Dr Deborah Mason
MBChB, FRACP
Consultant neurologist
Department of Neurology, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch
Clinical Senior Lecturer
Department of Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch
Neurologist, MS Research
New Zealand Brain Research Institute, Christchurch
I am a Consultant neurologist at Christchurch hospital and currently lead the MS research group whose principal focus is clinical research into the disease multiple sclerosis. In 2006 the MS research group completed a nationwide study into the prevalence of MS identifying 3,000 people with MS in New Zealand. This study lead to an international collaboration (ANZgene) involving over 1500 New Zealand MS patients who contributed genetic samples resulting in the identification of 29 novel genes in MS. The group’s current research projects include a nationwide incidence study of MS and a Vitamin D intervention trial in people with early MS. Other research interests include finding imaging biomarkers for MS pathology and prognosis. We are currently performing an MRI study measuring perfusion, diffusion and resting-state functional MRI on grey and white matter in patients with early and established relapsing onset multiple sclerosis.
Publications
Provided on request for non-commercial personal use by researchers.
2023
Claflin, S., Campbell, J. A., Norman, R., Mason, D. F., Kalincik, T., Simpson-Yap, S., ... , Taylor, B. V. (2023). Using the EQ-5D-5L to investigate quality-of-life impacts of disease-modifying therapy policies for people with multiple sclerosis (MS) in New Zealand. The European Journal of Health Economics,
24, .
10.1007/s10198-022-01518-x
Leadbetter, R., MacAskill, M., Myall, D. J., Taylor, B. V., Joshi, P., Mason, D. F. (2023). Multiple sclerosis mortality in New Zealand: a nationwide prospective study. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, .
10.1136/jnnp-2022-330582
2022
Bukhari, W., Khalilidehkordi, E., Mason, D. F., Barnett, M. H., Taylor, B. V., Fabis-Pedrini, M., ... , Broadley, S. A. (2022). NMOSD and MS prevalence in the Indigenous populations of Australia and New Zealand. Journal of Neurology,
269(2), .
10.1007/s00415-021-10665-9
Claflin, S. B., Campbell, J. A., Mason, D. F., Kalincik, T., Simpson-Yap, S., Norman, R., ... , Taylor, B. V. (2022). The effect of national disease-modifying therapy subsidy policy on long-term disability outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis. Multiple Sclerosis Journal,
28(5), .
10.1177/13524585211035948
Smyrke, N., Dunn, N., Murley, C., Mason, D. (2022). Standardized mortality ratios in multiple sclerosis: Systematic review with meta‐analysis. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica,
Vol 145(3), .
10.1111/ane.13559
2021
Beharry, J., Palmer, D., Wu, T., Wilson, D., Le Heron, C., Mason, D., Reimers, J., Fink, J., Mulder, R., Duncan, R. (2021). Functional neurological disorders presenting as emergencies to secondary care. European Journal of Neurology,
28, .
10.1111/ene.14728
Le Heron, C., MacAskill, M.R., Mason, D., Dalrymple-Alford, J., Anderson, T.J., Pitcher, T., Myall, D.J. (2021). A multi-step model of Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis. Movement Disorders,
36, .
10.1002/mds.28719
Wu, T. Y., Myall, D., Palmer, D., Beharry, J., Lim, J. Y., Mason, D. F., Reimers, J., Duncan, R., Weaver, J., Collecutt, W., Mouthaan, P., Lim, A., Hurrell, M. A., Barber, P. A., Ranta, A., Fink, J. N., Le Heron, C. J. (2021). Increased large vessel occlusive strokes following the Christchurch 2019 March 15 terror attack. Neurology,
96, .
10.1212/WNL.0000000000011341
Zhong, C. S., Beharry, J., Salazar, D., Smith, K., Withington, S., Campbell, B. C. V., Wilson, D., Le Heron, C., Mason, D., Duncan, R., Reimers, J., Mein-Smith, F., Diprose, W. K., Barber, P. A., Ranta, A., Fink, J. N., Wu, T. Y. (2021). Routine use of tenecteplase for thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke. Stroke, 52(3),
1087–1090.
10.1161/STROKEAHA.120.030859
2018
Castellazzi, G., Debernard, L., Melzer, T. R., Dalrymple-Alford, J. C., D’Angelo, E., Miller, D. H., Wheeler-Kingshott, C. A., Mason, D. F. (2018). Functional connectivity alterations reveal complex mechanisms based on clinical and radiological status in mild relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis. Frontiers in Neurology,
9, .
