Motor neuron disease

Our MND clinicians work collaboratively under a robust multidisciplinary team (MDT) model, which is a well-established, evidence-based treatment approach.

The MDT approach means that patients are often seen by  several expert clinicians in the same room at the same time.

During consultation, patients receive a detailed assessment. Our team will discuss the options and agree on a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan in partnership with you.

The team also collaborates with other medical professionals from MQ Health as required, including psychologists, physicians, pain specialists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists.

A clinical nurse consultant provides patients with close support and education during their treatment journeys.

Our dedicated MND clinical team includes:

• Professor Dominic Rowe AM — neurologist
• Dr Corinna Pan — respiratory physician
• Rosie Fell — genetic counsellor
• Meaghan Joyce — dietitian
• Kate Bradbury — physiotherapist
• Kylie Christel — occupational therapist
• Elizabeth Hannan — social worker
• Jo Fowler — MNDA representative
• Sally Pittendrigh — speech therapist

We have recruited some of the best MND researchers in Australia and from around the world, and have formed national and international collaborations to create a centre of excellence.

With more than 70 full-time researchers, our MND research program seeks to understand the molecular origins of MND and developing new treatments for evaluation through clinical trials. We have established the largest MND biobank in Australia to facilitate this research.

We have received one of only six NHMRC Dementia Teams Grants ($6.5M from 2016—2020), and our researchers are chief investigators on eleven current NHMRC Projects and two current ARC Discovery Projects.

Importantly, we also lead two Australian-instigated clinical trials for MND, offering hope of better treatments for people living with MND.

Our researchers are currently undertaking two trials designed to significantly prolong the survival of MND sufferers.

1. The Lighthouse trial is repurposing an HIV therapy to see if it can slow or stop activation of endogenous retroviruses in sporadic MND, the most common form of MND.
2. The second trial — a world first — is testing a novel compound, developed in Australia, called Copper-ATSM. Our research will test whether it can redress the imbalance of metals that occurs in the brain of patients with familial MND or sporadic MND. Our hope is to commence a third trial in the near future using a therapy called 3K3A-APC to address the inflammatory response implicated in MND.

Neurodegenerative diseases clinical fellowship

MQ Health offers a full time 12-month clinical fellowship position in neurodegenerative diseases with opportunities for integrated research and teaching.

The Fellow receives comprehensive training in evidence-based, cutting-edge diagnosis, and multidisciplinary treatment of patients with a range of neurodegenerative disorders including MND, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.

Fellows are supported and mentored to support career progression. Appropriate candidates can potentially undertake higher degree research training pathways through Macquarie University. There may also be opportunities to join our specialist Neurology clinical team post-fellowship.

Higher degree research

Since 2014, we have formed the most comprehensive and all-encompassing research centre in Australia, where researchers and clinicians work side by side to decipher MND.

Opportunities for higher degree research include working with our experts to complete a:

• Master of research
• PhD program

Annual Neurodegeneration Meeting

The Macquarie Neurodegeneration Meeting is an annual event hosted by the Centre for MND Research, Macquarie University.

This event aims to empower Australian neuroscientists to showcase their research and to stimulate conversation and foster collaboration to develop treatments for a range of diseases, including MND, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders.