Reading Time: 6 minutesMND is a very complex disease, and in the UK there is still only one approved treatment so the need for more effective treatments remains
Author: Eleanor Green
I work in the Research Development team at the MND Association as a Senior Research Co-ordinator. I completed my undergraduate degree in Biomedical Science and I became very interested in neuroscience throughout my degree. Following on from this, I did a Master’s degree in Molecular Medicine, with a focus on gene therapies. As part of my role, I identify interesting updates in MND research and communicate these via the blog in an understandable and engaging way.
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe current pace of clinical trials means that there are now more trials testing potential drugs for MND in the UK than ever before. One
Reading Time: 5 minutesThe pace of MND research continues to increase, with more clinical trials underway in the UK, over the last year, than ever before. Adding to this momentum, the clinical platform trial MAGNET (Multi-arm, Adaptive, Group-sequential trial NETwork)has just opened to recruitment in the UK.
Over the last several decades, there have been over 140 clinical trials for MND and unfortunately most of these have not led to effective treatments. More recently, clinical trial design has become more innovative, including the use of platform trials. MAGNET is a platform trial which aims to accelerate the development of new potential treatments for MND by testing multiple drugs simultaneously.
Reading Time: 5 minutesRecent research, led by scientists at the University of Edinburgh and University of Dundee, has identified abnormalities in a type of brain cell called microglia
Reading Time: 4 minutesA new clinical trial, investigating Dazucorilant, for the treatment of MND is now open for recruitment in the UK. With this trial, there are now
Reading Time: 4 minutesIt is known that people with MND experience different symptoms, and these are not just movement related. People with MND can experience difficulty speaking, breathing
Reading Time: 4 minutesSome people with MND experience severe swallowing difficulties and it is estimated that over 50% of those with MND are affected by malnutrition and weight loss due to this. These factors are thought to be associated with increased disability and shortened survival, which is why nutrition remains one of the main challenges surrounding disease management. For those with MND who have severe swallowing difficulties, one of the long-term nutritional support options is a gastrostomy (a feeding tube that is inserted directly into the stomach to deliver food, fluids and some medications).
Reading Time: 5 minutesResearch into MND has increased over recent years and we now have a greater understanding of what is happening within the body during the disease.
Reading Time: 2 minutesResearchers from King’s College London have recently completed a study looking into different variations (a change or mistake) within the SOD1 gene and found that understanding the position and type of change within the gene can help to predict onset and progression of the disease.
Reading Time: 5 minutes8 years ago, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science was created to improve gender equality in science and recognise the invaluable role