Dr Julie Simpson

PhD

School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Lecturer in Translational Neuropathology

Julie Simpson
Profile picture of Julie Simpson
julie.simpson@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 2242
Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)

Full contact details

Dr Julie Simpson
School of Medicine and Population Health
Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)
385a Glossop Road
Sheffield
S10 2HQ
Profile

I graduated from the University of Sheffield in 1995 with BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience, and was awarded a PhD in Neuroimmunology from Sheffield Hallam University in 1999. I joined the former Department of Neuroscience (now part of the School of Medicine and Population Health) at the University of Sheffield in 2002 and have been a member of the Neuropathology research group since 2004.  I was appointed Lecturer in Translational Neuropathology at SITraN in 2016 and Senior Lecturer in 2020.

Research interests

My main research interests are identifying and understanding neuroinflammatory contributions to ageing and dementia. My research primarily focusses on the detailed immunohistological characterisation and gene expression profiling of specific cell populations in the ageing brain.

Current Projects

  1. Blood brain barrier dysfunction in the ageing brain
  2. The link between systemic infection and cognitive decline in patients with dementia
  3. Microglial-mediated mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases
Publications

Journal articles

  • Ashford BA, Simpson JE, Dawson C, Boche D, Cooper‐Knock J, Heath PR, Fillingham D, Appleby‐Mallinder C, Wei W, Dunning M & Highley JR (2025) . Brain Pathology.
  • Floare M-L, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Aeschlimann D & Hadjivassiliou M (2025) . The Cerebellum, 24(3).
  • Almansouri T, Waller R, Wharton SB, Heath PR, Matthews FE, Brayne C, van Eeden F & Simpson JE (2024) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 25(8).
  • Floare M-L, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Aeschlimann D, Hoggard N & Hadjivassiliou M (2024) . Brain Communications, 6(2).
  • Mistry H, Richardson CD, Higginbottom A, Ashford B, Ahamed SU, Moore Z, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Simpson JE & Wharton SB (2024) . Neuroscience Research, 204, 22-33.
  • Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Ince PG, Richardson CD, Merrick R, Matthews FE & Brayne C (2023) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 49(4).
  • Simpson JE (2023) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(9).
  • Waller R, Hase Y, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Wyles M, Kalaria RN & Wharton SB (2023) . Translational Stroke Research, 14(3), 383-396.
  • Hase Y, Ameen‐Ali KE, Waller R, Simpson JE, Stafford C, Mahesh A, Ryan L, Pickering L, Bodman C, Hase M , Boche D et al (2022) . Brain Pathology, 32(6).
  • Vázquez-Villaseñor I, Smith CI, Thang YJR, Heath PR, Wharton SB, Blackburn DJ, Ridger VC & Simpson JE (2022) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 23(11).
  • Matuszyk MM, Garwood CJ, Ferraiuolo L, Simpson JE, Staniforth RA & Wharton SB (2022) . Journal of Neurochemistry, 160(4), 434-453.
  • Vazquez‐Villasenor I, Garwood CJ, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Mortiboys H & Wharton SB (2021) . European Journal of Neuroscience, 54(9), 6987-7005.
  • Waller R, Narramore R, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Verma N, Tinsley M, Barnes J, Haris H, Henderson FE, Matthews FE , Richardson CD et al (2021) . Brain Pathology, 31(3).
  • Bury JJ, Chambers A, Heath PR, Ince PG, Shaw PJ, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Simpson JE & Wharton SB (2021) . Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 9(1).
  • Ashford BA, Boche D, Cooper‐Knock J, Heath PR, Simpson JE & Highley JR (2021) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 47(2), 179-197.
