Motor neurone disease news
Researchers are testing whether an mRNA vaccine targeting Epstein-Barr virus could offer a new treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS). The Phase 2 trial will examine how the investigational vaccine affects new MS disease activity, with scientists exploring this approach because EBV is present in almost all people with MS and is believed to play a [...]
A neurologist and geneticist at the University of Sheffield has been appointed to the first Rob Burrow Professorship in Translational Neurobiology named after the late rugby league player Rob Burrow CBE. Funded by the MND Association in honour of its late patron, the Professorship was awarded to Dr Johnathan Cooper-Knock who is based at the [...]
Scientists have discovered a new medicine that they say offers hope of substantially slowing the progress of motor neurone disease (MND). The drug, named M102, works by protecting nerve cells damaged by MND. Preclinical studies of the drug conducted with mice show improvement in movement and nerve function. Researchers are now hopeful the [...]
An international research team has identified a previously unknown genetic disease that affects movement and muscle control. The disease — called Mutation in NAMPT Axonopathy (MINA) syndrome — causes damage to motor neurons, the nerve cells that send signals from the brain and spinal cord to muscles. It’s the result of a rare genetic mutation [...]
Standard MRI scans of the tongue could help detect and monitor motor neurone disease (MND) at an earlier stage, new research has found. The study discovered that people living with MND who have difficulty speaking or swallowing tend to have smaller tongue muscles, which could provide an early indication of the neurodegenerative disease. MND, also [...]
Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has revealed he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). The 47-year-old World Cup winner shared the news with the BBC. Moody said he was finding it difficult to accept what the diagnosis meant for his future and his family, though his symptoms were relatively mild, including some [...]
A mother and son are bringing a series of comedy nights to East Sussex, raising funds and awareness of motor neurone disease (MND). Rona and Anthony Stephens-Hill launched the project in memory of dad Adrian, which has already secured venues across the county. Their goal is to raise £20,000 for the MND Association and the [...]
Three colleagues will walk 40 miles from Cumbernauld to Edinburgh to raise money for a workmate diagnosed with motor neurone disease. Riello UPS employees are making the trek to support 58-year-old project manager Peter Walthall from Cheadle, who was diagnosed in December 2024. Adam Greer, Steven O'Brien and Jack Will will follow Route 754 along [...]
Dr Oscar Wilkins has received the inaugural Rob Burrow Early Career Researcher Prize for his work on motor neurone disease treatments. The annual award, launched by the MND Association in honour of its late patron and rugby league legend Rob Burrow CBE, recognises outstanding UK-based researchers early in their academic careers. Dr Wilkins received the [...]
By Caroline Purslow, Head of Health, Challenge Works In July, following a lengthy regulatory review process and heavy patient campaigning across the UK - which gained extensive media coverage - the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved the use of Tofersen to treat those who are living with ALS (the most common form [...]