10.3389/fneur.2018.00690
Wu, T. Y., Coleman, E., Wright, S. L., Mason, D. F., Reimers, J., Duncan, R., Griffiths, M., Hurrell, M., Dixon, D., Weaver, J., Meretoja, A., Fink, J. N. (2018). Helsinki stroke model is transferrable with “real-world” resources and reduced stroke thrombolysis delay to 34 min in Christchurch. Frontiers in Neurology,
9, .
10.3389/fneur.2018.00290
2017
Pearson, J. F., Alla, S., Clarke, G., Mason, D. F., Anderson, T., Richardson, A., Miller, D. H., Sabel, C. E., Abernethy, D. A., Willoughby, E. W., Taylor, B. V. (2017). Multiple sclerosis impact on employment and income in New Zealand. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica,
136, .
10.1111/ane.12714
2016
Alla, S., Pearson, J. F., Taylor, B. V., Miller, D. H., Clarke, G., Richardson, A., Willoughby, E., Abernethy, D. A., Sabel, C. E., Mason, D. F. (2016). Disability profile of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience,
28, .
10.1016/j.jocn.2015.09.020
Alla, S., Pearson, J. F., Taylor, B. V., Roxburgh, R., Clarke, G., Miller, D. H., Richardson, A., Abernethy, D. A., Willoughby, E., Sabel, C. E., Mason, D. F. (2016). An investigation of the relationship between latitude and multiple sclerosis severity in New Zealand. Multiple Sclerosis,
22, .
10.1177/1352458515605909
2015
Broadley, S. A., Barnett, M. H., Boggild, M., Brew, B. J., Butzkueven, H., Heard, R., Hodgkinson, S., Kermode, A. G., Lechner-Scott, J., Macdonell, R. A., Marriott, M., Mason, D. F., Parratt, J., Reddel, S. W., Shaw, C. P., Slee, M., Spies, J. M., Taylor, B. V., Carroll, W. M., Kilpatrick, T. J., . . . Willoughby, E. (2015). A new era in the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Medical Journal of Australia,
203(3), .
10.5694/mja14.01218
Debernard, L., Melzer, T. R., Alla, S., Eagle, J., Van Stockum, S., Graham, C., Osborne, J. R., Dalrymple-Alford, J. C., Miller, D. H., Mason, D. F. (2015). Deep grey matter MRI abnormalities and cognitive function in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging.
10.1016/j.pscychresns.2015.10.00
Gu, B. J., Field, J., Dutertre, S., Ou, A., Kilpatrick, T. J., Lechner-Scott, J., Scott, R., Lea, R., Taylor, B. V., Stankovich, J., Butzkueven, H., Gresle, M., Laws, S. M., Petrou, S., Hoffjan, S., Akkad, D. A., Graham, C. A., Hawkins, S., Glaser, A., Bedri, S. K., . . . Wiley, J. S. (2015). A rare P2X7 variant Arg307Gln with absent pore formation function protects against neuroinflammation in multiple sclerosis. Human Molecular Genetics,
24(19), .
10.1093/hmg/ddv278
2014
Alla, S. , Mason, D.F. (2014). Multiple sclerosis in New Zealand. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience,
21, .
10.1016/j.jocn.2013.09.009
Alla, S., Pearson, J., Debernard, L., Miller, D. , Mason, D. (2014). The increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand. Neuroepidemiology,
42, 154-16.
10.1007/s00702-013-1123-9
Debernard, L., Melzer, T. R., Van Stockum, S., Graham, C., Wheeler-Kingshott, C. A., Dalrymple-Alford, J. C., Miller, D. H. , Mason, D.F. (2014). Reduced grey matter perfusion without volume loss in early relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, .
10.1136/jnnp-2013-305612
Pearson, J. F., Alla, S., Clarke, G., Taylor, B. V., Miller, D. H., Richardson, A., Mason, D.F. (2014). Multiple sclerosis in New Zealand Maori. Multiple Sclerosis,
20(14), .
10.1177/1352458514535130
2013
The International Multiple Sclerois Genetics Consortium (2013). (2013), Analysis of Immune-related loci identifies 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis. Nature Genetics,
45, .
2012
Byrne, S., Mason, D. (2012). A review of interferon use in patients with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis in the Canterbury region, New Zealand 2000-2006. New Zealand Medical Journal,
125 (1350, .
Richardson, A. K., Clarke, G., Sabel, C. E., Pearson, J. F., Mason, D. F., Taylor, B.V. (2012). Method for identifying eligible individuals for a prevalence survey in the absence of a disease register or population register. International Medical Journal,
42, .
Trojano, M., Lucchese, G., Graziano, G., Taylor, B. V., Simpson, S. J., Lepore, V., Grand'maison, F., Duquette, P., Izquierdo, G., Grammond, P., Amato, M. P., Bergamaschi, R., Giuliani, G., Boz, C., Hupperts, R. et al. , on behalf of the MSBase Study Group and the New Zealand MS Prevalence Study Group (2012). Geographical variations in sex ratio trends over time in multiple sclerosis. PLoS One, 7,
e48078..
