Brain Research Trust news

Going the extra mile for those we love

Mon, 03 Oct 2011 14:52:00 +0100

On 21st October 2011 a group of friends and family will walk the West Highland Way in memory of Glen Oldham. Glen died of a Brain Stem Haemorrhage, he was 44 years old and a fit and healthy active young man, there were no symptoms and his family had no idea that this was going to happen.

Audrey, Glen’s wife has organised the 97 mile walk to commemorate Glen’s life starting near Glasgow at Milngavie and finishing near Fort William, the team will walk for 7 days covering anything between 12 to 19 miles per day.

Glen planned to do this walk but unfortunately passed away before he was able to fulfil his dream. So in a tribute to Glen we will carry out his dream for him. Find out more about the Highland Way walk and donate visit remember-glen.co.uk

Professor Hardy receives IFRAD 2011 European Grand Prize for Alzheimer's Research

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 14:55:00 +0100

Congratulations to UCL Institute of Neurology’s Professor John Hardy, who has been awarded the IFRAD 2011 European Grand Prize for Alzheimer's Research.

Professor Hardy was awarded the prize in recognition of his pioneering work in identifying the biological cascade of Alzheimer's disease. The prize, worth €150,000, will be awarded to Professor Hardy on September 21st, World Alzheimer’s Day, during IFRAD's annual Gala.

World’s first blood test for vCJD

Thu, 03 Feb 2011 11:30:00 +0000

The world’s first accurate blood test for variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) has been developed by IoN scientists at the MRC Prion unit. The prototype, which is 100,000 times more sensitive than any previous attempt, could transform the diagnosis and screening of the brain disease.

New hope for cluster headache sufferers

Mon, 31 Jan 2011 09:50:00 +0000

Patients who suffer from severe cluster headaches are being offered new hope thanks to a revolutionary treatment at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN).

New brain imaging tests to track Huntington’s

Mon, 13 Dec 2010 14:05:00 +0000

A range of new clinical, functional, and neuroimaging tests developed by researchers in the Department of Neurodegenerative Disease make it possible to track the progression of Huntington’s disease long before noticeable symptoms appear.

Institute of Neurology takes top prize at symposium

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:59:00 +0100

Dr Damon Hoad, from the BRT-funded Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, took the top honour with his poster on 'Shaping the brain – Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation to study and modulate neuroplasticity', in a poster presentation competition at the Shape of Science Symposium in Manchester.

Huntington's disease more prevalent than officially estimated

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 14:28:00 +0100

An article in the Guardian in this week highlights the plight of Huntington's disease (HD) sufferers, who live in the shadows from fear and stigma of insurance companies.

Professor Sir Michael Rawlins, Chairman of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), argues in the Lancet journal that although 6.7 out of 100,000 people are estimated to suffer from HD, the number could well be higher.

The Huntington's Disease Association cares for 6,702 people in England and Wales. "Specialist neurologists have referred all of them, so their diagnoses can hardly be in doubt", he writes. "From these numbers alone, the minimum prevalence in England and Wales must therefore be at least 12·4 per 100,000."

HD is a neurodegenerative disease, caused by a faulty gene on chromosome 4 which is passed down through families.

If an individual has one parent with the HD gene, he or she has a 50/50 chance of inheriting the gene and developing HD themselves. The symptoms of the disease usually develop when people are between 30 and 50 years old and progress relentlessly over the next ten to twenty years.

Sarah Tabrizi, Professor of Clinical Neurology and head of the Institute of Neurology's active HD research team, says that currently only 20% of individuals at risk of inheriting the condition actually get tested for the faulty gene.

BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal to raise vital funds for MND research

Wed, 26 May 2010 10:32:00 +0100

Brain Research Trust is delighted to have been selected to make a BBC Radio 4 Charity Appeal on Sunday 6th June. We will use this wonderful opportunity to raise vital funds for research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND). All funds raised from the appeal will go to University College London’s Institute of Neurology Queen Square, for research designed to improve MND diagnosis and find an effective treatment for this devastating condition.

The appeal will be broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 6th June at 07.55 and 21.26 and will be repeated the following Thursday 10th June at 15.27 on FM 92.4-94.6. It will be presented by TV and Radio journalist, Sheena McDonald (pictured left), herself a survivor of massive brain injury. Sheena kindly presented our previous Radio 4 appeal for brain tumour research in 2006, which funded breakthroughs in understanding how and why brain tumours form.

You can now listen to the appeal via the BBC iPlayer.

BRT-funded Dr Patrick Lewis awarded grant from The Michael J. Fox Foundation

Mon, 26 Apr 2010 16:27:00 +0100

Thanks to generous support from the Violet Richards Charity, the BRT was able to fund a three-year Senior Research Fellowship for Dr Patrick Lewis (pictured right).

Dr Lewis, a researcher in the Institute of Neurology’s Department of Molecular Neuroscience, had been investigating the genetic traits of Parkinson’s disease.

He has now been awarded a $624,790 grant by The Michael J. Fox Foundation (MJFF) for Parkinson's Research, for his work contributing to a potential new treatment approach for Parkinson's disease.

Research sheds new light on brain tumours

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 14:15:00 +0000

The BRT recently funded an electron microscope used by Professor Sebastian Brandner for research into brain tumours. His recent research indicates that stem cells in the brain can turn to brain cancer.

Normally, adult brain stem cells form more mature cells such as nerve cells (neurones), astrocytes (supporting cells) or oligodendrocytes (myelin forming cells that wrap around processes of neurones). This research has shown that different mutations in the stem cells turn them into different types of brain cancer.