  • Almasnouri TS, Hamilton N, Heath P, van Eeden Van Eeden F & Simpson JE (2020) . Alzheimer's & Dementia, 16(S3).
  • Fadul MM, Heath PR, Cooper-Knock J, Kurz JM, Al-Azzawi HA, Ali Z, Smith T, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Wharton SB & Simpson JE (2020) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(21).
  • Allen SP, Seehra RS, Heath PR, Hall BPC, Bates J, Garwood CJ, Matuszyk MM, Wharton SB & Simpson JE (2020) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(21).
  • Chambers A, Bury JJ, Minett T, Richardson CD, Brayne C, Ince PG, Shaw PJ, Garwood CJ, Heath PR, Simpson JE , Matthews FE et al (2020) . Journal of Neuropathology & Experimental Neurology, 79(9), 950-958.
  • MacGregor Sharp M, Saito S, Keable A, Gatherer M, Aldea R, Agarwal N, Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Weller RO & Carare RO (2020) . Acta Neuropathologica Communications, 8(1).
  • Waller R, Mandeya M, Viney E, Simpson JE & Wharton SB (2020) . Neuropathology, 40(4), 336-346.
  • Brezzo G, Simpson J, Ameen-Ali KE, Berwick J & Martin C (2020) . Brain, Behavior, & Immunity - Health, 5.
  • Vazquez-Villaseñor I, Garwood CJ, Heath PR, Simpson JE, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2020) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 46(2), 171-185.
  • Fadul MM, Garwood CJ, Waller R, Garrett N, Heath PR, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Wharton SB & Simpson JE (2020) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 21(1).
  • Ajikumar A, Long MB, Heath PR, Wharton SB, Ince PG, Ridger VC & Simpson JE (2019) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(20).
  • Goodall EF, Leach V, Wang C, Cooper-Knock J, Heath PR, Baker D, Drew DR, Saffrey MJ, Simpson JE, Romero IA & Wharton SB (2019) . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 20(12).
  • Mozumder M, Pozo JM, Coelho S, Constantini M, Simpson J, Highley JR, Ince PG & Frangi AF (2019) . NeuroImage: Clinical, 23.
  • Ameen-Ali K, Simpson J, Wharton S, Heath P, Sharp P, Brezzo G & Berwick J (2019) . Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 68(2), 609-624.
  • Coelho S, Pozo JM, Costantini M, Highley JR, Mozumder M, Simpson JE, Ince PG & Frangi AF (2019) . Data in Brief, 23.
  • López KLR, Simpson JE, Watson LC, Mortiboys H, Hautbergue GM, Bandmann O & Highley JR (2019) . Brain Research, 1706, 218-223.
  • Waller R, Baxter L, Fillingham DJ, Coelho S, Pozo JM, Mozumder M, Frangi AF, Ince PG, Simpson JE & Highley JR (2019) . PLoS One, 14(1).
  • Ameen-Ali KE, Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Heath PR, Sharp P, Brezzo G & Berwick J (2018) .
  • Ratcliffe LE, Vázquez Villaseñor I, Jennings L, Heath PR, Mortiboys H, Schwartzentruber A, Karyka E, Simpson JE, Ince PG, Garwood CJ & Wharton SB (2018) . Neuroscience, 390, 46-59.
  • Coelho S, Pozo JM, Costantini M, Highley JR, Mozumder M, Simpson JE, Ince PG & Frangi AF (2018) . NeuroImage, 179, 275-287.
  • Morgan SV, Garwood CJ, Jennings L, Simpson JE, Castelli LM, Heath PR, Mihaylov SR, Vazquez Villasenor I, Minshull TC, Ince PG , Dickman MJ et al (2018) . European Journal of Neuroscience, 47(12), 1444-1456.
  • Simpson JE, Wharton S, Brayne C, Matthews F, Heath P & Ince P (2018) . Alzheimer's & Dementia, 14(7S_Part_31).
  • Ajikumar A, Ridger V, Heath P, Wharton S, Ince P & Simpson JE (2018) . Alzheimer's & Dementia, 14(7S_Part_27).
  • Goodall EF, Wang C, Simpson JE, Baker DJ, Drew DR, Heath PR, Saffrey MJ, Romero IA & Wharton SB (2018) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 44(3), 328-340.
  • Simpson JE, Wharton SB & Heath PR (2018) , 273-284.
  • Ameen-Ali KE, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Sharp P & Berwick J (2017) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 43(7), 553-570.
  • Garwood CJ, Ratcliffe LE, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2017) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 43(4), 281-298.
  • Tu WY, Simpson JE, Highley JR & Heath PR (2017) . Neurobiology of Disease, 102, 11-20.
