Gabrielle Todd

Research Interests

Motor Control Neurology and Neuromuscular Diseases Neurosciences Substance Abuse

Teaching Strengths

Neuroscience and Human Physiology

APrf Gabrielle Todd

Associate Professor of Neuroscience

School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science

College of Health

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Available For Media Comment.

Associate Professor Gabrielle Todd is a neuroscientist that specialises in neural control of movement in humans. She leads the Neurophysiology of Human Movement Group and two large multidisciplinary teams of researchers that are investigating early diagnosis and disease processes in Parkinson’s disease and the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine on movement.
She has over 60 publications on human motor circuitry and movement and her work has been cited over 2,800 times in the scientific literature. Several of her journal articles are ranked in the top 5% for the field (for publication year). Four of her papers have also been the subject of Editorials in international journals. The quality and significance of her research has been recognised with two NHMRC Fellowships, three prizes for research excellence, and Editorial Board Membership (Journal of Applied Physiology).
Associate Professor Todd has a passion for science that extends beyond her immediate research interests. She has volunteered for numerous roles that aid in the promotion of science to school children and the wider community and gives regular media interviews.

Our group is currently investigating the long-lasting effects of methamphetamine use on movement and movement-related brain regions. Our world leading research suggests that methamphetamine use is associated with signs of parkinsonism in young adults and increased risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life.

