson’s disease: Pilot PET data. International Congress of Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders, Nice France. 2019
  • Oral presentation: The role of synaptic vesicle protein 2A (SV2A) in patients with Parkinson’s disease dementia and Dementia with Lewy bodies: An in vivo [11C]UCB-J PET study. The European Academy of Neurology, Oslo, Norway. 2019
  • Oral presentation: Direct comparison between T1/T2-weighted ratio MRI and [18F]florbetaben PET imaging as measures of myelin integrity in Multiple Sclerosis. The European Academy of Neurology, Oslo, Norway. 2019
  • Invited talk: A vision of tomorrow: how can technology improve diagnosis and treatment for Parkinson’s patients? The Edmond J. Safra Memorial Lecture, King’s College London. 2017
  • Oral presentation: In vivo Tau and Amyloid pathology in Corticobasal Degeneration. Brain and BrainPET Congress, Berlin, Germany. 2017
  • Invited talk: Dopaminergic, Glutamatergic and Serotonergic Modulation in Brain Diseases: Molecular Neuroimaging. The University of Padova, Italy. 2017
  • Oral presentation: The role of phosphodiesterase 4 in excessive daytime sleepiness in Parkinson’s disease. International Congress of Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders, Vancouver, Canada. 2017
  • Oral presentation: Phosphodiesterases and striatal pathways in Parkinson’s disease. The European Academy of Neurology, Amsterdam. 2017
  • Oral presentation: Pain in early de novo Parkinson’s disease patients. The European Academy of Neurology, Amsterdam. 2017
  • Oral presentation: Sleep dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease is linked to reduced serotonergic function. 11thInternational Congress on Non-Motor Dysfunctions in Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disease, Slovenia. 2016

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Supervision / Group

Postgraduate researchers

  • Harina Amin 2022-23
  • Imogen Davis 2022-23

Alumni

  • Lauren Johnstone 2021-22
  • Amelia Peterson 2021-22

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