  • Waller R, Woodroofe MN, Wharton SB, Ince PG, Francese S, Heath PR, Cudzich-Madry A, Thomas R, Rounding N, Sharrack B & Simpson JE (2016) . Journal of Neuroimmunology, 299, 139-146.
  • Heath PR, Appleby-Mallinder C, Wyles MD, Simpson JE, Wharton SB & Ince PG (2016) . Journal of Neuroscience Methods.
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Minett T, Matthews FE, Heath PR, Shaw PJ, Goodall E, Garwood CJ, Ratcliffe LE, Brayne C , Rattray M et al (2015) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology.
  • Garwood CJ, Ratcliffe LE, Morgan SV, Simpson JE, Owens H, Vazquez-Villaseñor I, Heath PR, Romero IA, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2015) . Molecular Brain, 8.
  • Fluteau A, Ince PG, Minett T, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Garwood CJ, Ratcliffe LE, Morgan S, Heath PR, Shaw PJ , Wharton SB et al (2015) . Neuroscience Letters, 609, 11-17.
  • Al-Mashhadi S, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Dickman M, Forster G, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2015) . Brain Pathology, 25(5), 565-574.
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Matthews FE, Shaw PJ, Heath PR, Brayne C, Garwood C, Higginbottom A, Wharton SB & Ageing MRCCF (2015) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, 41(4), 483-496.
  • Wu D, Cerutti C, Lopez-Ramirez MA, Pryce G, King-Robson J, Simpson JE, van der Pol SMA, Hirst MC, de Vries HE, Sharrack B , Baker D et al (2015) . Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 35(3), 412-423.
  • Mathur R, Ince PG, Minett T, Garwood CJ, Shaw PJ, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Simpson JE & Wharton SB (2015) . PLoS One, 10(2).
  • Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Brayne C & Ince PG (2015) . BRAIN PATHOLOGY, 25(1), 35-43.
  • Garwood CJ, Simpson JE, Al Mashhadi S, Axe C, Wilson S, Heath PR, Shaw PJ, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Ince PG , Wharton SB et al (2014) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 40(7), 802-814.
  • Asi YT, Lees AJ, Revesz T, Holton JL, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Wharton SB & Houlden H (2014) . GLIA.
  • Lopez-Ramirez MA, Wu D, Pryce G, Simpson JE, Reijerkerk A, King-Robson J, Kay O, de Vries HE, Hirst MC, Sharrack B , Baker D et al (2014) . FASEB J, 28(6), 2551-2565.
  • Highley JR, Gebril OH, Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Kirby J, O'Brien JT, Barber R, Kalaria RN, Brayne C, Lewis CE , Shaw PJ et al (2014) . Journal of Aging Science, 2(1).
  • Janaway BM, Simpson JE, Hoggard N, Highley JR, Forster G, Drew D, Gebril OH, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Wharton SB , Ince PG et al (2014) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 40(3), 258-269.
  • Garwood C, Faizullabhoy A, Wharton SB, Ince PG, Heath PR, Shaw PJ, Baxter L, Gelsthorpe C, Forster G, Matthews FE , Brayne C et al (2013) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 39(7), 788-799.
  • Stephan BCM, Wharton SB, Simpson J, Matthews FE, Ince P & Brayne C (2012) . Neurodegenerative Disease Management, 2(5), 471-482.
  • Lace G, Ince PG, Brayne C, Savva GM, Matthews FE, de Silva R, Simpson JE & Wharton SB (2012) . Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 34(1), 15-24.
  • Waller R, Woodroofe MN, Francese S, Heath PR, Wharton SB, Ince PG, Sharrack B & Simpson JE (2012) . J Neurosci Methods, 208(2), 108-113.
  • Viggars AP, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Savva GM, Garwood C, Drew D, Shaw PJ & Ince PG (2011) . Neuroscience Letters, 505(1), 25-30.
  • Gebril OH, Simpson JE, Kirby J, Brayne C & Ince PG (2011) . Neuromolecular Medicine, 13(4), 289-299.
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Shaw PJ, Heath PR, Raman R, Garwood CJ, Gelsthorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Matthews FE , Brayne C et al (2011) . NEUROBIOL AGING, 32(10), 1795-1807.
  • Viggars AP, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Matthews FE, Brayne C, Savva GM, Garwood C, Drew D, Shaw PJ & Ince PG (2011) . Neurosci Lett, 505(1), 25-30.