Year Citation
2025 Chau, M. T., Agzarian, M., Wilcox, R. A., & Todd, G. (2025). Does age, sex, and area of substantia nigra echogenicity predict the MRI appearance of nigrosome-1?. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 469(123383), 1-11.
DOI
2025 Chau, S., Agzarian, M., Wilcox, R. A., & Todd, G. (2025). Does age, sex, and substantia nigra echogenicity predict the appearance of nigrosome-1 on susceptibility-weighted MRI?. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 72(S1), 21-22.
2024 Todd, G., Kreilaus, F., Lonergan, A. S., Cameron, M. S., & Double, K. L. (2024). The background and experience of neuroscience teachers in Australian universities: A cross-sectional survey. PLoS ONE, 19(10), 1-16.
DOI
2023 Chau, M. S., Agzarian, M., Wilcox, R. A., Dwyer, A., Bezak, E., & Todd, G. (2023). Simple quantitative planimetric measurement of nigrosome-1 for the diagnosis of Parkinson's disease in clinical settings. Journal of Medical Radiation Sciences, 70(S1), 10.
2023 Etherington, S. J., Moorhouse, A. J., Paravicini, T. M., Towstoless, M. K., Hayes, A., Hryciw, D. H., . . . Todd, G. (2023). Unpacking and validating the 'cell membrane' core concept of physiology by an Australian team. Advances in Physiology Education, 47(3), 575-581.
DOI
2023 Estaphan, S., Wadley, G. D., Todd, G., Towstoless, M., Hryciw, D. H., Lexis, L., . . . Tangalakis, K. (2023). Unpacking and validating the "physiological adaptation" core concept of physiology. Advances in physiology education, 47(4), 831-837.
DOI
2023 Todd, G., Rae, C. D., Taylor, J. L., Rogasch, N. C., Butler, J. E., Hayes, M., . . . Double, K. L. (2023). Motor cortical excitability and pre-supplementary motor area neurochemistry in healthy adults with substantia nigra hyperechogenicity. Journal of Neuroscience Research, 101(2), 197-292.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1 Europe PMC2
2023 Tangalakis, K., Lexis, L., Hryciw, D. H., Towstoless, M., Bakker, A. J., Beckett, E., . . . Hayes, A. (2023). ESTABLISHING CONSENSUS FOR THE CORE CONCEPTS OF PHYSIOLOGY IN THE AUSTRALIAN HIGHER EDUCATION CONTEXT USING THE DELPHI METHOD.. Advances in physiology education, 47(3), 419-426.
DOI Scopus22 WoS14 Europe PMC13
2023 Beckett, E., Gaganis, V., Bakker, A. J., Towstoless, M., Hayes, A., Hryciw, D. H., . . . Task Force. (2023). Unpacking the Homeostasis Core Concept in Physiology: An Australian Perspective.. Advances in physiology education, 47(3), 427-435.
DOI Scopus9 WoS8 Europe PMC6
2023 Chau, M. T., Agzarian, M., Wilcox, R. A., Dwyer, A., Bezak, E., & Todd, G. (2023). Simple quantitative planimetric measurement of nigrosome-1 for clinical settings. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 454(120857), 1-8.
DOI Scopus4 WoS5 Europe PMC3
2023 Moro, C., Douglas, T., Phillips, R., Towstoless, M., Hayes, A., Hryciw, D. H., . . . Perry, B. (2023). Unpacking and validating the “integration” core concept of physiology by an Australian team. Advances in Physiology Education, 47(3), 436-442.
DOI Scopus7 Europe PMC7
2023 Perry, B., Cameron, M., Cooke, M. B., Towstoless, M., Hryciw, D. H., Hayes, A., . . . Todd, G. (2023). Unpacking the renal system component of the 'structure and function' core concept of physiology by an Australian team. Advances in Physiology Education, 47(3), 453-460.
DOI Scopus2 Europe PMC1
2023 Chopin, L. K., Choate, J., Rathner, J., Towstoless, M., Hayes, A., Hryciw, D. H., . . . Todd, G. (2023). Unpacking and validating the 'cell-cell communication' core concept of physiology by an Australian team. Advances in Physiology Education, 47(3), 443-452.
DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC3
2023 Brown, D., Uebergang, T., Masters, N., Towstoless, M., Hayes, A., Hryciw, D. H., . . . Douglas, T. (2023). Unpacking the “movement of substances” core concept of physiology by an Australian team. Advances in Physiology Education, 47(3), 514-520.
DOI Scopus4 Europe PMC3
2022 Kumar, S., & Todd, G. (2022). Effectiveness of online learning interventions on student engagement and academic performance amongst first-year students in allied health disciplines: a systematic review of the literature. Focus on Health Professional Education: A Multi-Professional Journal, 23(3), 36-55.
DOI
2022 Kumar, S., & Todd, G. (2022). Effectiveness of online learning interventions on student engagement and academic performance amongst first-year students in allied health disciplines: A systematic review of the literature. FOCUS ON HEALTH PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION-A MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 23(3), 36-55.
