Positions

Overview

  • Dr. Nicholas is originally from Pennsylvania and graduated magna cum laude in 1982 with a B.S. degree in Biology from the University of Scranton. He then received his Ph.D. in Anatomy from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences in Galveston in 1987, and his M.D. degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston in 1990. After medical school, Dr. Nicholas spent two years completing a post-doctoral fellowship in Neuroscience with Dr. Tomas Hökfelt at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. In 1992, he returned to the United States and in 1996 concluded his neurology residency and fellowship in clinical Movement Disorders and then became Assistant Professor of Neurology at UAB. He was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2003 and full Professor in 2014. During this time, he was Co-Director of the American Parkinson Disease Association Information and Referral Center at UAB and Director of the UAB Parkinson Disease Research Laboratory. He also was Director of the Neurology Clerkship (twice) and won numerous teaching awards as lecturer and Co-clinical Director of the Neuroscience Module Course for UAB medical students. He presently serves as Director of the Movement Disorders Division of the UAB Department of Neurology and Assistant Chief of Neurology at the Birmingham VA Medical Center.
  • Selected Publications

    Academic Article

    Year Title Altmetric
    2022 The emerging postural instability phenotype in idiopathic Parkinson diseasenpj Parkinson's Disease.  8. 2022
    2019 Peptidylarginine deiminase and deiminated proteins are detected throughout early halibut ontogeny - Complement components C3 and C4 are post-translationally deiminated in halibut (Hippoglossus hippoglossus L.)Developmental and Comparative Immunology.  92:1-19. 2019
    2019 Peptidylarginine deiminase inhibitors reduce bacterial membrane vesicle release and sensitize bacteria to antibiotic treatmentFrontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology.  9. 2019
    2019 Peptidylarginine deiminases post-translationally deiminate prohibitin and modulate extracellular vesicle release and microRNAs in glioblastoma multiformeInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences.  20. 2019
    2018 Pentraxins CRP-I and CRP-II are post-translationally deiminated and differ in tissue specificity in cod (Gadus morhua L.) ontogenyDevelopmental and Comparative Immunology.  87:1-11. 2018
    2018 Post-translational protein deimination in cod (Gadus morhua L.) ontogeny novel roles in tissue remodelling and mucosal immune defences?Developmental and Comparative Immunology.  87:157-170. 2018
    2018 Increased citrullination and expression of peptidylarginine deiminases independently of P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans in gingival tissue of patients with periodontitisJournal of Translational Medicine.  16. 2018
    2017 Topiramate as an adjunct to amantadine in the treatment of dyskinesia in parkinson's disease: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multicenter studyMovement Disorders.  32:1335-1336. 2017
    2017 Longer Duration of MAO-B Inhibitor Exposure is Associated with Less Clinical Decline in Parkinson's Disease: An Analysis of NET-PD LS1Journal of Parkinson's Disease.  7:117-127. 2017
    2016 Citrullination of glial intermediate filaments is an early response in retinal injuryMolecular Vision.  22:1137-1155. 2016
    2016 Tumor necrosis factor alpha, citrullination, and peptidylarginine deiminase 4 in lung and joint inflammationArthritis Research and Therapy.  18. 2016
    2016 Efficacy of Rotigotine at Different Stages of Parkinson's Disease Symptom Severity and Disability: A Post Hoc Analysis According to Baseline Hoehn and Yahr StageJournal of Parkinson's Disease.  6:741-749. 2016
    2015 2-Chloroacetamidine, a novel immunomodulator, suppresses antigen-induced mouse airway inflammationActa allergologica.  70:1130-1138. 2015
    2015 The W620 polymorphism in PTPN22 disrupts its interaction with peptidylarginine deiminase type 4 and enhances citrullination and netosisArthritis and Rheumatology.  67:2323-2334. 2015
    2015 Malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde adducts and anti-malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde antibodies in rheumatoid arthritisArthritis and Rheumatology.  67:645-655. 2015
    2015 Parkinson's disease severity and use of dopaminergic medicationsParkinsonism and Related Disorders.  21:297-299. 2015
    2015 A novel role for peptidylarginine deiminases in microvesicle release reveals therapeutic potential of PAD inhibition in sensitizing prostate cancer cells to chemotherapyJournal of Extracellular Vesicles.  4. 2015
    2014 Lexical factors and cerebral regions influencing verbal fluency performance in MCINeuropsychologia.  54:98-111. 2014
    2014 A randomized study of rotigotine dose response on 'off' time in advanced Parkinson's diseaseJournal of Parkinson's Disease.  4:361-373. 2014
    2014 Latent information in fluency lists predicts functional decline in persons at risk for Alzheimer diseaseCortex.  55:202-218. 2014
    2014 Localisation of citrullinated proteins in normal appearing white matter and lesions in the central nervous system in multiple sclerosisJournal of Neuroimmunology.  273:85-95. 2014
    2014 Modulation of calcium-induced cell death in human neural stem cells by the novel peptidylarginine deiminase-AIF pathway 2014
    2014 Peptidylarginine deiminases: Novel drug targets for prevention of neuronal damage following hypoxic ischemic insult (HI) in neonatesJournal of Neurochemistry.  130:555-562. 2014
    2013 Impaired financial abilities in Parkinson's disease patients with mild cognitive impairment and dementiaParkinsonism and Related Disorders.  19:986-990. 2013
    2013 Nonmotor symptoms in parkinson's disease. Expanding the view of parkinson's disease beyond a pure motor, pure dopaminergic problemNeurologic Clinics.  31. 2013
    2013 Dual immunofluorescence study of citrullinated proteins in Alzheimer diseased frontal cortexNeuroscience Letters.  545:107-111. 2013
    2013 Which dyskinesia scale best detects treatment response?Movement Disorders.  28:341-346. 2013
    2012 Randomized clinical trial of fipamezole for dyskinesia in Parkinson disease (FJORD study)Neurology.  79:163-169. 2012
    2012 The periodontium of periodontitis patients contains citrullinated proteins which may play a role in ACPA (anti-citrullinated protein antibody) formationJournal of Clinical Periodontology.  39:599-607. 2012
    2012 Local administration of glucocorticoids decreases synovial citrullination in rheumatoid arthritisArthritis Research and Therapy.  14. 2012
    2011 Dual immunofluorescence study of citrullinated proteins in Parkinson diseased substantia nigraNeuroscience Letters.  495:26-29. 2011
    2011 Protein deiminases: New players in the developmentally regulated loss of neural regenerative abilityDevelopmental Biology.  355:205-214. 2011
    2009 Relief of acquired stuttering associated with Parkinson's disease by unilateral left subthalamic brain stimulationJournal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research.  52:1652-1657. 2009
    2009 Clinical interview assessment of financial capacity in older adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's diseaseJournal of the American Geriatrics Society.  57:806-814. 2009
    2009 The contribution of executive control on verbal-learning impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease with dementia and Alzheimer's diseaseArchives of Clinical Neuropsychology.  24:237-244. 2009
    2008 Medical decision-making capacity in cognitively impaired Parkinson's disease patients without dementiaMovement Disorders.  23:1867-1874. 2008
    2008 Effects of levodopa on striatal monoamines in mice with levodopa-induced hyperactivityNeuroscience Letters.  443:204-208. 2008
    2008 Smoking increases peptidylarginine deiminase 2 enzyme expression in human lungs and increases citrullination in BAL cellsAnnals of the Rheumatic Diseases.  67:1488-1492. 2008
    2008 Striatal histone modifications in models of levodopa-induced dyskinesiaJournal of Neurochemistry.  106:486-494. 2008
    2008 Expression pattern of peptidylarginine deiminase in rat and human Schwann cellsDevelopmental Neurobiology.  68:101-114. 2008
    2007 Levodopa-induced hyperactivity in mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2, 3,6-tetrahydropyridineMovement Disorders.  22:99-104. 2007
    2006 Citrullinated proteins in rheumatoid arthritis: Crucial... but not sufficient!Arthritis and Rheumatism.  54:3381-3389. 2006
    2005 Synovial intracellular citrullinated proteins colocalizing with peptidyl arginine deiminase as pathophysiologically relevant antigenic determinants of rheumatoid arthritis-specific humoral autoimmunityArthritis and Rheumatism.  52:2323-2330. 2005
    2005 Atypical Hallervorden-Spatz disease with preserved cognition and obtrusive obsessions and compulsionsMovement Disorders.  20:880-886. 2005
    2005 Expression of citrullinated proteins in murine experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitisJournal of Comparative Neurology.  486:254-266. 2005
    2004 Increased peptidylarginine deiminase type II in hypoxic astrocytesBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications.  325:1324-1329. 2004
    2004 Clinical signs and symptoms in a large hereditary spastic paraparesis pedigree with a novel spastin mutationMovement Disorders.  19:641-648. 2004
    2004 Increased Citrullinated Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Secondary Progressive Multiple SclerosisJournal of Comparative Neurology.  473:128-136. 2004
    2003 Immunohistochemical localization of citrullinated proteins in adult rat brainJournal of Comparative Neurology.  459:251-266. 2003
    2002 Evidence for Epstein-Barr virus autoantibodies against human brain in demyelinating encephalitisNeuropathology and Applied Neurobiology.  28:498-501. 2002
    2002 The fate of biodegradable microspheres injected into rat brainNeuroscience Letters.  323:85-88. 2002
    2002 Preparation of a monoclonal antibody to citrullinated epitopes: Its characterization and some applications to immunohistochemistry in human brainGlia.  37:328-336. 2002
    2002 Preparation of a monoclonal antibody to citrullinated epitopes: its characterization and some applications to immunohistochemistry in human brain.Glia.  37:328-336. 2002
    2000 Multiple messengers in descending serotonin neurons: Localization and functional implicationsJournal of Chemical Neuroanatomy.  18:75-86. 2000
    1999 An immunohistochemical investigation of the opioid cell column in lamina X of the male rat lumbosacral spinal cordNeuroscience Letters.  270:9-12. 1999
    1997 Stiff-persons' syndrome associated with thymoma and subsequent myasthenia gravisMuscle and Nerve.  20:493-498. 1997
    1995 A Complementary Method to Radioligand‐Mediated Autoradiography for Localizing Adrenergic, Alpha‐2 Receptor‐Producing CellsAnnals of the New York Academy of Sciences.  763:222-242. 1995
    1995 Ultrastructural studies on peptides in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord-II. Co-existence of galanin with other peptides in local neuronsNeuroscience.  64:875-891. 1995
    1994 Distribution of α1 adrenoceptors in rat brain revealed by in situ hybridization experiments utilizing subtype-specific probes 1994
    1994 Patterns of messenger RNA expression for adrenergic receptor subtypes in the rat kidneyJournal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics.  268:1605-1611. 1994
    1993 Increased α1B-adrenoreceptor mRNA levels in the rat kidney after thyroidectomyEuropean Journal of Pharmacology.  247:229-232. 1993
    1993 Cellular localization of messenger RNA for beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors in rat brain: An in situ hybridization studyNeuroscience.  56:1023-1039. 1993
    1993 Distributions of mRNAs for alpha‐2 adrenergic receptor subtypes in rat brain: An in situ hybridization studyJournal of Comparative Neurology.  328:575-594. 1993
    1993 Ultrastructural studies on peptides in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord-I. Co-existence of galanin with other peptides in primary afferents in normal ratsNeuroscience.  57:365-384. 1993
    1992 Colocalization of neuropeptides and classical neurotransmitters--functional significance.Clinical Neuropharmacology.  15 Suppl 1 Pt A. 1992
    1992 Contrasting cardiovascular responses from intrathecal administration of epinephrine and norepinephrine in conscious rats: Role of α1 and α2-adrenoceptorsJournal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.  20:367-374. 1992
    1992 Neuropeptides and classical transmitters. Localization and interactionDrug Research.  42:196-201. 1992
    1992 Serotonin-, substance P- and glutamate/aspartate-like immunoreactivities in medullo-spinal pathways of rat and primateNeuroscience.  48:545-559. 1992
    1991 Projections from the rostral ventrolateral medulla to brainstem monoamine neurons in the ratNeuroscience Letters.  122:91-95. 1991
    1991 Initial observations on the localization of mRNA for α and β adrenergic receptors in brain and peripheral tissues of rat using in situ hybridizationMolecular and Cellular Neuroscience.  2:344-350. 1991
    1990 Evidence for projections from the rostral medullary raphe onto medullary catecholamine neurons in the ratNeuroscience Letters.  108:22-28. 1990
    1990 Glutamate-like immunoreactivity in medulla oblongata catecholamine/substance P neuronsNeuroReport.  1:235-238. 1990
    1989 Evidence for substance P, serotonin and oxytocin input to medullary catecholamine neurons with diencephalic projectionsBrain Research Bulletin.  22:213-223. 1989
    1987 Oxytocin-immunoreactive projections onto medullary adrenaline neuronsBrain Research Bulletin.  18:213-219. 1987

