Motor Neurone Disease research at the Euan MacDonald Centre

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a progressive disease that occurs when specialised nerve cells called motor neurons break down. Eventually, this leads to paralysis and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing. There are no therapies that can stop progression of MND – also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease – and little is known about why the disease strikes some but not others.

Our researchers in the Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research are working to understand what causes motor neurons to break down, in the hope that this may one day lead to new treatments that slow, stop or even reverse the effects of the disease. We’re also committed to training the next generation of scientists to secure a bright future for MND research.