Clinical Research
As part of our broad spectrum of MND research, some Euan MacDonald Centre Investigators lead projects with direct clinical relevance. Several of these are highlighted below. The details of all our research activities can be found on the Research page.
Stem cells
Human stem cells offer great promise for increasing our understanding of the causes of MND, for drug discovery and ultimately, stem-cell-based therapies. At the present moment, however, it should be emphasised that the primary value of human stem cells is as a powerful and unique experimental tool to model "MND in a dish". Although direct clinical application of stem cells is premature, one research avenue we are exploring is the use of stem cell based technologies to modify the disease environment as a form of putative neuroprotective therapy. For more information about this ongoing laboratory research, please see the Stem Cells entries on the Research page.
Edinburgh is at the forefront of stem cell-based clinical research. MND patients will have full access to the new Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic, which will be completed in late Autumn 2012.
Cognition
Some people with MND may also experience changes in their thinking, language and behaviour. Although in the majority of MND patients only the motor system is affected, a small subgroup of people suffers from frontotemporal dementia associated with the disease, while a proportion of others may suffer from more subtle changes in their thinking. Dr Sharon Abrahams (Senior Lecturer and Clinical Neuropsychologist) and Dr Thomas Bak (Clinical Neurologist) lead a team of new researchers who are investigating these changes by interviewing people with MND and their families. They have a number of ongoing research projects and are currently recruiting volunteers with and without MND for these projects (please see the MND Cognition Flyer)
