Global DNA bank in Manchester associated with motor neuron disease

A DNA bank, situated at The University of Manchester supports important discoveries regarding motor neuron disease (MND). It is considered that MND is caused by the combination of environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors. There were numerous patients with MND invited to participate in this study, by giving a blood test.
 “It`s a fantastic and high-quality international research resource and exists thanks to people with MND, their families and the team of neurologists and nurses around the country who helped collect the samples”, said Dr. Belinda Cupid, Head of Research at the MND Association.
 “I had a formal diagnosis of MND at the end of 2010 and am lucky in that I have fairly slow progression of the disease. I have not lost my voice although my arms and legs are weak”, said Colin Fenwick (49) from Macclesfield who had MND and gave blood sample together with her wide, Allison to the DNA Bank in 2011.
 Jennie Pierce from Congleton, Cheshire with MND also gave a blood sample, together with her husband, Pete to the DNA Bank. Professor Stuart Pickering-Brown from The University of Manchester`s Institute of Brain, Behavior and Mental Health stated that the new UK MND DNA Bank could be useful for scientists worldwide. “DNA banks allow scientists to explore the mechanisms at play within a patient`s DNA and how a particular gene can lead to some people getting MND disease and others getting dementia. What discovering the gene has not told us is how this comes about and this is what my research is now exploring”, he said.