  • Simpson J, Ince P, Heath P, Raman R, Garwood C, Shaw P, Gelstorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Fiona M , Savva G et al (2011) . Alzheimer's & Dementia, 7(4S_Part_16).
  • Wharton SB, Brayne C, Savva GM, Matthews FE, Forster G, Simpson J, Lace G, Ince PG & Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Aging Study (2011) . J Alzheimers Dis, 25(2), 359-372.
  • Gebril OH, Simpson JE, Kirby J, Brayne C & Ince PG (2011) Brain Iron Dysregulation and the Risk of Ageing White Matter Lesions. NeuroMolecular Medicine, 1-11.
  • Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Cooper J, Gelsthorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Shaw PJ, Savva G, Matthews FE, Brayne C & Ince PG (2010) . Neuroscience Letters, 486(3), 246-251.
  • Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Cooper J, Gelsthorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Shaw PJ, Savva G, Matthews FE, Brayne C & Ince PG (2010) . Neurosci Lett, 486(3), 246-251.
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Haynes LJ, Theaker R, Gelsthorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Lace GL, Shaw PJ, Matthews FE , Savva GM et al (2010) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 36(1), 25-40.
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Lace G, Forster G, Shaw PJ, Matthews F, Savva G, Brayne C, Wharton SB & MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Neuropathology Study Group (2010) . Neurobiol Aging, 31(4), 578-590.
  • Wharton SB, O'Callaghan JP, Savva GM, Nicoll JAR, Matthews F, Simpson JE, Forster G, Shaw PJ, Brayne C, Ince PG & MRC Cognitive Function and Ageing Neuropathology Study Group (2009) . Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord, 27(5), 465-473.
  • Simpson JE, Hosny O, Wharton SB, Heath PR, Holden H, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Forster G, O'Brien JT, Barber R , Kalaria RN et al (2009) . Stroke, 40(2), 369-375.
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Higham CE, Gelsthorpe CH, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Forster G, O'Brien JT, Barber R, Kalaria RN , Brayne C et al (2007) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 33(6), 670-683.
  • Simpson JE, Fernando MS, Clark L, Ince PG, Matthews F, Forster G, O'Brien JT, Barber R, Kalaria RN, Brayne C , Shaw PJ et al (2007) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 33(4), 410-419.
  • Fernando MS, Simpson JE, Matthews F, Brayne C, Lewis CE, Barber R, Kalaria RN, Forster G, Esteves F, Wharton SB , Shaw PJ et al (2006) . Stroke, 37(6), 1391-1398.
  • Hadjivassiliou M, Boscolo S, Davies-Jones GAB, Grünewald RA, Not T, Sanders DS, Simpson JE, Tongiorgi E, Williamson CA & Woodroofe NM (2002) . Neurology, 58(8), 1221-1226.
  • Hadjivassiliou M, Grunewald RA, Davies-Jones GAB, Simpson JE, Williamson CA, Woodroofe MN, Boscolo S, Tongiorgi E & Not T (2001) Humoral response in the pathogenesis of gluten ataxia. ANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, 50(3), S37-S37.
  • Simpson JE & Woodroofe MN (2001) . Inflammopharmacology, 9(1-2), 23-33.
  • John GR, Simpson JE, Woodroofe MN, Lee SC & Brosnan CF (2001) Extracellular nucleotides differentially regulate interleukin-1 beta signaling in primary human astrocytes: Implications for inflammatory gene expression. J NEUROSCI, 21(12), 4134-4142.
  • Simpson JE, Newcombe J, Cuzner ML & Woodroofe MN (2000) . Neuropathol Appl Neurobiol, 26(2), 133-142.
  • Simpson J, Rezaie P, Newcombe J, Cuzner ML, Male D & Woodroofe MN (2000) . J Neuroimmunol, 108(1-2), 192-200.
  • Woodroofe N, Cross AK, Harkness K & Simpson JE (1999) . Adv Exp Med Biol, 468, 135-150.
  • Simpson JE, Hadjivassiliou M, Grunewald R, Smith C, Davies-Jones GAB & Woodroofe MN (1998) . Journal of Neuroimmunology, 90(1), 32-32.
  • Simpson JE, Newcombe J, Cuzner ML & Woodroofe MN (1998) . J Neuroimmunol, 84(2), 238-249.
  • Waller R, Murphy M, Garwood C, Jennings L, Heath P, Chambers A, Matthews F, Brayne C, Ince P, Wharton S & Simpson J () . Glia.