Professor Sebastian Brandner works in collaboration with Dr Thomas Jacques at UCL's Institute of Child Health and scientists at University of California San Francisco, USA. He commented:

“This finding is absolutely novel in the field of brain cancer research. It opens new doors to the understanding of the origin of brain tumours and what influences their behaviour. We now understand better how these tumours form and we can investigate further what leads from a rogue stem cell to a brain tumour. This model will give us new opportunities to develop strategies to fight brain cancer.”

Studies are underway to translate this finding into a treatment for human brain cancers.

Pupils in Oxford raise an astounding £2,067

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:14:00 +0000

The staff and pupils at Christ Church Cathedral School in Oxford choose one charity to support every year. In 2008/09 it was agreed that the school should put all of its energies into raising money for The Brain Research Trust in recognition of the invaluable work undertaken by the charity.

Money was raised in a variety of ways, including a sponsored walk by Year 8 boys, a Pre-Prep bring and buy sale and retiring collections following their Christmas Carol Service and Nativity Play.

Thanks to their efforts over the year, the school managed to raise a very impressive sum of £2,067.29 for vital research into neurological conditions. The staff, pupils and parents deserve a very big thank you for all of their hard work!

80th Birthday Party brings in big sum for research

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:45:00 +0000

Norah Handscomb put together quite a party to celebrate her birthday. A concert, competitions, raffle, dinner and barn dance were all arranged to mark her 80th, with all monies received going towards The Brain Research Trust.

The event raised a sizeable sum of £400 for the BRT, which Norah describes 'a most worthwhile cause and better than any present'.

We wish to thank the guests for their generosity and Norah in particular for giving up her birthday presents!

'Mozart at Hurlingham' event raises over £11,000

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:19:00 +0000

The Mozart concert held at The Hurlingham Club in London on the 3rd February has raised an astounding sum of over £11,000 for vital brain research.

The event was hosted by the charismatic Humphrey Burton, who entertained the audience with amusing letters penned by Mozart. He was accompanied by the young and gifted Epstein Trio and four magnificent vocalists.

We wish to thank Jean Bird, a loyal BRT-supporter, for putting together such a wonderful programme and for recruiting so many guests. We are also grateful to her helpers, Hana Tiller and Maria Sturdy-Morton, for their commitment and hard work. The dedication that they have shown the BRT and their subsequent success is an inspiration to all budding fundraisers.

List of projects funded in 2008-09 now available to view

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 16:18:00 +0000

Despite the tough economic climate of 2008-09, the Brain Research Trust was able to increase its support to UCL's Institute of Neurology during this period.

We spend nearly £1.8 million to fund research into Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, motor neurone disease, stroke, brain tumours, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy and migraine.

Four PhD studentships were also awarded for investigations into stroke, epilepsy and motor neurone disease.

Click here for a full list of research and equipment grants funded in 2008-09

Or, click here for a full list of PhD studentships funded in 2008-09

Largest ever UK grant for Parkinson's awarded to Institute of Neurology

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:39:00 +0000

One of three bold new research programmes focusing on devastating neurodegenerative diseases has been won by a team from the Institute.

£5.3m funding from the Wellcome Trust and Medical Research Council has been awarded to a research team that brings together leading experts in brain disease from UCL’s Institute of Neurology and the Royal Free Hospital, as well as involving groups from University of Dundee and University of Sheffield.

It is the largest grant ever awarded for research into Parkinson’s in the UK.

BRT grant recipient receives prestigious epilepsy award

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:13:00 +0100

Professor Ley Sander, who works at the Institute of Neurology’s Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, has been named recipient of the prestigious 2009 Epilepsy Research Recognition Award for Clinical Science awarded by the American Epilepsy Society (AES). The award recognizes Professor Sander for pioneering research of epilepsy, its treatment and consequences in developing countries around the world.

New hope for PSP sufferers

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 12:44:00 +0100

The Peacock Trust has generously pledged £150,000 over three years for research into the neurodegenerative condition, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), which may also shed light on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

The London Triathlon is a no-brainer for BRT!

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:20:00 +0100

A BIG thank-you to all of our participants in last weekend’s London Triathlon for Brain Research Trust, who braved the elements - and Victoria Dock! - to raise vital funds for neurological research.

Moving Brain Research Trust forward

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:38:00 +0100

Over the past few months we have been working in collaboration with TRUE, a brand design agency, to bring you a more comprehensive website and an exciting new BRT logo.

Brave Bryn battles for brain tumour research

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:07:00 +0100

Bryn Ruston understands the value of neurological research. A father of two, he suffers from a malignant brain tumour and has undergone two craniotomies in the past two years. He's using his experience to give other brain tumour sufferers hope by raising money for the BRT and earlier this year raised over £1,500 by organising a Taff Trail bike ride challenge.

Corporate raffle brings in hundreds for brain research

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:49:00 +0100

In December 2008, ICON, a clinical research organisation based in Southampton, held their annual Winter Event. After searching through hundreds of different charities, the Facilities and Administration team finally chose The Brain Research Trust to receive the proceeds of their raffle.

London Marathon 2009 is the best ever

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 10:51:00 +0100

Thanks to the tremendous fundraising efforts of our wonderful London Marathon runners this year, this event alone managed to bring in just over £48,000 for brain research.

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Tue, 23 Jun 2009 17:27:00 +0100

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Professor John Hardy most-cited Alzheimer's researcher in the UK

Fri, 08 May 2009 12:24:00 +0100

With a total of 351 articles on Alzheimer's disease published in the period between January 1985 to April 2008, Professor John Hardy is the most highly cited author on Alzheimer’s disease research in the UK and fifth internationally, according to a recent study.