Reading Time: 5 minutes While we work hard for a cure, it is essential we support those living with MND now. Professor Chris McDermott, Professor of Translational Neurology at the University of Sheffield, trial co-lead Maintaining quality of life and supporting psychological well-being are critical for individuals living with MND. However, there has been very little research on how…
Reading Time: 5 minutes Building relationships with key research institutes across the UK is vital in pushing research forward in the fight against MND. As of 31 December 2023, we are funding 109 research projects across 19 UK Universities and research institutes. The MND Association has a long-standing relationship with University College London (UCL) and its researchers. This relationship…
Reading Time: 5 minutes Despite extensive research, the causes of MND remain largely unknown. Recent investigations have begun to shed light on the gut microbiome and whether it may have a role in the development and progression of MND, offering potential new avenues for understanding and possibly treating the disease. The gut microbiome refers to the community of microorganisms,…
Reading Time: 10 minutes For the purposes of this blog, ALS should be taken to mean ALS/MND. In September 2020 we published a blog article discussing Dr Rick Bedlack’s unique perspective on ALS reversals. This followed a webinar in which Dr Bedlack presented potential evidence of 48 people around the world who had a confirmed diagnosis of ALS, some…
Reading Time: 5 minutes "New drug reduces risk of death by 50%"
You may have seen this type of headline in news articles reporting on the outcome of clinical trials. Reading this headline can lead people to believe a potential drug is highly beneficial and has a real impact. However, it is important to delve a little deeper into the meaning of ‘risk of death’, the raw data behind it, and how it should be considered alongside other outcome measures of a trial to fully determine how effective a drug might be.
Reading Time: 5 minutes Hi, my name is Avril Mc Tague. I am undertaking a Ph.D. at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland as part of the Multidisciplinary Innovation and Research Advancing Neurological care in a Digital Age (MIRANDA) doctoral award programme. This is funded by the Health Research Board in Ireland. I was one of five symposium communication ambassadors at last year’s international symposium.
Reading Time: 7 minutes Each year the 11th of February sees the world recognise and celebrate the contributions of women in science. The International day of Women and Girls in science was established by the United Nations to promote gender equality and encourage more women and girls across the world to aim to build a career in science. It…
Reading Time: 9 minutes Research into genetic causes of MND has greatly increased over the last few decades and gene changes have since been found to play a role in both inherited and non-inherited (sporadic) forms of the disease. Since the discovery of the first gene change in MND around 30 years ago, researchers have found over 40 gene…
Reading Time: 6 minutes Over the past couple of years, the pace of MND research has continued to increase. In the last year alone, we saw an increase in the number of MND clinical trials recruiting worldwide. During 2023 we heard some promising results from early trials and Tofersen (Qalsody), a treatment for SOD1 MND, was approved for use…
Reading Time: 4 minutes After 3 years of online events, the MND research and healthcare community reunited in-person at the 34th International Symposium on ALS/MND in Basel, Switzerland! From 6 – 8 December 2023, we welcomed back over 1300 delegates, including researchers, health and social care professionals and people living with and affected by MND, becoming one of our…