Conference proceedings

  • Floare M-L, Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Aeschlimann D & Hadjivassiliou M (2025) Defining TG6 Autoimmunity in Gluten Ataxia. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 51
  • Moore Z, Wharton S & Simpson J (2025) Characterisation of the Astrocyte Phenotype in Response to Systemic Infection in Alzheimer's Disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 51
  • Ashford BA, Appleby-Mallinder CS, Dawson C, Matuszyk MM, Heath PR, Wei W, Dunning MJ, Boche D, Simpson JE & Highley JR (2023) Inflammatory pathology in human motor neuron disease. JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY, Vol. 261 (pp S5-S5)
  • Matuszyk M, Ferraiuolo L, Taylor A, Davis P, Staniforth R, Garwood C, Simpson J & Wharton S (2022) Characterising the astrocyte response to oligomeric and fibrillary Aβ1-42 in Alzheimer's disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 48
  • Thang Y, Vazquez-Villasenor I, Smith C, Blackburn D, Wharton S, Heath P, Ridger V & Simpson J (2022) The miRNA profile of neutrophil-derived microvesicles may impact blood-brain barrier integrity in Alzheimer's disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 48
  • Floare M, Simpson J, Wharton S, Aeschlimann D & Hadjivassiliou M (2022) Demystifying the gluten brain: Understanding the origin of gluten-related neurological disorders. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 48
  • Ashford B, Dunning M, Wei W, Heath P, Boche D, Simpson J & Highley R (2022) Exploring the neuroinflammatory response of the motor cortex and spinal cord in human motor neurone disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 48
  • Almansouri T, Heath P, Wharton S, Van Eeden F & Simpson J (2022) Microarray approach to identifying the role of microglia in the pathogenesis of age-associated deep-subcortical white matter lesions. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 48
  • Waller R, Heath PR, Simpson JE, Hase Y, Kalaria RN & Wharton SB (2021) What happens to cells of the brain in people who develop dementia after stroke?. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 47 (pp 8-8)
  • Ashford B, Appleby-Mallinder C, Boche D, Wei W, Heath P, Simpson J & Highley R (2021) Exploring the Neuroinflammatory Response of the Motor Regions in Human Motor Neurone Disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 47 (pp 11-11)
  • Guagnelli MAR, Wharton S, Francis S & Simpson J (2021) The effect of systemic atherosclerosis on the neurovascular unit. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 47 (pp 21-21)
  • (2020) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Vol. 46(S1) (pp 5-6)
  • Jennings O, Ajikumar A, Heath PR, Wharton SB & Simpson JE (2020) Transcriptomic profile of the blood-brain barrier in age-associated white matter lesions. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 46 (pp 46-46)
  • Hase Y, Foster V, Waller R, Simpson JE, Heath P, Wharton SB & Kalaria RN (2020) 121st Meeting of the British Neuropathological Society UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 46 (pp 14-15)
  • Waller S, Baxter L, Fillingham D, Coelho S, Pozo JM, Mozumder M, Frangi A, Ince PG, Simpson JE & Highley JR (2019) . Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Vol. 45(S1) (pp 33-33). London, UK, 6 March 2019 - 6 March 2019.
  • Leach V, Goodall E, Cooper-Knock J, Wang C, Simpson J, Baker D, Drew D, Saffrey MJ, Romero I, Heath P & Wharton S (2019) Identification of miRNA and mRNA regulatory networks in the ageing blood-brain barrier: Comparative gene expression studies in human and mouse. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 45 (pp 31-31)
  • Vazquez-Villasenor I, Garwood CJ, Heath PR, Simpson JE & Wharton SB (2019) Investigating senescence activation in response to oxidative DNA damage in neurones in vitro. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 45 (pp 39-39)
  • Mistry H, Simpson J, Chambers A, Garwood C, Ince P, Heath P & Wharton S (2019) Cholesterol dysregulation in the neurone-astrocyte unit as an early contributor to neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 45 (pp 15-16)
  • Rebollar MA, Wharton S, Francis S & Simpson J (2019) The effect of systemic atherosclerosis in the neurovascular unit. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 45 (pp 31-31)
  • Ashford BA, Appleby-Mallinder CS, Heath P, Simpson JE & Highley R (2019) The role of immunity in human motor neuron disease (MND). NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 45 (pp 24-24)
