Dr. Quincy Almeida

Associate Professor
Director, MDRC

Contact Information

Email: qalmeida@wlu.ca | mdrc@wlu.ca
Phone: 519-884-0710 ext.2840   |  lab 519-884-0710 ext.3924 (for MDRC inquiries)
Fax: MDRC 519-884 3577
Office Location: BA515
Office Hours: 2010-2011 on sabbatical

Languages Spoken

English
Portuguese

Academic Background

BSc, MSc (McMaster University), PhD (University of Waterloo)

Biography

My research interests are aimed at understanding the neurocognitive and neuromotor mechanisms underlying how movements are planned, learned and controlled, with specific interest in basal ganglia dysfunction. My approach involves examining those primarily with neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson.

PUBLICATIONS  (2009)

Almeida Q.J., Lebold C.A. (In Press, Available on-line) Freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease: A motor or perceptual impairment? Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Lebold C., Almeida Q.J. (In Press) Evaluating the contributions of dynamic flow to freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease. Parkinson’s Disease

King, L., Almeida, Q.J., (In Press) Short-term Influences of Vibration Therapy on Motor Impairments in Parkinson’s Disease. Neurorehabilitation.

Sage, M.D., Almeida, Q.J. (In Press) A Positive influence of vision on motor symptoms during sensory attention focuse exercise for Parkinson’s disease. Movement Disorders.

Jenkins, M.E., Almeida, Q.J., Spaulding, S.J., Van Oostveen, R., Holmes, J.D., Johnson, A.M., & Perry, S.D.  (In Press) Plantar cutaneous sensory stimulation improves single limb support, velocity, and EMG activation patterns among individuals with Parkinson’s disease. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders.

Sage, M.D., Almeida, Q.J. (2009) Symptom and Gait Alterations as a Result of Sensory Attention Focused Exercise versus Aerobic Training in Parkinson’s Disease. Movement Disorders 24(8):1132-1138.

Almeida, Q.J. (2009) The problem of thinking while walking: should coordination deficits really be linked to symptom laterality and rhythmic asymmetries? A response to “Bilateral coordination of gait and Parkinson's disease: The effects of dual tasking (Plotnik et al.,2009). Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry 80:347-350.

SCHOLARLY PRESENTATIONS

International Keynotes & Symposia (Invited)

2008 Theoretical & Experimental Neuropsychology (TENNET Inaugural Community Lecture) “Parkinson’s disease: From Theory to Therapy”.  Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
 
2008 Theoretical & Experimental Neuropsychology (Invited symposium Chair on Parkinson’s)“Cognitive issues influencing movement in Parkinson’s disease” Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

2006 Annual Brazilian Congress on Motor Behaviour (Invited Keynote Address), Rio Claro Brazil.  “The Neurophysiological Basis of Motor Control” Almeida, Q.J.

2006  Simposio de Controle Motor, Universidade de Sao Paulo (Escola de Educacao  Fisica e Esporte), Sao Paolo, Brazil. “Motor Control and Parkinson’s disease”. Almeida, Q.J. in collaboration with Duarte, M., Jeka, J., Kohn, A., Barela, J.

2006 North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity (Invited  Symposia)  Motor Function in Parkinson’s disease – From Mechanisms to Treatment. In Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology: 2006.  Denver, Colorado. (Invited Symposium Abstract). Lazarus, J., Almeida, Q.J., Corcos, D., Smiley-Owen, A.

2005 North American Society for the Psychology of Sport & Physical Activity (Invited Preconference Symposia “Preparing for My Future – To Be or Not to be in Academia”  Almeida, Q.J., Elliott, D., Rose, D., Fairbrother, J., Landers, D.

National/Regional Keynotes & Symposia (Invited):

2009 Canadian Centre for Activity & Ageing, Research to Action Conference (Invited Keynote Address), London, Canada “The Relationship Between Exercise & Brain Function: The Parkinson’s Example” Almeida, Q.J. (July 17-19, 2009).

2009 Parkinson’s Society of British Columbia (Invited Keynote Address), Vancouver, Canada “Can exercise change brain function?” Almeida, Q.J. (Oct 30-Nov. 2, 2009)

2009 Perspectives on Parkinson’s – Ottawa Parkinson’s Society (Invited Keynote Address), Ottawa, Canada “Canada's Approach to Parkinson's Rehabilitation: Can Exercise Influence Motor Symptoms and Outcomes in PD?”  Almeida, Q.J. (March 20, 2009)
  
2008 Regional Conference, Parkinson’s Society of Canada (South Western Ontario region), Waterloo, Canada (Plenary lecture). “Improving Movement Control in Parkinson's disease: Development of Assessment Tools & Interventions through Research” Almeida, Q.J. (October 22, 2008)

2007 Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (Invited Symposia Speaker), London, Canada. “Utilizing Exercise as a Research and Rehabilitation Tool in Special Populations” Jakobi, J., Almeida, Q.J., Hicks, A., et al.
 
2007 2nd Annual Agro Speakers Series (Invited Keynote Address), Central & Northern Ontario Region, Parkinson’s Society Canada, Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Ontario. “Exercise for the Brain: Can we influence the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease with Rehabilitation?” Almeida, Q.J.

2007 Annual Meeting of the Gerontology Interest Group (Invited Morning Keynote Address), Sunshine Village, Waterloo, Ontario. “How the science of brain function can help us understand movement disorders” Almeida, Q.J.

2006 Aging, Rehabilitation & Geriatric Care Annual Research Day, Parkwood Hospital, London, Canada (Keynote Speaker) “From brain function to rehabilitation strategies: Lesson’s to be learned from Parkinson’s” Almeida, Q.J.

2006 Parkinsons’s Society of Canada, Donor Recognition Event, Auberge du Pommier, Toronto, Canada (Invited Guest Speaker) “Exercise Rehabilitation for Symptomatic Improvement in Parkinson’s disease.”  Almeida, Q.J.

2006 Parkinson’s Society of Canada, South West Region Conference, London, Ontario. (Invited Keynote Address). “Bridging the Gaps between Science & Rehabilitation” Almeida, Q.J.

In the News

Dr. Quincy Almeida, Kinesiology & Physical Education, media updates:

• The problem of thinking whilewalking in PD - British Medical Journal, click here
• Brent McFarlane - Track Coach Facing his own hurdles ... RECORD Exclusive, click here
• Brent McFarlane "Early Bird Run for MDRC" - March 29, 2009 ...read more here
• Laurier Loop Event - First Annual Event Raises $5000 for MDRC ... read more here
• CBC TV NEWS - Program tests exercise therapy for Parkinson's disease
• CTV News - Parkinson's Disease Research at Laurier's MDRC
• MACLEAN'S MAGAZINE  Parkinson's disease: Can a few simple moves heal her?
• CBC News Article:  Program Tests Exercise Therapy for Parkinson's Disease
• THE RECORD - Program will Help People with Parkinson's

Additional Information

Courses Taught 2009/2010

KP 361 Motor Control
KP 464 Movement Disorders & Clinical Aspects of Neural Control