Uncovering the role of the complement system in driving damage to motor neurones by microglia in MND.
Principal Investigator: Dr Björn Vahsen
Lead Institution: University of Aberdeen
MND Association Funding: £345,000
Funding dates: February 2026 - January 2029
About the project
Dr Björn Vahsen is leading a Fellowship project exploring the role of microglia, which are the immune cells of our brains and spinal cords, in MND. Microglia normally help protect the brain and support nerve cell function, but in MND and FTD they start harming healthy nerve cells. This project will explore whether a specific immune process in microglia, called the complement system, is responsible for damaging motor neurons in C9orf72-MND, which is the most common genetic form of MND. Björn will explore whether blocking this process is able to protect motor neurones, which may uncover new ways to slow disease progression in MND.
What could this mean for MND research?
The aim of this project is to understand whether the complement system plays a role in microglia harming healthy motor neurones in C9orf-72 MND. It is hoped that this understanding could help to uncover novel ways to slow or stop disease progression and potentially uncover new treatment options for MND.
Project code: 2553-799