Transcript THE NEUROSCIENCES FOUNDATION

THE NEUROSCIENCES FOUNDATION
The role of The Neurosciences Foundation is to assist in the provision of funds for
research into new ideas and new techniques to help patients who have suffered
injury or damage to the brain and nervous system.
Scottish Charity No : SCO11199
Glasgow University and the Institute of Neurological
Sciences (INS).
University of Glasgow. Division of Clinical
Neurosciences.
Main Research Interests:
 Glial Cell Biology.
 Neuromuscular disorders
 Neuroimaging.
 Neurovirology .
 Neuroimmunology
 Stroke .
 Neurotransmitters
 Trypanosomiasis
The clinical disciplines with the INS.
 Neurology.
 Neuro-psychiatry
 Neurosurgery.
 Clinical Physics.
 Neuropathology.
 Neuro- immunology.
 Neuro-radiology.
 Physiotherapy
 Neuro-oncology.
 Neuro-psychology.
 Neurophysiology
 Ocupational Therapy
 Nursing (including disease specific
 Speech and Language Therapy
specialist nurses)
Sources of Neuroscience Research Funding
 Medical Research Council.
 Wellcome Foundation.
 Chief Scientists Office.
 Pharmaceutical Industry
 Disease Specific Organisations/Foundations  Multiple Sclerosis Society .
 Stroke Association.
 Cancer Research.
 Parkinson’s Disease Association.
Neuroscience Foundation The early history
• Institute of Neurological Sciences inaugurated at Killearn Hospital in 1966 by
Bruce Millan Secretary of State for Scotland.
• Institute of Neurological Sciences Research Trust ( Neurological Foundation)
appeal launched in late 1970s by Sir William Grey.
• First grants awarded in 1980.
Neuroscience Foundation : The Beginning . 1979
Research Funding Policy
Clinical relevance
 The work should be likely to bring benefit to patients in the short term. Priority is given
to research that could have clinical applicability within 5 years.
Importance and Priority
 The condition under investigation should be an important problem that affects a
substantial number of people, and thus carries a heavy economic cost to the nation.
Originality
 Applicants must be able to demonstrate the originality of their hypothesis. High quality
science will be expected.
Methodology
 A clear and convincing plan of investigation will be a prerequisite.
The Neurosciences Foundation.
 The Foundation aims to make a positive difference to the lives of affected individuals
through support of research.
 The Neurosciences Foundation raises funds for distribution to grant applicants.
following a rigorous process of expert internal and external review by its Medical
Advisory Committee.
Neurosciences Foundation: Process.
APPLICANTS.
APPLICANTS.
MEDICAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
TRUSTEES.
REFEREES:
EXTERNAL (2)
+ INTERNAL.
MEDICAL
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE.
Applicants provide an Annual and Final Report. The Neurosciences Foundation is
acknowledged in publications and presentations
Neurosciences Foundation: Areas of Funding since
1984.
 STROKE.
 HEAD INJURY.
 MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS.
 PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASE.
 EPILEPSY
 BRAIN TUMOUR.
 DEMENTIA.
 PARKINSONS DISEASE.
 INFECTION.
 MUSCLE DISEASE.
RESEARCH PROGRAMMES INCLUDE THOSE IN : BASIC SCIENCE / IMAGING /
DIAGNOSTICS /EPIDEMIOLGY / THERAPEUTICS / OUTCOME INDICATORS .
Neurosciences Foundation: Projects Funded - 198094.
- Funding : £ 427,737
Neurosciences Foundation: Projects Funded – 19952009 (45 Grants): - Funding : £486,897
Imaging based studies = 17.
Lab based studies = 14
Total Funding 1984 –2009 = £ 914,634
Examples of Neuroscience Foundation Funded
Research -
Neuroscience Foundation.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV1) in the fight against Brain Cancer
 Studies conducted at the Institute of Neurological
Sciences involve injecting herpes simplex virus HSV (right)
straight into tumour cells in patients seriously ill with brain
tumours.
 The work undertaken by the research team of
Prof. Moira Brown, has resulted in the removal of a vital
gene that confers on the virus the ability to cause
encephalitis. The modified virus is unable to kill normal
cells but can attack tumour cells.
 This work, funded by the Neurosciences Foundation is
ongoing
Neuroscience Foundation.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD)
 Post mortem studies show that diagnosis of this condition is difficult with a reported
26% rate of misdiagnosis.
Early differentiation of PD from Essential Tremor (ET) may also be problematic - between
10 and 25% of ET patents are initially diagnosed and treated as PD.
Accurate early diagnosis is important both for prognosis and treatment.
This research has helped to validate a new imaging technique to diagnose PD at the earliest
stages and can help to assess the effectiveness of drugs or surgical techniques to slow down the
progress of the disease.
D2 Transporter Study:
Normal to Grade 3
Parkinson’s Disease.
Neuroscience Foundation.
Surgical Treatment for Epilepsy
 Drug treatment is ineffective In 20% of patients with epilepsy originating from a specific
region of the brain.
 Surgical treatment in these people can lead to complete or almost complete control of
seizures control in 80% of cases.
 This demands accurate identification of the seizure focus.
 This research has enabled non-invasive brain imaging methods to be developed and has
identified those who benefit from surgery .
The part of the brain causing the epilepsy can be identified by its reduced blood flow between fits and very high blood flow during a fit.
The Neurosciences Foundation.
www.neurosciencesfoundation.org.uk
Trustees
Margaret Seymour ( Chair)
Prof Hume Adams
Prof Ian Bone
Kenneth Brown
Bernard Dunn
Graham Goodridge-Cox
Dr Donald Grosset
Prof Donald Hadley
Leonard Higson
Peter Kennedy
Alistair Paterson
Donald Storrie
David Walton
Stewart Wright
Prof David Wyper
Treasurer
Kenneth.E.L.Brown
Bankers
Clydesdale Bank Plc.
Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee
Prof Peter Kennedy
Secretary.
Lynn MacDonald
The Neurosciences Foundation
Lynn MacDonald Neurology,OMFS and Spinal Injuries. Southern General Hospital 1345 Govan Road Glasgow G51
4TF
Charity no SCO11199