Reading Time: 3 minutes A study led by MND Association funded researcher Prof Siddharthan Chandran from the University of Edinburgh has developed a new method to create a diverse group of motor neurones from stem cells. The research, published in the journal Nature Communications could be used to create more accurate and clinically relevant laboratory dish models to learn more…
Reading Time: < 1 minute Sixty of the world’s leading stem cell research experts are meeting in New York, USA on 24 to 25 January to discuss and debate MND stem cell research. Stem cells are the newest and ‘hottest’ research tool around. Some types of stem cell are able to turn into any other cell in the body given…
Reading Time: 3 minutes Tissue donation has played a vital role in many important MND research findings. Without the generosity of individuals who decide to donate their brains and spinal cords to MND research, many of the recent advances wouldn’t have happened or at the very least, the relevance of the findings wouldn’t have been known! In recent years, tissue donations from…
Reading Time: 2 minutes 1.What percentage of our genes do we share with a chimp? 98 2.What percentage of our genes do we share with a mouse? 90 3.Our genetic code is wrapped up into 46 organisational structures called ‘chromosomes’. How many chromosomes does a butterfly have? 380 4.If you were to start reciting the order of your genetic…
Reading Time: < 1 minute As the symposium draws to a close, Prof Nigel Leigh gives the final scheduled talk. Prof Leigh is an eminent researcher and clinician and is arguably one of the forefathers of MND research and care – especially in the UK. Throughout his career he has made many important discoveries, founded the first UK MND care centre…
Reading Time: 2 minutes After three days of deep discussion and debate among researchers clinicians and health and social care professionals, the final talks of the symposium begin. The room fills with over 800 people for the last time. The closing session begins with ‘late breaking news’. This is an exciting opportunity for very new and exciting results to…
Reading Time: 2 minutes This year, two sessions are related to clinical trials. The first, concerns the planning and design of clinical trials. The second is the results of recent trials. But why should we talk about the planning of trials? Planning is a vital step if we are to find a new treatment for MND. By taking the…
Reading Time: 2 minutes Carers play a vital role in the lives of people living with MND, so important in fact that at this year’s symposium a session addressed the fact that the needs of carers are not being met. A memorable quote for Kevin and Jane, two of our regional care development advisers, which they found pertinent was: “the forgotten patient…
Reading Time: 2 minutes This year, nearly 300 posters are being presented at the symposium – that’s three times the number of presentations being given as talks! Due to the large numbers and feedback from last year’s symposium this year we decided to split the session in two with one session on Saturday and another on Sunday. This is…
Reading Time: 2 minutes A very natural response to receiving a diagnosis of MND is to ask ‘Why me?’. Many people with the disease question whether their MND could have been caused by something in their environment, their occupation or a lifestyle factor such as smoking, diet or exercise. The study of environmental and lifestyle factors that may predispose people…
