MND / ALS

  • Groundbreaking MND blood test could speed diagnosis

    A highly accurate diagnostic blood test has been developed for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the most common form of motor neurone disease. ALS/MND leads to gradual paralysis, ultimately resulting in the inability to walk, speak, or, in later stages, move. Currently, diagnosis is based on a thorough clinical examination, but it can take up to [...]

  • Grant to fund development of novel treatments for Motor Neurone Disease

    NRG Therapeutics, a neuroscience company targeting mitochondrial dysfunction, has been awarded a non-dilutive grant from Target ALS Foundation to support the development of mPTP inhibitors as novel treatments for for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS [also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or Motor Neurone Disease]). The company is one of five recipients of the 2024 In [...]

  • Imaging technique uncovers protein abnormality in motor neurone disease

    Pathological abnormalities associated with motor neurone disease (MND) have been identified using a new technique developed at the University of Birmingham.  The method will help scientists better understand the changes in the brain that lead to MND and could eventually yield insights that will help with the development of new treatments. The abnormalities were identified [...]

  • Unlocking data’s power to speed up MND research

    A new initiative is aiming to accelerate motor neurone disease research by harnessing the power of health data. The MND Research Data Catalyst is a new initiative led by HDR UK and DPUK, with the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and in partnership with the MND research community, to accelerate the discovery of new [...]

  • Transforming access to Motor Neurone Disease clinical trials

    A first-of-its-kind Motor Neurone Disease Association Research Nurse Network is aiming to help those diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) to take part in clinical research and trials. MND is a fatal, rapidly progressing disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. The disease attacks the nerves that control movement so muscles no longer work, [...]

  • Rugby player Rob Burrow campaigned tirelessly for Motor Neurone Disease

    England rugby Super League player Rob Burrow was a tireless campaigner who helped raise awareness of Motor Neurone Disease. Burrow, former Leeds Rhino player, died on Sunday, 2 June aged 41 of Motor Neurone Disease (MND). After his diagnosis in 2019, Burrow dedicated much of his work to raising awareness of the disease, earning both [...]

  • Interview: Advances and challenges in Motor Neurone Disease research 

    With Motor Neurone Disease affecting more than 5,000 adults in the UK and survival rates on average of 18 months, there is an urgent need to find new treatment options. In this article, we sat down with Dr Brian Dickie, director of research development at the MND Association, which has just announced a £5 million funding injection to enable more patients take part in vital clinical trials. He shares his insights on the current state of research into MND and how the funding hopes to advance this. Unlock this article to read the full interview and learn more about: - Promising lines of investigation and potential treatment pathways for MND - How gene therapy is leading to some "never seen before" results - The role AI can play in helping to manage the condition

  • New £5m research network to open up MND trials access

    The MND Association is investing £5m into building a network of research nurses aimed at enabling everyone diagnosed with the disease to take part in vital research. The charity will build "a coordinated network of MND Association research nurses" across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the first nurses expected to be in post by [...]

  • Coya Therapeutics advances towards approval for ALS trials

    Coya Therapeutics has further advanced towards clinical trials on its potential therapy for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

    The company announced that it has held successful pre-IND (Investigational New Drug) and Type C meetings with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
  • Verge Genomics announces new study using AI in treatment of ALS

    Verge Genomics, a biotechnology company using artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new treatment options, has announced the launch of a new study for the treatment of sporadic and familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

    The study will assess the safety and tolerability of escalating doses of VRG50635, a small molecule inhibitor of PIKfyve, a therapeutic target for ALS discovered in diseased human tissues using CONVERGE®, the company’s all-in-human, AI-powered platform.