30 million initiative for innovative approaches to neurodegeneration research
Thursday 2 October 2008
The UK's two largest medical research funders today announce the launch of a £30 million partnership to boost research into neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.
Encouraging collaboration between research groups and bringing together different disciplines, the initiative aims to enable scientists to better understand the causes of neurodegenerative diseases, leading to improved early diagnosis and more effective therapies.
Neurodegenerative diseases represent a significant burden on patients and carers, as well to the wider societal and the economy. As the elderly population increases worldwide, this burden is set to increase further.
Although treatment options are already available for some conditions, these are generally of very limited effectiveness and treat the symptoms rather than preventing onset. The development of new therapeutic approaches is therefore essential. Alongside this identifying markers to allow for the earliest possible diagnosis will maximise the effectiveness of preventative measures, and optimise the use of current treatments.
Now, the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the Wellcome Trust are joining together to fund innovative new research programmes. Up to £30 million will be available to fund a limited number of high-quality interdisciplinary consortia to study the mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases with a view to increasing effective diagnosis, management and treatment of these conditions.
Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Chief Executive of the MRC, said: "The partnership between the Wellcome Trust and the Medical Research Council will pave the way for new innovative research to help prevent the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and develop more effective methods of treating them. This joint initiative, which will provide opportunities for further collaboration across Europe, is a huge step towards achieving an earlier diagnosis of diseases such as Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s and improving the lives of the many people affected by them."
Dr Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust said: "Neurodegenerative diseases can be devastating for those affected and for their families and friends. As the number of people suffering from these diseases, and in particular age-related neurodegeneration, increases, there is an important need to develop new treatments and ways of identifying the diseases in their early stages. This will only come with a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the diseases."
The funding initiative is aimed at leading UK research groups, potentially collaborating with international research groups, who can bring together disciplines that will help address the gaps in scientists' knowledge of the biological basis of neurodegenerative disease. These include neurophysiology, neuropsychology, clinical medicine, epidemiology, biochemistry and cell biology.
Proposals are welcome from principal investigators based at academic institutions within the UK and Republic of Ireland who are recognised international leaders in their field. Preliminary applications should be submitted by 12 December 2008. Further information is available here.
Phone: 0207 670 5139
press.office@headoffice.mrc.ac.uk
