The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research

A touching tribute from The University of Edinburgh to the piorneering ambassador and philantropist Euan MacDonald MBE.

Tribute to pioneering MND advocate Euan MacDonald The University is deeply saddened by the loss of MND ambassador and philanthropist Euan MacDonald MBE.

On behalf of the Euan MacDonald Centre, it is with immense sorrow that we are sharing the sad news that Euan MacDonald died today.

Euan was an extraordinary man who brought hope and helped transform the lives of countless people living with MND & other disabilities.
https://www.euanmacdonaldcentre.org/about/news/message-from-siddharthan-chandran-director

Job alert📣

We're looking for 2 Assistant Research & Trials Managers for MND-SMART, our UK-wide multi-arm multi-stage clinical drugs trial, the UK's largest-ever for motor neuron disease.

➡️https://edin.ac/4dHQmLR

Edinburgh Neuroscience The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic

Your continued support of our MND reearch is truly appeciated.
Thank you 🙏

We've published new research on the genetic landscape of in Scotland. Genetic testing has implications for intervention choice & trial participation.
This research is made possible by everyone who contributes to our national register, CARE-MND.

The genetic landscape of MND in Scotland Jun 2024: Researchers have analysed the DNA of hundreds of people with MND in Scotland. They have mapped the nationwide genetic landscape and compared it with that of other countries. The findings have implications for future treatment, and planning of interventions and participation in clinical tri...

Everyone is welcome to join us in Edinburgh, Mon 27th May, for our next friendly and informal Research Open Evening.

Drop-in (no need to book), 18.00-19.30 & discover our research including the MND-SMART clinical trial.

More info at https://www.euanmacdonaldcentre.org/events/spring-2024-research-open-evening

Please share: this is an opportunity for UK based motor neuron disease clinical, nursing, & AHPs to join a UK MND competency session run by Judith Newton, Scotland's Lead MND Nurse Consultant & Clinic Manager at the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic.
The competency session will be held on Teams on Friday 8th March starting at 11am.
For more details on how to join please email: [email protected]

We were delighted to catch up with Dr Charis Wong, Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Researcher after she successfully completed her PhD. You can read the full news article on our website here:

PhD success for Euan MacDonald Centre early-career researcher Jan 2024: Many congratulations to Euan MacDonald Centre member Charis Wong who has successfully completed her PhD.

Did you know that motor neuron disease affects more than just movement? Our team has published research investigating how widespread "non-motor" symptoms are, and how important they are to people living with .
More at:

New research into non-motor symptoms in MND Jan 2023: A survey of people with MND across Scotland has revealed the extent and range of the non-movement-related symptoms that they experience.

Have a break this afternoon and catch-up on our winter edition of our e-newsletter. You can also sign up to receive this direct to your inbox.

Winter 2023 newsletter Dec 2023: Our winter newsletter is now available.

✨We'd like to take this opportunity to wish our wonderful supporters, fundraisers, research participants, donors & all our Euan MacDonald Centre members a peaceful Christmas and a Happy & Healthy New Year!
We'll be taking a break, but we'll be back in 2024 ✨

Visit our website: https://www.euanmacdonaldcentre.org/about

Digital evaluation of speech may be used as a biomarker to diagnose & monitor . Our researchers have published a systematic review of 40 studies from the scientific literature to summarise what's known & inform future research.
They found that certain speech features were present in people with MND but not healthy individuals.
Read more at

New research: Can speech be used to monitor MND? Dec 2023: Our researchers have reviewed the evidence for the use of speech assessment to evaluate disease progression in MND.

Euan MacDonald Centre researchers have recently published their work on validating the use of a screening tool for remote use.
Part of the assessment of a person with MND/A:S is an assessment of how they think and process information, and how they behave.
This study shows that using the ECAS:5 (Edinburgh Cognitive and behavioural ALS screen) assessment remotely is reliable.
Full news article on our website:

Study proves reliability of remote ECAS screening tool for MND/ALS Dec 2023: Euan MacDonald Centre researchers have validated the use of the ECAS cognitive screening tool for remote use, for example in people’s homes by video appointment.

There's still time to book a ticket for the Edinburgh Neuroscience Public Christmas Lecture. For full details and to book your ticket please visit:

Edinburgh Neuroscience- Public Christmas lecture 2023 Edinburgh Neuroscience invites you to join its annual Public Christmas Lecture to learn about the history and latest advances in MND

Our latest e-newsletter is now available. You can read it here on this link: https://www.euanmacdonaldcentre.org/about/news/winter-2023-newsletter

You can also sign-up and receive it direct to your email address by clicking here: https://www.euanmacdonaldcentre.org/about/e-newsletters

Winter 2023 newsletter Dec 2023: Our winter newsletter is now available.

The latest edition of MND-SMART's newsletter is now available. Get yourself a warm drink and take a few minutes to catch-up on their recent news.
This link opens in your browser:

MND-SMART public newsletter November 2023 In September we announced the results of MND-SMART's interim analysis. Independent committees decided that there was no benefit from continuing two trial drugs, memantine and trazodone. We have now been able to definitively rule out these drugs as having benefit in slowing MND progression. Another d...

If you are going to be in Edinburgh on the 14th December then why not book a ticket for the Edinburgh Neuroscience Christmas Lecture. The Lecture will be given by Euan MacDonald Centre members Professor Suvankar Pal and Judith Newton.
for more info and to book visit:

Edinburgh Neuroscience- Public Christmas lecture 2023 Edinburgh Neuroscience invites you to join its annual Public Christmas Lecture to learn about the history and latest advances in MND

Tickets are now available for the Edinburgh Neuroscience Public Christmas Lecture.
Join Euan MacDonald Centre members Professor Suvankar Pal and Judith Newton in this year's lecture "Changing the conversation and transforming the lives of people with motor neuron disease."
Book via:

Edinburgh Neuroscience- Public Christmas lecture 2023 Edinburgh Neuroscience invites you to join its annual Public Christmas Lecture to learn about the history and latest advances in MND

Now in its ninth year, the Euan's Guide Access Survey is the longest running & largest survey of its kind in the UK. It’s a way for you to have your say & know that your voice matters. Please share The Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic Fundraise Your Way Just a Sports Quiz

The Euan's Guide Access Survey UK's largest and longest running Access Survey

⬇️ Great to see this blog post from Euan MacDonald Centre member Dr Hannah Smith
who not only does great research but also always volunteers to take part in our academic and engagement events! ⭐

Investigating differences in protein production in MND - MND Research Blog Reading Time: 4 minutes My name is Dr Hannah Smith, and I’m a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Edinburgh. My project is supervised by Professor Tom Gillingwater, and my work is funded by MND Scotland. My current research focuses on comparing healthy motor neurons and those with MND/AL...

Did you attend our research open evening last week? We'd love to hear from you - please complete our online survey:

Anne Rowling Clinic and Euan MacDonald Centre Research Open Evening 28th Sept 2023 Online survey BOS

Leisa Thomas Just a Sports Quiz organiser caught up with Gregor on the Caley-Castle Crusade bus, taking a well deserved short break after 84 miles! What a smile! If you have a few spare pennies pop them in the pot here: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/caley-to-castle-crusade
Fundraise Your Way MND ScotlandMy Name'5 Doddie Foundation The University of Edinburgh Inverness Caley Thistle Stadium St. Johnstone Football Club