  • Fadul MM, Heath P, Cooper-Knock J, Brayne C, Matthews F, Wharton S & Simpson J (2019) A microarray analysis approach to identify mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of age-associated periventricular white matter lesions. GLIA, Vol. 67 (pp E300-E300)
  • Seehra RS, Wharton S, Heath P, Ince P, Muthana M, Garwood C & Simpson J (2018) Hypoxia-induced changes in astrocytes and their role in the formation of age-associated white matter lesions. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 44 (pp 17-18)
  • Chambers A, Minett T, Matthews F, Brayne C, Ince P, Shaw P, Heath P, Simpson J & Wharton S (2018) Advanced glycosylated end products in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 44 (pp 12-12)
  • Leach V, Goodall E, Cooper-Knock J, Wang J, Simpson J, Baker D, Drew D, Saffrey J, Romero I, Heath P & Wharton S (2018) Identification of miRNA and mRNA regulatory networks in the ageing blood-brain barrier: Comparative gene expression studies in human and mouse. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 44 (pp 36-36)
  • Coelho S, Highley R, Pozo J, Costantini M, Mozumder M, Simpson J, Ince P & Frangi A (2018) Local volume fraction distributions of axons, astrocytes, and myelin in deep subcortical white matter lesions and normal white matter in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 44 (pp 26-26)
  • Ameen-Ali KE, Simpson JE, Wharton SB, Heath PR, Sharp P & Berwick J (2017) Early cellular changes and cognitive decline in an Alzheimer's mouse model. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 43 (pp 42-43)
  • Vazquez-Villasenor I, Simpson JE, Garwood CJ, Ince PG, Heath PR & Wharton SB (2017) Neuronal senescence as a contributor to neurodegeneration. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 43 (pp 43-43)
  • Ratcliffe L, Garwood CJ, Heath P, Villasenor I, Simpson J, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2016) Impairment of IGF1 signalling in human astrocytes and it's effect on astrocyte support for neurons. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 42 (pp 51-52)
  • Vazquez-Villasenor I, Simpson JE, Garwood C, Ince PG, Heath P & Wharton SB (2016) Neuronal senescence as a contributor to neurodegeneration. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 42 (pp 27-28)
  • Vazquez-Villasenor I, Simpson JE, Garwood C, Ince PG, Heath P & Wharton SB (2015) Neuronal senescence as a contributor to neurodegeneration. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 41 (pp 32-32)
  • Ramos I, Walter R, Simpson J, Woodroofe N & Lyng F (2014) . Journal of Neuroimmunology, Vol. 275(1-2) (pp 128-128)
  • Alsomali KY, Simpson J & Heath PR (2014) Investigating RNA editing in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. FEBS JOURNAL, Vol. 281 (pp 685-686)
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Matthews F, Shaw PJ, Heath PR, Brayne C, Garwood C, Abdalla H, Higginbottom A & Wharton SB (2014) A neuronal DNA damage response is detected at low Braak stages and correlates with cognitive impairment in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 40 (pp 31-32)
  • Al-Mashhadi SA, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Dickman MJ, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2014) Oxidative stress and DNA damage in cerebral white matter lesions of the ageing human brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 40 (pp 33-34)
  • Al-Mashhadi SA, Simpson JE, Heath PR, Dickman MJ, Ince PG & Wharton SB (2013) Oxidative stress and DNA damage in cerebral white matter lesions of the ageing human brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 39 (pp 36-37)
  • Ince PG, Janaway B, Wharton SB, Simpson JE, Highley JR, Matthews FE, Forster G & Brayne C (2013) Evidence for an ischemic origin of deep brain 'microbleeds'. CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES, Vol. 35 (pp 42-42)
  • Lopez-Ramirez MA, Wu D, Pryce G, Simpson JE, Reijerkerk A, King-Robson J, de Vries HE, Hirst MC, Sharrack B, Baker D , Michael GJ et al (2012) Endothelial miR-155 promotes blood brain barrier dysfunction in neuroinflammation. JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 253(1-2) (pp 3-4)
  • Waller R, Heath PR, Woodroofe MN, Francese S, Wharton SB, Ince PG, Sharrack B & Simpson JE (2012) Microarray analysis of the astrocyte transcriptome in normal appearing white matter in multiple sclerosis. JOURNAL OF NEUROIMMUNOLOGY, Vol. 253(1-2) (pp 54-54)