10.1371/journal.pone.0048078
2011
The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (2011). and the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium 2 (WTCCC2) (2011), Genetic risk and a primary role for cell-mediated immune mechanisms in multiple sclerosis. Nature,
476, .
10.1038/nature10251
2010
Anderson, N. E., Somaratne, J., Mason, D. F., Holland, D., Thomas, M.G. (2010). A review of tuberculous meningitis at Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience,
17, .
10.1016/j.jocn.2010.01.007
Anderson, N. E., Somaratne, J., Mason, D. F., Holland, D., Thomas, M.G. (2010). Neurological and systemic complications of tuberculous meningitis and its treatment at Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience,
17, .
10.1016/j.jocn.2010.01.006
Taylor, B. V., Pearson, J. F., Clarke, G., Mason, D. F., Abernethy, D. A., Willoughby, E., Sabel, C. (2010). MS prevalence in New Zealand, an ethnically and latitudinally diverse country. Multiple Sclerosis,
16, .
10.1177/1352458510379614
2009
Young, J. W., Mason, D. F., Taylor, B.V. (2009). Acute inflammatory encephalomyelitis following Campylobacter enteritis associated with high titre antiganglioside GM1 IgG antibodies. Journal of Clinical Neuroscience,
16, .
10.1016/j.jocn.2008.06.024
2005
Anderson, N. E., Mason, D. F., Fink, J. N., Bergin, P. S., Charleston, A. J. , Gamble, G.D. (2005). Detection of focal cerebral hemisphere lesions using the neurological examination. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry with Practical Neurology,
76, .
10.1136/jnnp.2004.043679
2004
Canadian MS Working Group (2004). Treatment optimization in multiple sclerosis. Canadian Journal of Neurological Science,
31, .
Abstracts and Short papers
2016
Mason, D., Pearson, J., Richardson, A., Alla, S. (2016). New Zealand nation-wide population-based multiple sclerosis incidence study shows increasing north-south latitude gradient (Abstract, poster 1, 399). Neurology,
86 (16, Suppl).
2015
Alla, S., Pearson, J. F., Clarke, G., Mason, D. F., Miller, D. H., Richardson, A., Anderson, T., Abernethy, D., Willoughby, E., Sabel, C.E., Taylor, B. V. (2015). Employment among persons with multiple sclerosis in New Zealand (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis Journal,
23(11, Suppl.), .
10.1177/1352458515602642
Alla, S., Pearson, J. F., Taylor, B. V., Miller, D. H., Richardson, A., Clarke, G., Abernethy, D., Willoughby, E., Sabel, C.E., Mason, D. F. (2015). Age has an effect on disability independent of age at onset of symptoms and disease duration (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis Journal,
23(11, Suppl.), .
10.1177/1352458515602642
Alla, S., Taylor, B. V., Pearson, J. F., Richardson, A., Miller, D. H., Clarke, G., Abernethy, D., Willoughby, E., Sabel, C.E., Mason, D. F. (2015). Characteristics of familial multiple sclerosis in New Zealand: A country-wide population based study (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis Journal,
23 (11, Suppl.), .
10.1177/1352458515602639
2014
Alla, S, Pearson, J, Richardson, A, Mason, D. (2014). The incidence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand: a prospective, nationwide population-based study (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis Journal,
20:(S1), .
10.1177/1352458514546077
2013
Alla, S., Pearson, J. , Mason, D. (2013). The increasing prevalence of multiple sclerosis in New Zealand (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis,
19(S11), .
10.1177/1352458513502429
Alla, S., Roxburgh, R., Pearson, J., Taylor, B. , Mason, D. (2013). Latitude is not associated with multiple sclerosis disability in New Zealand (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis,
9(S11), .
10.1177/1352458513502433
Debernard, L., Alla, S., Melzer, T., Van Stockum, S., Graham, C., Dalrymple-Alford, J., Miller, DH, Mason, D (2013). Cortical perfusion is associated with cognitive function in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis patients (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis,
19(S11), .
10.1177/1352458513502429
2012
Alla, S., Pearson, J., Clarke, G., Taylor, B. , Mason, D. (2012). The low prevalence of multiple sclerosis in Maori is not responsible for the latitude gradient in New Zealand (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis,
18(S4), .
10.1177/1352458512459019
Alla, S., Pearson, J., Clarke, G., Taylor, B. , Mason, D. (2012). The clinical characteristics of multiple sclerosis in Maori are homogeneous with that of the national cohort (Abstract). Multiple Sclerosis,
18(S4), .
10.1177/1352458512459021
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