2021 Vogel, A. P., Pearson-Dennett, V., Magee, M., Wilcox, R. A., Esterman, A., Thewlis, D., . . . Todd, G. (2021). Adults with a history of recreational cannabis use have altered speech production. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 227(article no. 108963), 1-8.
DOI Scopus5 WoS3 Europe PMC6
2021 Aoun, K., Double, K. L., Pearson Dennett, V., Yilmaz, R., Berg, D., & Todd, G. (2021). Measurement of the adult human midbrain with transcranial ultrasound. PloS one, 16(3, article no. e0247920), 1-14.
DOI
2020 Chau, M. T., Todd, G., Wilcox, R., Agzarian, M., & Bezak, E. (2020). Diagnostic accuracy of the appearance of Nigrosome-1 on magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, 78, 12-20.
DOI Scopus47 WoS44 Europe PMC31
2019 Gabrielle, T. (2019). Brainstem morphology and movement disorders. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, 45(S1), S13-S14.
DOI
2019 Pearson-Dennett, V., Faulkner, P. L., Collie, B., Wilcox, R. A., Vogel, A. P., Thewlis, D., . . . Todd, G. (2019). Use of illicit amphetamines is associated with long-lasting changes in hand circuitry and control. Clinical Neurophysiology, 130(5), 655-665.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2019 Dilena, A., Todd, G., Berryman, C. F., Rio, E., & Stanton, T. (2019). What is the effect of bodily illusions on corticomotoneuronal excitability? A systematic review. PLoS ONE, 14(8), e0219754-1-e0219754.
DOI Scopus15 WoS16 Europe PMC11
2019 Todd, G., Burns, L., Pearson-Dennett, V., Esterman, A., Faulkner, P. L., Wilcox, R. A., . . . White, J. M. (2019). Prevalence of self-reported movement dysfunction among young adults with a history of ecstasy and methamphetamine use. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 205(107595), 107595-1-107595-9.
DOI Scopus5 WoS4 Europe PMC3
2018 Hotham, E., Haberfield, M., Hillier, S., White, J., & Todd, G. (2018). Upper limb function in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Journal of Neural Transmission, 125(4), 713-726.
DOI Scopus26 WoS25 Europe PMC16
2017 Hall, J. M., Georgiades, M. J., Hammond, D. A., Feng, X., Moustafa, A. A., Lewis, S. J. G., & Todd, G. (2017). Hyperechogenicity of the Substantia Nigra in Parkinson's Disease: insights from two brothers with markedly different disease durations. Case reports in neurological medicine, 2017(3673159), 1-5.
DOI WoS1 Europe PMC1
2017 Pearson-Dennett, V., Todd, G., Wilcox, R., Vogel, A., White, J., & Thewlis, D. (2017). History of cannabis use is associated with altered gait. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 178, 215-222.
DOI Scopus14 WoS12 Europe PMC9
2016 Todd, G., Pearson-Dennett, V., Wilcox, R., Chau, M., Thoirs, K., Thewlis, D., . . . White, J. (2016). Adults with a history of illicit amphetamine use exhibit abnormal substantia nigra morphology and parkinsonism. Parkinsonism and Related Disorders, 25, 27-32.
DOI Scopus36 WoS32 Europe PMC27
2016 Todd, G., Taylor, J. L., & Gandevia, S. C. (2016). Measurement of voluntary activation based on transcranial magnetic stimulation over the motor cortex. Journal of applied physiology, 121(3), 678-686.
DOI Scopus72 WoS69 Europe PMC59
2016 Todd, G., Pearson Dennett, V., Flavel, S., Haberfield, M., Edwards, H., & White, J. M. (2016). History of illicit stimulant use is not associated with long-lasting changes in learning of fine motor skills in humans. Neural Plasticity, 2016(9485079), 1-11.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2015 Todd, G., Haberfield, M., Faulkner, P. L., Hayes, M., Wilcox, R. A., Rae, C., . . . Double, K. L. (2015). Upper limb function is normal in patients with restless legs syndrome (Willis-Ekbom Disease). Clinical Neurophysiology, 126(4), 736-742.
DOI
2015 McDonnell, M., Hillier, S., Opie, G., Nowosilskyj, M., Haberfield, M., & Todd, G. (2015). Continuous passive movement does not influence motor maps in healthy adults. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 9(230), 230-1-230-6.
DOI Scopus2 WoS3 Europe PMC2
2014 Pearson-Dennett, V., Flavel, S., Wilcox, R., Thewlis, D., Vogel, A., White, J., & Todd, G. (2014). Hand function is altered in individuals with a history of illicit stimulant use. PLoS One, 9(12), e115771-1-e115771-16.
DOI Scopus8 WoS8 Europe PMC5
2014 Todd, G., Haberfield, M., Faulkner, P. L., Rae, C., Hayes, M., Wilcox, R., . . . Double, K. (2014). Hand function is impaired in healthy older adults at risk of Parkinson's disease. Journal of neural transmission, 121(11), 1377-1386.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6 Europe PMC5
