THE NEUROSCIENCES FOUNDATION

The role of The Neurosciences Foundation is to assist in the provision of funds for research into new ideas and new

techniques to help patients who have suffered injury or damage to the brain and nervous system.

Scottish Charity No : SCO11199

Glasgow University and the Institute of Neurological Sciences (INS).

Glial Cell Biology.

Neuroimaging.

Neuroimmunology

Neurotransmitters

Neuromuscular disorders

Neurovirology .

Stroke .

Trypanosomiasis

University of Glasgow. Division of Clinical Neurosciences.

Main Research Interests:

The clinical disciplines with the INS.

Neurology. Neurosurgery. Neuropathology. Neuro-radiology. Neuro-oncology. Neurophysiology Nursing (including disease

specific specialist nurses)

Neuro-psychiatry Clinical Physics. Neuro- immunology. Physiotherapy Neuro-psychology. Ocupational Therapy Speech and Language

Therapy

Sources of Neuroscience Research FundingMedical Research Council.Wellcome Foundation.Chief Scientists Office.Pharmaceutical IndustryDisease Specific Organisations/Foundations - Multiple Sclerosis Society . Stroke Association. Cancer Research. Parkinson’s Disease Association.

Neuroscience Foundation The early history

• Institute of Neurological Sciences inaugurated at Killearn Hospital in 1966 by Bruce Millan Secretary of State for Scotland.

• Institute of Neurological Sciences Research Trust ( Neurological Foundation) appeal launched in late 1970s by Sir William Grey.

• First grants awarded in 1980.

Neuroscience Foundation : The Beginning . 1979

Research Funding PolicyClinical relevance The work should be likely to bring benefit to patients in the short

term. Priority is given to research that could have clinical applicability within 5 years.

 

Importance and Priority The condition under investigation should be an important problem

that affects a substantial number of people, and thus carries a heavy economic cost to the nation.

 

Originality Applicants must be able to demonstrate the originality of their

hypothesis. High quality science will be expected.

 

Methodology A clear and convincing plan of investigation will be a prerequisite.

The Neurosciences Foundation.

The Foundation aims to make a positive difference to the lives of affected individuals through support of research.

The Neurosciences Foundation raises funds for distribution to grant applicants. following a rigorous process of expert internal and external review by its Medical Advisory Committee.

Neurosciences Foundation: Process.

Applicants provide an Annual and Final Report. The Neurosciences Foundation is acknowledged in publications and

presentations

Neurosciences Foundation: Areas of Funding since 1984.

STROKE. HEAD INJURY. MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS. PERIPHERAL NERVE DISEASE. EPILEPSY

BRAIN TUMOUR. DEMENTIA. PARKINSONS DISEASE. INFECTION. MUSCLE DISEASE.

RESEARCH PROGRAMMES INCLUDE THOSE IN : BASIC SCIENCE / IMAGING / DIAGNOSTICS /EPIDEMIOLGY / THERAPEUTICS /

OUTCOME INDICATORS .

Neurosciences Foundation: Projects Funded - 1980-94. - Funding : £ 427,737

Neurosciences Foundation: Projects Funded – 1995-2009 (45 Grants): - Funding : £486,897

Imaging based studies = 17.Lab based studies = 14

Total Funding 1984 –2009 = £ 914,634

Examples of Neuroscience Foundation Funded Research -

Neuroscience Foundation.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV1) in the fight against Brain Cancer

Studies conducted at the Institute of Neurological Sciences involve injecting herpes simplex virus HSV (right) straight into tumour cells in patients seriously ill with brain tumours.

The work undertaken by the research team of Prof.  Moira Brown, has resulted in the removal of a vital gene that confers on the virus the ability to cause encephalitis.  The modified virus is unable to kill normal cells but can attack tumour cells.

This work, funded by the Neurosciences Foundation is ongoing  

Neuroscience Foundation. Diagnosis and Treatment of Parkinson's Disease (PD)

Post mortem studies show that diagnosis of this condition is difficult with a reported 26% rate of misdiagnosis.Early differentiation of PD from Essential Tremor (ET) may also be problematic - between 10 and 25% of ET patents are initially diagnosed and treated as PD.Accurate early diagnosis is important both for prognosis and treatment.This research has helped to validate a new imaging technique to diagnose PD at the earliest stages and can help to assess the effectiveness of drugs or surgical techniques to slow down the progress of the disease.

D2 Transporter Study:

Normal to Grade 3 Parkinson’s

Disease.

Neuroscience Foundation.Surgical Treatment for Epilepsy

The part of the brain causing the epilepsy can be identified by its reduced blood flow between fits and very high blood flow during a fit.

Drug treatment is ineffective In 20% of patients with epilepsy originating from a specific region of the brain. Surgical treatment in these people can lead to complete or almost complete control of seizures control in 80% of cases. This demands accurate identification of the seizure focus.   This research has enabled non-invasive brain imaging methods to be developed and has identified those who benefit from surgery .

The Neurosciences Foundation. www.neurosciencesfoundation.org.uk

TrusteesMargaret Seymour ( Chair)Prof Hume AdamsProf Ian BoneKenneth BrownBernard DunnGraham Goodridge-CoxDr Donald GrossetProf Donald HadleyLeonard HigsonPeter KennedyAlistair PatersonDonald StorrieDavid WaltonStewart WrightProf David Wyper

TreasurerKenneth.E.L.Brown

BankersClydesdale Bank Plc.

Chairman of Medical Advisory Committee

Prof Peter Kennedy

Secretary.Lynn MacDonald

The Neurosciences Foundation Lynn MacDonald Neurology,OMFS and Spinal Injuries. Southern General Hospital

1345 Govan Road Glasgow G51 4TFCharity no SCO11199