    Book

    Year Title Altmetric
    2017 Protein Deimination in Human Health and Disease 2017
    2014 Protein deimination in human health and disease 2014

    Chapter

    Year Title Altmetric
    2017 Deimination in multiple sclerosis: The bad, the good, and the ugly.  317-336. 2017
    2017 The significance of deiminated GFAP in neurodegenerative diseases with special emphasis on alexander disease.  391-412. 2017
    2014 Deimination in multiple sclerosis and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.  165-185. 2014
    2014 Deimination in the peripheral nervous system: A wallflower existence.  149-164. 2014
    2014 Homocitrulline: An analog and confounder related to citrulline.  367-376. 2014
    2014 Ongoing studies of deimination in neurodegenerative diseases using the F95 antibody.  257-280. 2014

    Research Overview

  • Major basic science research interests of Dr. Nicholas include the pathophysiology of Parkinson’s disease, including protein degradation and the role of gliosis in neurodegeneration. Other interests include the neurochemical mechanisms responsible for levodopa-induced dyskinesia and the role of protein deimination (citrullination) in neurological diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis (and their animal models). Dr. Nicholas also has experience performing clinical research trials, including testing new treatments for Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cervical dystonia.
  • Investigator On

  • Clinical Coordination Center for STEADY-PD3  awarded by Northwestern University
  • Clinician-Input Study: How the Fox Insight Mobile Application can Influence Treatment and Care (CIS-PD)  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • Clinician-input Study: How the Fox Wearable Companion Mobile Application can Influence Treatment and Care (CIS-PD)  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • Dystonia Coalitions Projects  awarded by Emory University
  • Noninvasive Biomarkers to Advance Emerging DBS Electrode Technologies in Parkinson’s Disease  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS
  • Private Grant  awarded by PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATES, INC
  • Private Grant  awarded by ALLERGAN SALES, LLC
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMAPX PHARMACEUTICALS
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMPAX LABORATORIES, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by MERZ PHARMACEUTICALS
  • Private Grant  awarded by ASTRAZENECA AB
  • Private Grant  awarded by IPSEN BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by IPSEN BIOPHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by BIOTIE THERAPIES CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by INTEC PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD
  • Private Grant  awarded by BOSTON SCIENTIFIC CORPORATION
  • Private Grant  awarded by INTEC PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD
  • Private Grant  awarded by BIOGEN IDEC, INC.
  • Private Grant  awarded by JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
  • UAB PD Neuroprotection Clinical Trial Center  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS
  • UAB Parkinson's Disease Neuroprotection Clinical Trial Center  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS
  • Unlocking Dystonia from Parkinson's Disease with Directional DBS Technology  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research
  • Teaching Activities

  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2013)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2014)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2014)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Fall Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2014)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2014)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2015)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2016)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2016)
  • 02-350 - NEUROLOGY CLERKSHIP (Spring Term 2016)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2014)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2015)
  • 35-200 - INPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2015)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2014)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2015)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2016)
  • 35-201 - CONSULTATION NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2016)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2014)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2015)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-203 - OUTPATIENT NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - STROKE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - STROKE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2015)
  • 35-205 - STROKE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2015)
  • 35-205 - VASCULAR AND CRITICAL CARE NEUROLOGY (Fall Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - VASCULAR AND CRITICAL CARE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - VASCULAR AND CRITICAL CARE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - VASCULAR AND CRITICAL CARE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - VASCULAR AND CRITICAL CARE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • 35-205 - VASCULAR AND CRITICAL CARE NEUROLOGY (Spring Term 2013)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2008)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2009)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2010)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2011)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2011)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2011)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2012)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2012)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2013)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2013)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2013)
  • PCL2215 - NEUROSCIENCES (Fall Term 2014)
  • Education And Training

  • Carraway Methodist Medical Center Transitional Program, Internship
  • UAB Hospital Neurology, Residency
  • Karolinska Institute, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • UAB Hospital Movement Disorders, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Doctor of Medicine, University of Texas System : Arlington 1990
  • Full Name

  • Anthony Nicholas