2014 Todd, G., Gordon, C. J., Groeller, H., & Taylor, N. (2014). Does intramuscular thermal feedback modulate eccrine sweating in exercising humans?. Acta Physiologica, 212(1), 86-96.
DOI
2013 Flavel, S. C., White, J. M., & Todd, G. (2013). Abnormal maximal finger tapping in abstinent cannabis users. Human psychopharmacology: clinical and experimental, 28(6), 612-614.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7 Europe PMC5
2013 Todd, G., Noyes, C., Flavel, S., Della Vedova, C. B., Spyropoulos, P., Chatterton, B., . . . White, J. M. (2013). Illicit stimulant use is associated with abnormal substantia nigra morphology in humans. PLoS one, 8(2), article no. e56438.
DOI Scopus46 WoS41 Europe PMC37
2013 Rogasch, N. C., & Todd, G. (2013). rTMS over human motor cortex can modulate tremor during movement. European Journal of Neuroscience, 37(2), 323-329.
DOI Scopus4 WoS4 Europe PMC4
2012 Todd, G., Rogasch, N. C., & Türker, K. S. (2012). Transcranial magnetic stimulation and peristimulus frequencygram. Clinical Neurophysiology, 123(5), 1002-1009.
DOI Scopus11 WoS11 Europe PMC10
2012 Giesebrecht, S., van Duinen, H., Todd, G., Gandevia, S. C., & Taylor, J. L. (2012). Training in a ballistic task but not a visuomotor task increases responses to stimulation of human corticospinal axons. Journal of neurophysiology, 107(9), 2485-2492.
DOI Scopus22 WoS20 Europe PMC18
2012 Flavel, S. C., White, J. M., & Todd, G. (2012). Motor cortex and corticospinal excitability in humans with a history of illicit stimulant use. Journal of applied physiology, 113(9), 1486-1494.
DOI Scopus21 WoS19 Europe PMC16
2012 Todd, G. (2012). Anisotropy and spatial tactile acuity on human lips. Clinical Neurophysiology, 123(8), 1593-1598.
DOI
2012 Flavel, S. C., Koch, J. D., White, J. M., & Todd, G. (2012). Illicit stimulant use in humans is associated with a long-term increase in tremor. PLoS one, 7(12, article no. e52025), 1-9.
DOI Scopus25 WoS19 Europe PMC15
2011 Cirillo, J., Todd, G., & Semmler, J. (2011). Corticomotor excitability and plasticity following complex visuomotor training in young and old adults. European Journal of Neuroscience, 34(11), 1847-1856.
DOI Scopus103 WoS99 Europe PMC88
2010 Todd, G., & Ridding, M. (2010). The response to repetitive stimulation of human motor cortex is influenced by the history of synaptic activity. Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience, 28(4), 459-467.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12 Europe PMC9
2010 Todd, G., Kimber, T., Ridding, M., & Semmler, J. (2010). Reduced motor cortex plasticity following inhibitory rTMS in older adults. Clinical Neurophysiology, 121(3), 441-447.
DOI Scopus84 WoS84 Europe PMC76
2010 Todd, G., Taylor, J., Baumann, D., Butler, J., Duma, S., Hayes, M., . . . Double, K. (2010). Substantia nigra echomorphology and motor cortex excitability. Neuroimage, 50(4), 1351-1356.
DOI Scopus10 WoS11 Europe PMC8
2010 Todd, G., Gandevia, S., & Taylor, J. L. (2010). Change in manipulation with muscle fatigue. European journal of neuroscience, 32(10), 1694.
DOI Scopus18 WoS19 Europe PMC11
2010 Double, K., Todd, G., & Duma, S. (2010). Pathophysiology of transcranial sonography signal changes in the human substantia nigra. International review of neurobiology, 90(C), 107-120.
DOI
2009 Todd, G., Flavel, S., & Ridding, M. (2009). Priming theta-burst repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation with low- and high-frequency stimulation. Experimental Brain Research, 195(2), 307-315.
DOI Scopus74 WoS73 Europe PMC70
2009 Todd, G., Rogasch, N., Flavel, S., & Ridding, M. (2009). Voluntary movement and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation over human motor cortex. Journal of Applied Physiology, 106(5), 1593-1603.
DOI Scopus36 WoS36 Europe PMC31
2008 Loo, C., Sachdev, P., Mitchell, P., Gandevia, S., Malhi, G., Todd, G., & Taylor, J. (2008). A study using transcranial magnetic stimulation to investigate motor mechanisms in psychomotor retardation in depression. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 11(7), 935-946.
DOI Scopus20 WoS20 Europe PMC14
2008 Hunter, S., Todd, G., Butler, J., Gandevia, S., & Taylor, J. (2008). Recovery from supraspinal fatigue is slowed in old adults after fatiguing maximal isometric contractions. Journal of Applied Physiology, 105(4), 1199-1209.
DOI Scopus100 WoS97 Europe PMC87
