AMBRoSIA: A Multicentre Biomarker Resource Strategy in ALS

Searching for unique fingerprints of MND for faster diagnosis

In order to diagnose MND faster, we need to better understand the causes of the disease. One way to do so is to identify the unique fingerprints – MND biomarkers – by obtaining biological samples from people with MND. Over the span of five years, this study will collect blood, urine and skin cells from 900 people with MND as well as from over 400 people without the disease. We are also seeking to identify biomarkers that predict how MND progresses, and why people with MND progress at different rates. This has important implications for clinical trials.

What does taking part involve?

The participants will be asked to visit the centre up to four times a year for a period of three years (frequency of visits might vary for different individuals).

It is entirely up to you to decide which sample(s) you are happy to provide from the following:

Small sample of blood
Small skin sample
Urine sample
Sample of cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid found in the spinal cord)

Donating a sample of blood and urine at every visit, cerebrospinal fluid at three time points during the three years, and a skin sample at the initial visit.

Study location

This study recruits participants at the Barts and London MND Care Centre, Sheffield, Oxford, UCL (National Hospital) and Basildon Hospital.

Who can take part?

• People living with MND
• First-degree relatives of people with MND (e.g. parents, siblings, children)
• Healthy volunteers

How do I take part?

For further information about the study and details of how to take part, please contact:

Sheffield - Lee Tuddenham (l.tuddenham@Sheffield.ac.uk) or Mbombe Kazoka (m.kazoka@Sheffield.ac.uk)
Oxford - Liz Gray (elizabeth.gray@ndcn.ox.ac.uk)
London - Dr Andrea Malaspina (a.malaspina@nhs.net).

Funding

This study is funded by the MND Association.

Expiry date: N/A