Identifying biomarkers (indicator of disease) to monitor disease prognosis and progress.
Principal Investigator: Prof Majid Hafezparast
Lead Institution: University of Sussex
MND Association Funding: £253,638
Funding dates: May 2022 - October 2025
About the project
Biomarkers (an indicator of disease) are important in helping to diagnose and track progression of MND. 7 non-coding RNA molecules (ncRNA), which can be found in the blood, have already been used to predict if a sample is from a person with MND. Currently, these ncRNAs cannot track the speed of progression. This project looks to identify ncRNA biomarkers that change over time so they can be used to both predict and track disease progression. This could allow the behaviour of MND to be predicted more accurately and aid in treatment development.
What could this mean for MND research?
This study is looking at developing biomarkers for MND, which are a biological fingerprint of the disease. Biomarkers are important since they can confirm the presence of disease and can be used to monitor disease progression. This can be helpful for a more personalised approach to the disease by allowing more accurate monitoring of progression. This can also be helpful in clinical trials by showing if there is a biological response to drug treatment.
Resources
Project code: 880-791