2007 Hoang, P., Herbert, R., Todd, G., Gorman, R., & Gandevia, S. (2007). Passive mechanical properties of human gastrocnemius muscle-tendon units, muscle fascicles and tendons in vivo. Journal of Experimental Biology, 210(23), 4159-4168.
DOI
2007 Todd, G., Taylor, J., Butler, J., Martin, P., Gorman, R., & Gandevia, S. (2007). Use of motor cortex stimulation to measure simultaneously the changes in dynamic muscle properties and voluntary activation in human muscles. Journal of Applied Physiology, 102(5), 1756-1766.
DOI Scopus56 Europe PMC48
2006 Taylor, J., Todd, G., & Gandevia, S. (2006). Evidence for a supraspinal contribution to human muscle fatigue. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology, 33(4), 400-405.
DOI Scopus253 Europe PMC214
2006 Sogaard, K., Gandevia, S., Todd, G., Petersen, N., & Taylor, J. (2006). The effect of sustained low-intensity contractions on supraspinal fatigue in human elbow flexor muscles. Journal of Physiology-London, 573(2), 511-523.
DOI Scopus260 Europe PMC204
2006 Todd, G., Butler, J., Gandevia, S., & Taylor, J. (2006). Decreased input to the motor cortex increases motor cortical excitability. Clinical Neurophysiology, 117(11), 2496-2503.
DOI Scopus19 Europe PMC17
2006 Hunter, S., Butler, J., Todd, G., Gandevia, S., & Taylor, J. (2006). Supraspinal fatigue does not explain the sex difference in muscle fatigue of maximal contractions. Journal of Applied Physiology, 101(4), 1036-1044.
DOI Scopus187 Europe PMC155
2006 Todd, G., Flavel, S., & Ridding, M. (2006). Low-intensity repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation decreases motor cortical excitability in humans. Journal of Applied Physiology, 101(2), 500-505.
DOI Scopus51 WoS45 Europe PMC35
2005 Collins, D., Refshauge, K., Todd, G., & Gandevia, S. (2005). Cutaneous receptors contribute to kinesthesia at the index finger elbow and knee. Journal of Neurophysiology, 94(3), 1699-1706.
DOI
2005 Hoang, P., Gorman, R., Todd, G., Gandevia, S., & Herbert, R. (2005). A new method for measuring passive length-tension properties of human gastrocnemius muscle in vivo. Journal of Biomechanics, 38(6), 1333-1341.
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2005 Todd, G., Butler, J., Taylor, J., & Gandevia, S. (2005). Hyperthermia: a failure of the motor cortex and the muscle. Journal of Physiology-London, 563(2), 621-631.
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2004 Todd, G., Gorman, R., & Gandevia, S. (2004). Measurement and reproducibility of strength and voluntary activation of lower-limb muscles. Muscle & Nerve, 29(6), 834-842.
DOI
2004 Todd, G., Taylor, J., & Gandevia, S. (2004). Reproducible measurement of voluntary activation of human elbow flexors with motor cortical stimulation. Journal of Applied Physiology, 97(1), 236-242.
DOI
2003 Hortobagyi, T., Taylor, J., Petersen, N., Todd, G., & Gandevia, S. (2003). Changes in segmental and motor cortical output with contralateral muscle contractions and altered sensory inputs in humans. Journal of Neurophysiology, 90(4), 2451-2459.
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2003 Todd, G., Petersen, N., Taylor, J., & Gandevia, S. (2003). The effect of a contralateral contraction on maximal voluntary activation and central fatigue in elbow flexor muscles. Experimental Brain Research, 150(3), 308-313.
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2003 Todd, G., Taylor, J., & Gandevia, S. (2003). Measurement of voluntary activation of fresh and fatigued human muscles using transcranial magnetic stimulation. Journal of Physiology-London, 551(2), 661-671.
DOI

  • Are young adults aware of the long-lasting consequences of methamphetamine ('ICE') use on all health & would knowledge of a visible long-lasting consequence decrease use of the drug?, Fay Fuller Foundation, 06/03/2017 - 30/06/2019

Courses I teach

  • BIOL 1051 Physiology Essentials 100 (2025)
  • BIOL 2040 Human Neuroscience (2025)
  • BIOL 2035 Physiology (2024)
  • BIOL 2040 Human Neuroscience (2024)
  • BIOL 5013 Human Neuroscience GE (2024)

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2023 Principal Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Elio Stefan Arruzza
2023 Principal Supervisor - - Master Full Time Haley Minh Vu
2019 Principal Supervisor - Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Minh Chau

Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
2010 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Applied Physiology American Physiological Society United States

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