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Dr Stu Maitland — Computational Neurophysiologist
NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer in Computational Neurophysiology at Newcastle University. Research in neuromuscular disorders, EMG signal processing, and AI in healthcare.
Posts
Neurophysiology as a Career: An Honest Account
Published:
This post is aimed at FY2 and IMT-level doctors curious about clinical neurophysiology as a specialty — whether as a career destination or as a research collaborator. It is not a recruitment brochure. It is an attempt to explain what the job actually is.
What Actually Happens When You Request a Nerve Conduction Study
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This post is written for doctors and other healthcare professionals. It is not intended for patients — if you have been referred for a nerve conduction study and have questions, please speak to your GP or the neurophysiology department directly.
A Manifesto for Neurophysiology — Part 1: The specialty nobody talks about (and why that’s a problem)
Published:
This is the first in a series of posts making the case for a different kind of neurophysiology. It starts with an honest look at where we are.
portfolio
publications
The use of human cadavers and virtual reality simulation in endovascular training: a questionnaire of patient and professional opinion
Published in International Journal of Surgery, 2013
A questionnaire study surveying patient and professional opinion on the use of human cadavers and virtual reality simulation in endovascular surgical training.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Nesbitt C, Searle R, Stansby G. (2013). "The use of human cadavers and virtual reality simulation in endovascular training: a questionnaire of patient and professional opinion." International Journal of Surgery, 11(8), 737.
O-30 Micro-EMG: Imaging human motor units using a novel intramuscular electrode array
Published in Clinical Neurophysiology, 2019
A novel multi-electrode intramuscular array sampling EMG from 64 electrodes along the needle to localise muscle fibres of multiple human motor units in vivo.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Escobedo-Cousin E, Schofield I, O'Neill A, Baker S, et al. (2019). "O-30 Micro-EMG: Imaging human motor units using a novel intramuscular electrode array." Clinical Neurophysiology, 130(7), e31.
View Paper
AI: simply reinforcing medicine’s worst biases?
Published in BMJ Innovations, 2020
This article discusses the potential risks and biases associated with the integration of artificial intelligence in medical practices, questioning whether AI is merely reinforcing existing biases within the field.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, McElnay P, Brady R. (2020). "AI: simply reinforcing medicine’s worst biases?" BMJ Innovations, 6.
View Paper
Assessing inter-rater reproducibility in MScanFit MUNE in a 6-subject, 12-rater Round Robin setup
Published in Neurophysiologie Clinique / Clinical Neurophysiology, 2021
This study explores the inter-rater reproducibility of MScanFit MUNE using a unique Round Robin setup involving 6 subjects and 12 raters, providing valuable insights into the consistency and reliability of this method in clinical neurophysiology.
Recommended citation: Sørensen DM, Bostock H, Ballegaard M, Fuglsang-Frederiksen A, Graffe CC, Grötting A, Jones K, Kallio M, Krarup C, Krøigård T, Lupescu T, Maitland S, Moldovan M, Nilsen KB, Pugdahl K, Santos MO, Themistocleous AC, Zlateva SS, Ööpik M, Tankisi H. (2021). "Assessing inter-rater reproducibility in MScanFit MUNE in a 6-subject, 12-rater Round Robin setup." Neurophysiologie Clinique / Clinical Neurophysiology. doi: 10.1016/j.neucli.2021.11.002.
View Paper
Ipsilateral Motor Evoked Potentials as a Measure of the Reticulospinal Tract in Age-Related Strength Changes
Published in Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 2021
This study investigates the role of ipsilateral motor evoked potentials as indicators of the reticulospinal tracts function in the context of strength changes due to aging, providing new insights into the neural mechanisms of age-related strength decline.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Baker SN. (2021). "Ipsilateral Motor Evoked Potentials as a Measure of the Reticulospinal Tract in Age-Related Strength Changes." Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, 13, 612352.
View Paper
Sarcopenia and frailty in individuals with dementia: A systematic review
Published in Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 2021
This systematic review examines the prevalence and impact of sarcopenia and frailty in individuals with dementia, contributing to a deeper understanding of their interrelation and potential management strategies.
