Welcome!

 

Research Motor Neurone (RMN) is a charitable organisation based in Trinity College Dublin founded in 2007. The purpose of the Foundation is to support research in Motor Neurone Disease (MND), also known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) undertaken by Trinity’s MND research group. RMN also strives to increase awareness of this incurable disease at both a national and international level.

MND research in Ireland is led by Orla Hardiman, Professor of Neurology at Trinity College Dublin and a world authority on MND and related neurodegeneration. Professor Hardiman is also the Health Service Executive (HSE) National Clinical Lead for Neurology. Ongoing research is needed to discover the cause, treatment and methods of improving quality of life for MND sufferers and their families.

The generous support from our donors helps us make progress in finding ways to help those who suffer from this debilitating condition. It is through the fundraising endeavours of all our sponsors that essential funds are raised to support RMN and our ongoing vital research. Thank you all for your kindness and continued support.

Read our 2023 Newsletter for an overview of key events and research involving RMN over the last 12 months.

If you are interested in making a donation please click on the below link to donate directly and safely via credit card or to set up your own fundraising

Participants wanted for questionnaire study of exercise and genetics in MND

Investigating the role of exercise in modifying neurodegeneration related to MND

The team led by Professor Dame Pamela Shaw at the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) are investigating the effects of exercise in people with genes that carry a risk for MND. In particular, they are looking to interview people with a change in the C9orf72 gene to learn more about the relationship between the genetic and environmental (non-genetic) risk factors that lead to MND.

The aim of this study is to further the understanding of the exact causes of MND. In particular, it looks at how lifestyle factors interact with risk genes like C9orf72 to cause MND.

Over three years, the study team aim to recruit approximately 50-100 people with MND who have a C9orf72 mutation, and a further 100-200 family members who have tested positive for the C9orf72 gene but do not have symptoms of MND.

It is hoped that the study will enable researchers to learn more about the relationship between the genetic and environmental (non-genetic) risk factors that lead to MND. This will also allow them to develop personalised medicine interventions, potential preventative strategies and provide guidance to genetically at-risk families.

Exercise study in MND – flyer PDF (1)

 

 

 

Creating the Future: Prof Orla Hardiman on tackling motor neurone disease

In the first interview in a series profiling Ireland’s research leaders, Professor Orla Hardiman speaks to Ann O’Dea, CEO and co-founder of Silicon Republic about a life dedicated to improving the lives of those with motor neurone disease and as a clinician, researcher and research leader, and what led her to become Ireland’s leading authority in neurology.

Ann O’Dea and Prof Orla Hardiman. Image: © Connor McKenna/SiliconRepublic.com

 

Precision ALS

 
Precision ALS
 
‘The right drug, for the right patient, in the right dose, at the right time’ 
 
Please watch the latest video on Precision ALS, made in conjunction with Science Foundation Ireland ,that helps to convey the objective of enabling a smarter approach to understanding and ultimately treating Motor Neurone Disease.
 

Trinity’s Professor Orla Hardiman Wins 2023 HRB Impact Award

Professor Orla Hardiman of Trinity College Dublin has once again been recognised for her remarkable contributions to research into neurodegenerative conditions. Recently, she was awarded the prestigious Impact Award by the Health Research Board (HRB), which is given to individuals whose research improves health policy and leads to meaningful changes in healthcare. The Impact Award recognizes researchers who have made a significant impact on health policy and led to meaningful improvements in people’s health and care.

Dr. Mairéad O’Driscoll, CEO of HRB, praised Hardiman for her exceptional work in the field. She stated that throughout her career, Hardiman has put her patients and their families first, which has been the main driver for her research and contribution to advancing professional practice. Hardiman is a leading authority on the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and other forms of motor neuron disease (MND).

In her acceptance speech, Professor Hardiman expressed her gratitude and humbleness. She said, “My genuine hope is that I, and our research group, have made an impact that will outlast our own professional careers and that we will in the future be able to say that ALS/MND is a chronic, rather than a fatal, condition.”

Hardiman’s research has had a significant impact on the lives of many individuals and their families, and her contributions have helped to improve healthcare policies and practices.

An International Collaboration To Find Effective Treatments For Motor Neurone Disease

 

TRICALS is the largest research initiative to find a cure for ALS to date. 40 top research centres in 14 countries have joined hands with patient organisations and fundraisers to reach one goal: find effective treatments for ALS. Learn more by clicking the button below!

Trinity Precision ALS 2022

The launch of precision ALS programme is an important step forward in research to find effective therapies for motor neurone disease. The research explore the biological reason why different patients with ALS have different trait. Bringing together bioscience and data science to develop a personalised precision medicine can provide the right treatments for the people at the right time.

Trinity’s Prof Orla Hardiman named SFI Researcher of the Year

Prof Orla Hardiman was named as  Researcher of the Year 2022 for her “outstanding contribution” to  understanding of motor neurone disease and treatments. Accepting the award, Hardiman said understanding the processes that drive neurodegeneration is the “final frontier” in neuroscience.

The prestigious awards held by Science Foundation Ireland (SFI), honour the dedication and contributions researchers make to Irish society.

SFI director general Prof Philip Nolan said “these awards reflect the dedication and determination of our researchers as they work to discover new knowledge, to innovate, and to make the world a better place.

I would like to congratulate Prof Orla Hardiman as the 2022 SFI Researcher of the Year. She has made an outstanding contribution to our understanding of, and the treatment and care of people with motor neurone disease.”

Fundraising

If you want to know how to donate or be part of an event, click the button below. There you will also find our fundraising blog!

Beaumont MND Clinic

Our Specialists in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy and Nutrition, and we have access to Respiratory Medicine and …

Research

Information about the latest research, research resources and our research blog can be found if you click on the button below!

The Clinical Team

The Clinical Team consists of many people with different knowledge. A neurologist, social workers, therapists, and more who do their best for the patients.

Covid-19 and MND

To make sure that people with MND continue to receive excellent care, our clinical and research doctors at TCD, along with …

Telehealth in MND

TiM stands for Telehealth in Motor Neuron Disease. The TiM platform is a system hosted on the application, MyPathway, through which people living with MND…

 

Charity Number: CHY 17822
Registered Charity Number: 20067076

For further information on how to donate click here.

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