Research Section
The Euan MacDonald Centre aims to investigate the causes of MND and potential treatments, including stem cell-based therapies.
Click on a key word to be linked to the associated researchers (Point your mouse to the centre of the cloud to slow down the speed of rotation)Interdisciplinary Approach
Because many different neurodegenerative diseases (such as Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis) may share common mechanisms with MND, and an integrated approach to research is often the most productive, our research programme is broad, multidisciplinary and collaborative. We share close links with other research Centres and Institutes within Edinburgh and beyond.
Our Research Aims are:
• Improving knowledge and understanding of motor neurone development, differentiation, function, plasticity and degeneration;
• Developing and implementing neuroprotective and regenerative treatments for MND, including the use of stem cells;
• Using or creating new computational and hardware technologies that will improve the day-to-day quality of life of MND patients.
Featured Researcher
Motor neurons receive a wide range of messages (called synaptic inputs) from other neurons in the spinal cord, brainstem and brain. These diverse inputs, which convey information about intended and on-going movements, must be integrated and converted into signals that can be sent to muscles to control movement. When motor neurons receive the wrong inputs, this might damage them and contribute to motor neuron loss in MND.
Our research group uses state-of-the-art genetic, electrophysiological and anatomical techniques to study synaptic inputs to motor neurons and how motor neurons integrate these inputs and convert them into signals to be sent to muscles. In collaboration with other members of the Euan MacDonald Centre, we use mouse and cell culture models of MND to investigate whether the synaptic inputs and function of motor neurons are altered by the disease. We hope that such studies will highlight new targets for much-needed treatments.