Recommended citation: Waite SJ, Maitland S, Thomas A, Yarnall AJ. (2021). "Sarcopenia and frailty in individuals with dementia: A systematic review." Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 92:104268.
View Paper
Development of novel neurophysiological investigations for age-related muscle weakness
Published in Newcastle University (PhD thesis), 2022
Doctoral thesis developing new neurophysiological methods, including multi-electrode EMG and TMS, to measure the structure and function of motor units in age-related muscle weakness.
Recommended citation: Maitland S. (2022). "Development of novel neurophysiological investigations for age-related muscle weakness." PhD thesis, Newcastle University.
Electrical cross-sectional imaging of human motor units in vivo
Published in Clinical Neurophysiology, 2022
This study introduces a novel methodology for the electrical cross-sectional imaging of human motor units
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Escobedo-Cousin E, Schofield I, O’Neill A, Baker S, Whittaker R. (2022). "Electrical cross-sectional imaging of human motor units in vivo." Clinical Neurophysiology, 136:82–92.
View Paper
Machine learning as a new horizon for colorectal cancer risk prediction? A systematic review
Published in Health Sciences Review, 2022
This systematic review explores the potential of machine learning in improving the accuracy of colorectal cancer risk prediction, marking a new horizon in the field.
Recommended citation: Kennion O, Maitland S, Brady R. (2022). "Machine learning as a new horizon for colorectal cancer risk prediction? A systematic review." Health Sciences Review, 4:100041.
View Paper
Serotonin syndrome
Published in DTB, 2022
This article explores complexities of serotonin syndrome, offering insights into its diagnosis, management, and clinical implications.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Baker M. (2022). "Serotonin syndrome." DTB, 60:88–91.
View Paper
Ultrasound-Guided Motor Unit Scanning EMG (UltraMUSE)
Published in Muscle & Nerve, 2022
This paper introduces the Ultrasound-Guided Motor Unit Scanning EMG (UltraMUSE), a novel technique in the field of electromyography.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Hall J, McNeill A, Stenberg A, Schofield I, Whittaker R. (2022). "Ultrasound-Guided Motor Unit Scanning EMG (UltraMUSE)." Muscle & Nerve. In press.
View Paper
Estimating motor unit numbers from a CMAP scan: Repeatability study on three muscles at 15 centres
Published in Clinical Neurophysiology, 2023
This study presents a comprehensive analysis on the repeatability of estimating motor unit numbers from a CMAP scan across three different muscles at fifteen centers, contributing significantly to the field of neurophysiology.
Recommended citation: Sørensen DM, Bostock H, Abrahao A, Alaamel A, Alaydin HC, Ballegaard M, Boran E, Cengiz B, de Carvalho M, Dunker Ø, Fuglsang-Frederiksen A, Graffe CC, Jones KE, Kallio M, Kalra S, Krarup C, Krøigård T, Liguori R, Lupescu T, Maitland S, … Tankisi H. (2023). "Estimating motor unit numbers from a CMAP scan: Repeatability study on three muscles at 15 centres." Clinical Neurophysiology. doi: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.04.008.
View Paper
Monitoring real-time junior doctor sentiment from comments on a public social media platform: a retrospective observational study
Published in Postgraduate Medical Journal, 2023
This study monitors and analyzes real-time sentiments of junior doctors from comments on a public social media platform, providing insights into their experiences and challenges.
Recommended citation: Sirkis T, Maitland S. (2023). "Monitoring real-time junior doctor sentiment from comments on a public social media platform: a retrospective observational study." Postgraduate Medical Journal. 99:423–427.
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Can ChatGPT pass the MRCP (UK) written examinations? Analysis of performance and errors using a clinical decision-reasoning framework
Published in BMJ Open, 2024
This study evaluates the capability of ChatGPT in passing the MRCP (UK) written examinations, analyzing its performance and errors within the context of clinical decision reasoning.
Recommended citation: Maitland A, Fowkes R, Maitland S. (2024). "Can ChatGPT pass the MRCP (UK) written examinations? Analysis of performance and errors using a clinical decision-reasoning framework." BMJ Open, 14:e080558. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080558.
