Dr. Martin Turner, who was awarded the MRC/MND Association / Lady Edith Wolfson Fellowship, is looking for participants to take part in a Biomarker project.
What is the study?
This study aims to discover a test to speed up the diagnosis of MND, to understand how the disease spreads and to monitor its progression. Understandably, we are extremely excited about the prospect of this study as there is currently no diagnostic test for MND.
Who can take part in this study?
70 people with MND, along with 25 healthy controls are needed to participate in this study. People will be eligible to take part if they fulfil the following criteria:
- People with MND who have a diagnosis of a type of MND by a Consultant Neurologist or healthy controls who do not have any significant medical conditions.
- All participants will need to be able to lie flat for up to 60 minutes and should not have a pacemaker or other implantable devices or metalwork, extreme claustrophobia or day time NIV (these are all MRI contraindications).
What would I have to do?
Prospective participants who fulfil the above criteria will be invited to attend the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for one day, every six months.
Every visit, participants will be asked to complete a physical and cognitive assessment; to have an MRI scan; to provide one blood sample and if possible one cerebral spinal cord fluid sample. This study has been reviewed fully and approved by the local Research Ethics Committee. All of these procedures are generally regarded as very safe and trouble-free and will be performed by medically trained staff who carry out these procedures on a daily basis.
Do I have to be local to take part?
Participants need to be able to travel to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford twice a year and be able to spend a full day at the Hospital each time.
- Participants should, realistically, live no further than 150 miles away from Oxford.
- There is dedicated parking, wheelchair access throughout, including toilets and hoisting if needed.
- All travel expenses will be refunded plus a £50 'thank you' payment to participants on each visit.
How can I find out more information?
The official study website, can provide you with more details on what this study involves and what your next steps should be if you wish to participate in this exciting research project.
We regard this study as extremely important and it is a great opportunity for people with MND to be actively involved with research. With your support this study has the potential to play a pivotal role in the discovery of a biomarker for MND.
