Exercise and neurodegeneration related to motor neurone disease.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The Role of Exercise in Modifying Neurodegeneration Related to motor neurone disease (MND).
IRAS ID
323664
Contact name
Pamela Shaw
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
Motor neurone disease (MND) is a severe condition caused by damage to the nervous system. MND often progresses rapidly, resulting in weakness of the limbs and difficulty with speech, swallowing and breathing. Unfortunately, at present, there are few effective treatments for MND and patients usually die within 3 years of onset. The causes of MND are unknown, with the only established risk factors being that of male sex and increasing age.
It has been proposed that physical activity (PA) increases the risk of MND. However, studies so far have been inconclusive. It is for this reason that we aim to undertake a study investigating previous levels of PA in people with with MND, their family members and healthy volunteers. Over three years, we will recruit approximately 100 patients with MND, 200 family members and 100 healthy volunteers. We will conduct a virtual interview or face-to-face interview with each patient using a validated questionnaire which measures PA throughout a person's adult life. We will compare this with information previously collected from healthy volunteers and family members.
We propose that participation in a high level of PA is associated with an increased risk of developing MND. As a result, we hope to gain greater insight into the environmental factors that predispose to MND. Ultimately, by increasing our understanding of MND, this will potentially contribute to the development of new treatments for a currently fatal condition. This will also allow us to develop personalised medicine interventions and provide guidance to at-risk families.
REC name
South Central - Oxford A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/SC/0321
Date of REC Opinion
15 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion