Welcome to our back to basics series, which aims to provide members of the MND community with a knowledge base of scientific topics that are relevant to MND research. The blogs are listed here in reading order. Scroll to the bottom of the page to find our latest posts!
Welcome to Back to Basics!
Reading Time: 2 minutesWelcome to our new blog series which takes MND research back to basics. The Back to Basics series aims to provide members of the MND community with a knowledge base of scientific topics that are relevant to MND research. Using videos and graphics, the blogs will break down complex science so that…
What is Motor Neurone Disease?
Reading Time: 5 minutesMotor neurone disease (MND) is a term used to cover a group of diseases where a particular nerve cell in the nervous system, called a motor neuron, becomes damaged. MND is classed as a neurodegenerative disease which means that damage gets worse over time and eventually the motor neurons aren’t able to…
What causes Motor Neurone Disease?
Reading Time: 7 minutesThe exact causes of motor neurone disease (MND) are currently not known. It is thought a number of genetic, environmental and lifestyle risk factors need to combine before most forms of MND develop. Together, these risk factors may ‘tip the balance’ towards someone developing the disease. Identifying the factors and how they…
What is DNA and how is it involved in MND?
Reading Time: 4 minutesOur DNA holds the instructions to many important processes within our body. Some people with MND may have changes in their DNA which contribute to the development of the disease, alongside other factors. It is important to understand the critical role that DNA plays within our cells to gain insights into what…
How are proteins made and what happens when they go wrong in MND?
Reading Time: 5 minutesIn a previous blog, we looked at DNA, genes and proteins. This blog dives deeper into this area of biology and focuses on how proteins are made from our genes. If you haven’t read the first blog, you can read it here. How is our DNA used to make proteins? Our DNA…
What is genetic MND?
Reading Time: 7 minutesIt is thought that a number of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors combine before most forms of MND develop. While researchers are still trying to identify what these environmental and lifestyle factors might be, they have made huge steps forward in our understanding of the gene changes behind MND. To read more…
What are biomarkers and why do we need them?
Reading Time: 6 minutesIn this blog, we will give a general introduction to biomarkers, including what they are and how they can be used. Then, in the next blog, we will explore biomarkers being studied for MND. What is a biomarker? Biomarkers are biological markers in the body, such as molecules or processes, that can…
What biomarkers do we have for MND?
Reading Time: 7 minutesIn our previous blog, we explained what biomarkers are and what they can be used for. In this blog, we dive further into the world of biomarkers, specifically looking at how they might be used in MND. Why are biomarkers needed for MND? There are currently no tests that can say for…
What are clinical trials?
Reading Time: 7 minutesThere is an urgent need for more effective treatments for MND. Researchers are focused on identifying more potential treatments for the disease and these are then tested in studies. The discovery and testing process is lengthy and it can take years for a new treatment to become routinely available to people in…
How can biomarkers be used in clinical trials in MND?
Reading Time: 8 minutesIn the previous blogs we explored what a biomarker is and looked at the stages of drug development and clinical trials. In this blog we will combine these topics and focus on how biomarkers are used in clinical trials. What are outcome measures in clinical trials and why do we need them?…