Hilmar Sigurdsson
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hilmarsigurdsson.bsky.social
Hilmar Sigurdsson
@hilmarsigurdsson.bsky.social
Cognitive Neuroscientist at @neuroalc.bsky.social and @desantislab.bsky.social. Interested in neuroimaging (PET, DWI) and neuromodulation to study the control of action in ageing and pathology 🧠
Reposted by Hilmar Sigurdsson
Today, the Scientific Department ‘Molecular Neurobiology and Neuropathology’ has offered a new scientific seminar featuring a presentation by PhD student Sonia Cabeza and the postdoctoral researcher Hilmar P. Sigurdsson @hilmarsigurdsson.bsky.social 👏👏
@aleriede.bsky.social @desantislab.bsky.social
November 4, 2025 at 6:27 PM
New paper alert❗

link.springer.com/article/10.1...

We have published the first study from the #AdVaNSING-PD trial demonstrating the #feasibility, #acceptability, #adherence and #safety of non-invasive #vagusnervestimulation in people with #ParkinsonsDisease in the Journal of Neurology
Feasibility, safety and efficacy of multi-dose vagus nerve stimulation in Parkinson’s disease: a double-blind, randomised sham-controlled proof-of-concept study - Journal of Neurology
Background Gait and cognitive impairments are hallmark features of Parkinson's disease (PD) that significantly impact quality of life. These deficits arise from both dopaminergic and non-dopaminergic mechanisms, including cholinergic dysfunction. Transcutaneous cervical vagus nerve stimulation (tcVNS) is a non-invasive neuromodulatory technique that may enhance cholinergic function and has potential therapeutic relevance for individuals with PD. However, its feasibility, acceptability, adherence, and safety in a domiciliary setting remain unclear. We conducted a single-centre, double-blind, parallel, sham-controlled, randomised proof-of-concept study. Objectives The primary objective was to assess the feasibility, acceptability, adherence, and safety of home-based tcVNS. The secondary objective was to explore preliminary effects on gait and cognitive function. Methods Thirty-three participants with PD were randomised to either active (n = 16) or sham (n = 17) tcVNS and self-administered two stimulations twice daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 24-week post-intervention follow-up. Results Retention was high (93.9%), with two participants withdrawing from the sham group for reasons unrelated to the intervention. No serious adverse events were reported during the intervention period. Mild adverse events led to discontinuation of tcVNS use in three active and two sham participants. tcVNS had minimal effects on gait and cognition, although small, non-significant improvements in step length variability were observed. Conclusions This study represents the longest tcVNS intervention trial in PD to date and supports the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of domiciliary tcVNS. While preliminary findings suggest tcVNS may have therapeutic potential, larger trials are needed to establish its effectiveness for improving gait and cognitive function in PD.
link.springer.com
October 13, 2025 at 7:28 AM
Reposted by Hilmar Sigurdsson
📢📢📢Only 15 days left to apply!
Don’t miss this opportunity #ChristmasMeeting_IN
Call open for the 22nd @neuroalc.bsky.social Christmas Meeting! 🧠🎄
Dec 18–19, 2025
📍Alicante, Spain
Open to postdocs & junior PIs in neuroscience.
🗓️ Apply by Oct 15: christmasmeeting@umh.es #NeuroScience #ChristmasMeeting_IN
@csic.es @dicv.csic.es @umh.es @sommalliance.bsky.social
October 1, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I am super excited to be back in Maastricht for @ispgr.bsky.social 2025 World Congress.

Gearing up for my oral presentation tomorrow 🗣 presenting findings from our novel @parkinsons.org.uk funded FDG-PET/MR and #gait study in #Parkinsons 🧠
July 1, 2025 at 10:11 AM