Positions

Overview

  • Dr. Amara graduated from the Medical College of Georgia with MD and PhD, with distinction. She then completed neurology residency as well as fellowship training in Movement Disorders and Sleep Medicine at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). She is currently as Associate Professor at UAB.

    • Selected Publications

    Chapter

    Year Title Altmetric
    2015 Impact of surgical therapies on sleep and alertness in Parkinson’s disease.  195-207. 2015

    Research Overview

  • My major research interests include investigation of the impact of exercise on sleep, cognition, motor outcomes, and functional connectivity in patients with Parkinson’s disease. I have also investigated the influence of deep brain stimulation and other therapies on sleep in these patients. My lab also studies the effects of cognitive training (speed of processing training) on pedestrian safety, cognition, and visual processing in patients with Parkinson’s disease and healthy older adults. In addition, I am site investigator for multi-site studies evaluating biomarkers and investigational therapies in patients with Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies.

    • Principal Investigator On

  • The Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) 2.0 Clinical - Establishing a Deeply Phenotyped PD Cohort  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research 2020 - 2033
  • A Dose Selection Trial of Light Therapy for Impaired Sleep in Parkinson's Disease  awarded by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL 2019 - 2021
  • Development of T Cell-Based Biomarkers for Autoimmunity in Parkinson's Disease  awarded by LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 2020
  • Private Grant  awarded by LILLY USA, LLC 2018 - 2020
  • Development of T Cell-Based Biomarkers for Autoimmunity in Parkinson's Disease  awarded by LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY 2018 - 2019
  • Private Grant  awarded by JAZZ PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 2018 - 2019
  • Private Grant  awarded by AXOVANT SCIENCES, INC. - NEW 2017 - 2019
  • The Systemic Synuclein Sampling Study (S4)  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research 2015 - 2018
  • Private Grant  awarded by AXOVANT SCIENCES, INC. - NEW 2016 - 2018
  • 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 2017 - 2018
  • Impact of a Novel Exercise Intervention on Executive Function and Sleep in Patients with Parkinson's Disease  awarded by Parkinson's Disease Foundation 2017 - 2018
  • The Effect of Low Frequency STN DBS on Sleep and Vigilance in PD Patients  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2012 - 2017
  • Fox Investigation for New Discovery of Biomarkers (BioFIND)  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research 2014 - 2015
  • The Effects of Lower and High Frequency Unilateral STN DBS on Sleep in Parkinson's Disease  awarded by American Sleep Medicine Foundation 2011 - 2012

    • Investigator On

  • Sleep for Stroke Management and Recovery Trial (Sleep SMART) Stroke Trial  awarded by University of Cincinnati 2018 - 2024
  • The Parkinson's Progression Marker's Initiative (PPMI)  awarded by Fox (Michael J.) Foundation for Parkinson's Research 2010 - 2023
  • Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Parkinson Disease  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2023
  • Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Parkinson Disease - Core B: Clinical Research Core  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2023
  • Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Parkinson Disease - Project 5: Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Lewy Body Dementia  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2023
  • Interactions of Gut Microbiome, Genetic Susceptibility and Environmental Factors in Parkinson's Disease  awarded by DOD - Department of Defense 2018 - 2022
  • UAB Research and Education Program in Neuroscience  awarded by National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke/NIH/DHHS 2017 - 2022
  • A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase IIa, Parallel Group, Two-Cohort Study to Define the Safety, Tolerability, Clinical and Exploratory Biological Activity of the Chronic Administration of Nilotinib in Participants with Parkinson’s Disease (PD)  awarded by Northwestern University 2018 - 2022
  • Sleep and Circadian Research Core (SCRC)  awarded by UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA HEALTH SERVICES FOUNDATION 2019 - 2021
  • Private Grant  awarded by BIOGEN IDEC, INC. 2018 - 2021
  • Private Grant  awarded by F.Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd. 2017 - 2021
  • Center for Translational Research on Aging and Mobility  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2014 - 2021
  • Center for Translational Research on Aging and Mobility - Core B: Pilot Core  awarded by National Institute on Aging/NIH/DHHS 2014 - 2021
  • Restless Legs Syndrome and Physical Activity in Adults With Multiple Sclerosis  awarded by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/NIH/DHHS 2019 - 2021
  • Private Grant  awarded by FUSION HEALTH LLC 2019 - 2020
  • Mechanisms of Refractory Hypertension  awarded by National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute/NIH/DHHS 2018 - 2020
  • The Edmond J. Safra Visiting Nurse Faculty Program at the Parkinson Disease Foundation  awarded by National Parkinson Foundation, Inc. 2017 - 2019
  • Phase 3 Trial of Inosine for Parkinson's Disease CCC  awarded by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL 2015 - 2019
  • SYN120 a Dual 5-HT6/5-HT2A Antagonist Proof of Concept Study to Evaluate its Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy in Parkinson's Disease Dementia (SYNAPSE)  awarded by MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL 2015 - 2019
  • Post-Stroke Aphasia and rTMS Treatment (PART) Study  awarded by National Institute of Child Health and Human Development/NIH/DHHS 2012 - 2018
  • Private Grant  awarded by SERINA THERAPEUTICS 2015 - 2017
  • Private Grant  awarded by ABBVIE INC 2012 - 2016
  • Private Grant  awarded by PHARMA TWO B. LTD 2014 - 2015
  • Private Grant  awarded by Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 2010 - 2014
  • Private Grant  awarded by IMPAX LABORATORIES, INC. 2012 - 2013

    • Education And Training

  • University of Alabama at Birmingham, Postdoctoral Fellowship
  • Doctor of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia 2005
  • Doctor of Philosophy, Medical College of Georgia 2003
  • Bachelor's Degree in Medicine, Agnes Scott College 1998
  • UAB Hospital, Internship 2006
  • UAB Hospital, Residency 2009
  • UAB Hospital, Postdoctoral Fellowship 2011
  • UAB Hospital, Postdoctoral Fellowship 2010

    • Full Name

  • Amy Amara