View Paper
The effect of Nav1.4 Ile582Val gain-of-function mutation on mouse skeletal muscle excitability is sex specific
Published in Neuromuscular Disorders, 2024
This work characterises how a Nav1.4 Ile582Val gain-of-function mutation alters skeletal muscle excitability in a mouse model, identifying sex-specific effects.
Recommended citation: Suetterlin K, Mannikko R, Matthews E, Maitland S, Greensmith L, et al. (2024). "243P The effect of Nav1.4 Ile582Val gain-of-function mutation on mouse skeletal muscle excitability is sex specific." Neuromuscular Disorders, 43, 104441.626.
Response to: ‘Cortical Inexcitability in ALS: Correlating a Clinical Phenotype.’
Published in J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry, 2024
This paper responds to observations on cortical inexcitability in ALS, discussing the correlation with clinical phenotypes.
Recommended citation: Baker MR, Maitland S. (2024). "Response to: ‘Cortical Inexcitability in ALS: Correlating a Clinical Phenotype.’" J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry.
View Paper
Are paediatric trainees using ChatGPT? A qualitative study of perceptions, opinions and fears
Published in Archives of Disease in Childhood, 2025
A qualitative study exploring how paediatric trainees perceive and use ChatGPT, including their opinions and concerns about large language models in clinical training.
Recommended citation: Maitland A, Eales N, Maitland S, Riley E. (2025). "7987 Are paediatric trainees using ChatGPT? A qualitative study of perceptions, opinions and fears." Archives of Disease in Childhood, 110(Suppl 1), A103–A104.
Natural Language Processing for Analysing Patient and Caregiver Experiences of Dementia with Lewy Bodies
Published in Alzheimer's & Dementia, 2025
This study applies natural language processing to real-world social media data to surface insights into the symptoms and caregiving challenges of dementia with Lewy bodies.
Recommended citation: Harrison JR, Baharain RS, Donaghy PC, Maitland S. (2025). "Natural Language Processing for Analysing Patient and Caregiver Experiences of Dementia with Lewy Bodies." Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21, e108463.
View Paper
MRI of Neurogenic Human Motor Units Following Poliomyelitis
Published in Muscle & Nerve, 2025
This study utilizes MRI to visualize neurogenic motor units in individuals affected by poliomyelitis, providing insights into the structural changes associated with the disease.
Recommended citation: S. Maitland, M. Birkbeck, I. Schofield, et al., “MRI of Neurogenic Human Motor Units Following Poliomyelitis,” Muscle & Nerve (2025): 1–9, https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.70107.
View Paper
Combining nerve stimulation and pulsed-wave doppler ultrasound to measure postsynaptic muscle facilitation
Published in Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026
A method combining nerve stimulation with pulsed-wave doppler ultrasound to measure postsynaptic muscle facilitation.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Browne G. (2026). "PO 289 Combining nerve stimulation and pulsed-wave doppler ultrasound to measure postsynaptic muscle facilitation." Clinical Neurophysiology, 185, 2111298.
From Generalised Genetic Epilepsy to Immune-Mediated Epilepsia Partialis Continua with two foci – A case report
Published in Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026
A case report describing a patient progressing from generalised genetic epilepsy to immune-mediated epilepsia partialis continua with two foci.
Recommended citation: da Silva AB, Maitland S, Suetterlin K, Anderson KN, Jaiser S, Baker M. (2026). "PO 171 From Generalised Genetic Epilepsy to Immune-Mediated Epilepsia Partialis Continua with two foci – A case report." Clinical Neurophysiology, 185, 2111183.
Imaging neurogenic motor units in polio survivors using Motor Unit MRI
Published in Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026
Conference presentation applying Motor Unit MRI to image neurogenic motor units in survivors of poliomyelitis.
Recommended citation: Maitland S, Birkbeck M, Schofield I, Blamire A, Whittaker R. (2026). "OP 19 Imaging neurogenic motor units in polio survivors using Motor Unit MRI." Clinical Neurophysiology, 185, 2111339.
talks
The power of information sharing online
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Is muscle weakness getting on your nerves?
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