SUMMARY
During his career as a clinician-researcher, Shyamal H. Mehta, M.D., Ph.D., has focused his efforts on various aspects of Parkinson's disease. He is engaged in research using deep brain stimulation and has published on the effects of deep brain stimulation on cognition in Parkinson's disease. He has an ongoing collaboration at Arizona State University for research in gait dysfunction in Parkinson's disease and has published several papers in that area.
Dr. Mehta also serves as site principal investigator on several pharmaceutically funded clinical trials related to Parkinson's disease, and for chemodenervation using botulinum toxin injections. Currently, he is engaged in artificial intelligence research to improve Parkinson's disease diagnosis.
Focus areas
- Deep brain stimulation. Dr. Mehta explores different indications, as well as the impact of deep brain stimulation on various forms of movement disorders.
- Artificial intelligence (AI). Dr. Mehta's research seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson's disease through AI. In collaboration with the Machine Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging Lab of Bhavik Patel, M.D., M.B.A., Dr. Mehta is aiming to use a common test, such as an MRI of the brain, to help diagnose Parkinson's disease.
- Tissue bank. Dr. Mehta participates in the Brain & Body Donation Program in neurodegenerative disease through the Banner Sun Health Research Institute. This important collaborative research has resulted in several important breakthroughs in the fields of Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease and essential tremor.
- Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI). Dr. Mehta is involved in a PPMI study through the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.
Significance to patient care
Dr. Mehta's research into the different facets of Parkinson's disease can help improve treatments to improve patient care. His AI research can enhance the ability to better diagnose patients with early Parkinson's disease, which remains a challenge at present.