  • Simpson J, Richardson K, Heath P & Wharton S (2011) Oxidative nucleic acid damage in motor neuron disease. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 37 (pp 36-36)
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Heath PR, Raman R, Shaw PJ, Gelsthorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Matthews F, Savva G , Brayne C et al (2011) Microarray analysis of the astrocyte transcriptome in the ageing brain: relationship to Alzheimer's pathology and ApoE genotype. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 37 (pp 33-33)
  • Simpson J, Ince P, Heath P, Raman R, Shaw P, Gelsthorpe C, Baxter L, Forster G, Matthews F, Savva G , Brayne C et al (2010) Microarray analysis of the astrocyte transcriptome in the ageing brain: relationship to Alzheimer's pathology and ApoE genotype. BRAIN PATHOLOGY, Vol. 20 (pp 46-46)
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Theaker R, Haynes L, Forster G, Shaw PJ, Matthews F, Savva G, Brayne C, Wharton SB & MRC Cognitive Function & Ageing Ne (2009) Evidence of an astrocytic DNA damage response to oxidative stress in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 35 (pp 18-19)
  • Simpson J, Ince P, Theaker R, Haynes L, Forster G, Shaw P, Matthews F, Savva G, Brayne C & Wharton S (2008) DNA oxidative damage and repair mechanisms in astrocytes, and their relationship to Alzheimer-type pathology in the ageing brain. JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION, Vol. 115(12) (pp 1727-1727)
  • Hosny O, Kirby J, Simpson J & Ince P (2008) Iron metabolism pathways in white matter lesions in the elderly. JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION, Vol. 115(12) (pp 1717-1718)
  • Simpson JE, Ince PG, Lace G, Forster G, Shaw PJ, Matthews F, Brayne C, Wharton SB & MRC Cognitive Function Ageing (2008) Characterisation of astrocytes in relation to Alzheimer-type pathology in the ageing brain using a population-based neuropathology cohort. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 34 (pp 31-31)
  • Simpson JE, El-Sayed OH, Wharton SB, Heath P, Holden H, Forster G, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Brayne C, Lewis CE , Barber R et al (2008) Microarray gene expression analysis of deep subcortical lesions in the ageing brain reveals changes in multiple functional pathways. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 34 (pp 30-31)
  • Simpson JE, El-Sayed OH, Wharton SB, Heath P, Holden H, Forster G, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Brayne C, Lewis CE , Barber R et al (2007) Microarray gene expression profiling of deep subcortical lesions in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 33(2) (pp 254-255)
  • Simpson JE, Higham CE, Gelsthorpe CH, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Forster G, O'Brien JT, Barber R, Kalaria RN, Brayne C , Shaw PJ et al (2007) Microglial activation in white matter of the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 33(2) (pp 255-255)
  • Hosny O, Highley JR, Simpson JE, Forster G, Wharton SB & Ince PG (2007) Axonal number and myelin sheath degeneration in MRI hyperintense white matter lesions in the aging brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 33(2) (pp 266-267)
  • Ince PG, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Brayne C, Wharton SB, O'Brien JT, Lewis C, Kalaria RN, Shaw PJ & Simpson J (2006) Molecular markers of tissue hypoxia and glial pathology associated with incidental white matter lesions in the ageing brain. BRAIN PATHOLOGY, Vol. 16 (pp S92-S92)
  • Simpson JE, Fernando MS, Matthews F, Brayne C, Lewis CE, Barber R, Kalaria RN, Forster G, Esteves F, Wharton SB , Shaw PJ et al (2006) Molecular markers of tissue hypoxia are associated with deep subcortical white matter lesions in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 32(2) (pp 224-224)
  • Simpson JE, Fernando MS, Clark L, Ince PG, Matthews F, Forster G, O'Brien JT, Barber R, Kalaria RN, Brayne C , Shaw PJ et al (2006) Glial cell pathology of periventricular and deep white matter lesions in the ageing brain. NEUROPATHOLOGY AND APPLIED NEUROBIOLOGY, Vol. 32(2) (pp 224-225)
  • Owasil R, O’Neill R, Keable A, Nimmo J, MacGregor Sharp M, Kelly L, Saito S, Simpson JE, Weller RO, Smith C , Attems J et al () . International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Vol. 21(4) (pp 1225-1225)

