UQ Centre for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research

Motor neurone disease (MND) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) are part of a group of complex and highly variable neurodegenerative diseases.

The UQ Centre for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research is a network of UQ and UQ-affiliated motor neuron disease and frontotemporal dementia researchers.

Our experienced team conducts high-level research which spans the entire translational research pipeline to fast-track discoveries, treatments and care improvements for people living with MND and FTD.

We bring together key scientists and academic neurologists, their respective research teams, established links to clinicians, established relationships with philanthropy, and stakeholders with lived experience including people currently living with MND and/or FTD and their carers. The Centre will enhance national and international collaborative research efforts and facilitate community consultation to pioneer scientific and clinical discoveries in the field of MND and FTD.

Characterised by the death of motor neurons, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) accounts for the majority of all MND cases. Typical symptoms of ALS include progressive muscle weakness and wasting, which can also be accompanied with changes in thinking and speech. Survival for the majority of patients is very short and there is little opportunity to slow down disease progression.

Our researchers are determined to change this and have a broad program of research to support translational changes and meaningful outcomes for patients and their families.

Theme 1: Clinical trials

Research investigations where people volunteer to test new treatments, interventions, or tests to prevent, detect, treat, or manage diseases or medical conditions.

Theme Leader: Associate Professor Robert Henderson, Neurologist, UQCCR

Theme 2: Natural history studies

Research that follows people over time who have, or are at risk of developing, a medical condition or disease. These studies collect information to generate a better understanding of how a disease or medical condition develops and how to treat it.

Theme Leader: Associate Professor Frederik Steyn, SBMS

Theme 3: Clinical care research

Clinical care research aims to improve multidisciplinary care for people with MND by evaluating interventions that manage symptoms, maintain function, and enhance quality of life. In collaboration with the MND community, this research explores multidisciplinary care models, tracks disease progression patterns, examines the impact of speech and swallowing loss, and investigates strategies to improve care coordination to ensure our research leads to meaningful, patient-centred advancements in clinical practice.

Theme Leaders: Dr Brooke-Mai Whelan and Dr Rebecca Packer, SHRS

Theme 4: Biomarkers

Research that aims to improve our capacity to identify or diagnose MND, or to monitor the progression of disease or the change in disease-related processes. As part of this, research that aims to introduce new measures that could contribute as clinical outcome measures.

Theme Leader: Professor Pamela McCombe, Neurologist, UQCCR

Theme 5: Genomics and genetics

The study of genetic and genome-related factors that contribute to risk of disease together with non-genetic factors, such as lifestyle and environment.

Theme Leader: Associate Professor Allan McRae, IMB

Theme 6: Disease mechanisms

Research that uses laboratory-based models to understand the causes of disease or medical conditions.

Theme Leader: Associate Professor Shyuan Ngo, AIBN

Theme 7: Drug discovery, development and translation

The process of discovering, testing and bringing new drugs or compounds to the market for the treatment of a disease or medical condition.

Theme Leader: Professor Trent Woodruff, SBMS

UQ researchers complete early phase study targeting metabolism in people living with MND

Why target Metabolism In MND?

People with MND often experience changes in how their bodies use energy, leading to a higher "metabolism". this is often referred to as Hypermetabolism. In many cases, this increased energy use has been linked to faster disease progression. Trimetazidine is a drug already used to help correct metabolism issues in people with angina. Researchers at the University of Queensland believe that this drug could help slow MND progression by reducing excessive energy use and lowering cell damage caused by oxidative stress.

Trial results

The MetFlex trial (a Phase 2 study) tested Trimetazidine in people with MND over 12 weeks. The trial was "open label," meaning everyone knew they were receiving the drug. Researchers found that Trimetazidine was safe and well tolerated. They also saw a significant decrease in oxidative stress (which can damage cells) and resting energy use, showing that the drug worked as expected. The next step is a larger trial with a placebo group to confirm whether Trimetazidine can truly slow the disease's progression.

Read the manuscript in Brain Communications

The Centre for Motor Neuron Disease (MND) Research is actively collecting samples for ongoing research projects.

This includes clinical details and biological samples from people living with MND/FTD as well as people who do not have MND/FTD (healthy controls).

Researchers have harmonised their collection procedures for patients, families and controls who wish to be involved in research discovery.

We would love for you to be involved.

Anyone wishing to participate can contact us for more details. We can match you with a relevant research project based on your availability and what you would like your participation to achieve. Any form of participation is greatly appreciated because it will help towards a cure for MND/FTD.

Steering/Advisory Group members

Professor Elizabeth Coulson - Neuroscience
Professor Markus Barth - Digital health technologies and neuroimaging
Professor Mark Midwinter - Clinical translation
Anjali Henders - Biomarket development, MND infrastructure, database, and project management
Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi - ALS Neurologist, King’s College London
Dr Nadia Sethi - Person with lived experience

All members

Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi - ALS Neurologist, King’s College London
Professor Markus Barth - Biomedical imaging, School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Associate Professor Mark Bellingham - School of Biomedical Sciences
Dr Fernanda Cardoso - Molecular Neuropharmacology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Professor Elizabeth Coulson - School of Biomedical Sciences/Queensland Brain Institute
Dr Taylor Dick - Neuromuscular Biomechanics, School of Biomedical Sciences
Dr Fleur Garton - Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Dr Jean Giacomotto - Queensland Brian Institute
Anjali Henders - Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Associate Professor Robert Henderson - RBWH/UQ Centre for Clinical Research
Dr John Lee - School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor Pamela McCombe - UQ Centre for Clinical Research
Dr Allan McRae - Systems Genomics, Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Professor Mark Midwinter - School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Sean Millard - Mechanisms of Neurodevelopment, School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor Peter Nestor - Queensland Brian Institute
Associate Professor Dominic Ng - Kinase Biology and Cell Regulation, School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Shu Ngo - Neurometabolism, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology/RBWH
Dr Quan Nguyen - Genomics and Machine Learning, Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Associate Professor Peter Noakes - School of Biomedical Sciences
Dr Rebecca Packer - School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Dr Margreet Ridder - Synaptic plasticity, Queensland Brian Institute
Professor Gail Robinson - Queensland Brian Institute
Dr Daniel Schweitzer - Mater Clinical Unit
Dr Nadia Sethi - Person with lived experience
Associate Professor Frederik Steyn - Heterogeneity of Neurodegenerative Disease, School of Biomedical Sciences
Associate Professor Adam Walker - Neurodegeneration Pathobiology, Queensland Brian Institute
Dr Brooke-Mai Whelan - School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
Associate Professor Anthony White - QIMR Berghofer
Associate Professor Joy Wolfram - Extracellular Vesicles, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology/School of Chemical Engineering
Professor Trent Woodruff - Neuroinflammation, School of Biomedical Sciences/Queensland Brain Institute
Professor Naomi Wray - Institute for Molecular Bioscience
Dr Alain Wuethrich - Biomedical Technologies & Nanotechnologies, Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology