Investigating the changes in the connections between the brain and muscle that occur in MND using a new combined technique approach.
Principal Investigator: Dr Lara McManus
Lead Institution: Trinity College Dublin
MND Association Funding: £177,089
Funding dates: January 2023 - January 2026
About the project
This project proposes to combine an emerging technology, called High Density Surface electromyography, with electroencephalography (‘brain wave’) recordings to examine the flow of electrical activity between the brain and muscle. They will use this combination to observe changes in activity that occur in those with MND and assess whether these changes worsen as the disease progresses and motor neurons become more damaged. This will be the first study to use these combined techniques to quantify changes in the connections between the brain and muscle that occur in MND. These measurements are likely to be more sensitive than current methods and should therefore be able to pick up the earliest signs of motor neuron damage.
What could this mean for MND research?
These measurements may help to diagnose MND earlier and mean that those with the disease can get earlier access to treatment and care. It will also aid in clinical trials as earlier diagnoses may enable more people with MND to take part in trials and potential treatments could have more benefit if they are given earlier on. This combination of techniques could also serve as a biomarker (a unique biological signal of the disease), helping to determine if new therapies are effective at slowing the progression of the disease.
Project code: 888-791