Stepping stone to stopping the progression of MND identified

02 December 2006

In a stimulating and well attended scientific session on the final day of the 17th International Symposium on ALS/MND, scientists were not discussing motor neurones. Or at least they were only discussed in passing. The session was devoted to the topic of non-neuronal (nerve) cells and their role in motor neurone disease.

Several research groups independently found a common pathway describing why motor neurones die. The consensus was that the initial trigger for motor neurones to die comes from the motor neurone itself. However, the way that the disease then progresses is controlled by cells known as glia cells, that surround and support motor neurones.

The chair of this session Prof Stan Appel, from the Methodist Neurological Institute, Houston commented on these presentations. “It's exciting and gratifying to hear such papers on the role of non-neuronal cells in MND. In these studies it is the post (disease) onset period that is modified and that is when we see the patients.”

Later talks in this session discussed the biochemistry and genetics of these support cells. Knowledge gained from these experiments will help researchers identify targets for new treatments in the future.

“It's early days, but this research may be the first stepping to stone to stopping motor neurone disease in its tracks” commented Dr Brian Dickie, Director of Research Development at the Association, afterwards.

Sarah Fitzgerald Head of PR and Media
+44 (0)01604 611840
sarah.fitzgerald@mndassociation.org

The 17th International Symposium on ALS/MND is taking place in Yokohama, Japan, between Thursday, 30 November and Saturday, 2 December. The event is organised by the UK-based Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association and hosted this year by the Japanese ALS Association (JALSA).