Preprints

  • Ashford BA, Simpson JE, Dawson C, Boche D, Cooper-Knock J, Heath PR, Fillingham D, Appleby-Mallinder C, Wei W, Dunning M & Highley JR (2025) , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
  • Brezzo G, Simpson J, Ameen-Ali KE, Berwick J & Martin C (2019) , Springer Science and Business Media LLC.
Research group

PhD students

  • Mara Floare.  Supervisors: Julie Simpson, Marios Hadjivassilou  “TG6 autoimmunity and the development of neurological dysfunction in gluten sensitivity related disorders”
  • Zoe Moore.  Supervisors: Julie Simpson, Steve Wharton “Does systemic infection modulate astrocyte function in Alzheimer’s disease?”
Teaching interests

I am involved in teaching on all MSc courses within the Division of Neuroscience.  I am Course Lead of the MSc Translational Neuroscience, a course which is designed for students interested in gaining the practical, lab-based skills necessary to understand neurological diseases at the molecular and cellular level, and how to apply this knowledge to benefit patients.   

I was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from Sheffield Hallam University in 1999, became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2011, and a Senior Fellow of the HEA in 2019.

Teaching activities

I am involved in teaching on all MSc courses within the Department of Neuroscience.  I am Course Lead of the MSc Translational Neuropathology, a course which combines core teaching of the fundamental aspects of the major neuropathological diseases with significant emphasis on the development of practical laboratory skills, and Course Lead of the MSc Translational Neuroscience, a course which is focused on the molecular basis of neurodegeneration, and looks at how laboratory research relating to brain structure and function informs the development of new therapies for diseases of the nervous system.  

I was awarded a Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from Sheffield Hallam University in 1999, became a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2011, and a Senior Fellow of the HEA in 2019.

Professional activities and memberships
  • Alzheimer’s Research UK Yorkshire Network Co-ordinator
  • Peer review of submitted papers for journals including Acta Neuropathologica, Brain Behaviour & Immunity, Glia, Journal of Neuroimmunology, Neuropathology and Applied Neurobiology, Neuroscience Letters, FASEB and PLOS One.
  • Peer review of grant applications for funding bodies including the Alzheimer’s Society, MRC, BBSRC and NC3Rs.
  • Ethics reviewer for the School of Medicine

Membership of Associations and Societies

  • British Neuropathological Society
  • British Neuroscience Association
  • Pathological Society

Links