We are delighted to announce the funding of four exciting new research projects - each one funded thanks to the generosity of our supporters.
We are currently focusing our research funding on three priority areas: brain tumours, brain and spinal cord injury, and headache and facial pain. Out of the broad range of neurological conditions, these are areas where we have identified particularly high levels of patient need, coupled with insufficient research investment.
The four new projects cover these three priority areas, with each one selected on the basis that it will make an important contribution to knowledge, offering the very best chance of progress.
Two of the funded projects focus on brain tumours, which are responsible for 5,500 deaths every year in the UK, including more deaths in people under 40 than any other cancer. More research is desperately needed to develop new, more effective treatments.
The first project, led by neurosurgeon Harry Bulstrode at the University of Cambridge, focuses on glioblastoma, an aggressive, invasive and incurable brain tumour. Whilst new immunotherapy treatments have revolutionised outcomes in many cancers, glioblastoma has proved resistant. Dr Bulstrode wants to change this. His research is focused on immune cells called TAMs that are found in large numbers in glioblastoma and are partly responsible for resistance to immunotherapy. He aims to genetically modify these cells to turn them against the tumour. Read more
The second project focuses on low-grade gliomas, slow-growing but incurable brain tumours that predominantly affect teenagers and young adults. There are different types of low-grade glioma, characterised by different genetic mutations, and these respond differently to treatment. Being able to accurately diagnose the tumour at an early stage could help doctors select the best treatment approach but waiting for biopsy or resection delays this decision-making. In this exciting project, Professor Petra Hamerlik at the University of Manchester is developing an innovative device that will use tear fluid to detect certain genetic mutations. By enabling an earlier, more precise diagnosis, this could drive the development of personalised therapy to optimise treatment and outcomes. Read more
There are more than 2.5 million people in the UK living with the effects of brain injury, including stroke. More research is needed to help understand how to repair these injuries - to enable those affected to optimise their recovery and enjoy the best quality of life.
Professor Stuart Allan at the University of Manchester has received funding for research focused on reducing inflammation in the brain after stroke. This inflammation has been shown to play a role in the death of brain cells and whilst drugs are available that can reduce this inflammation, more information is needed about precisely how to use these drugs in stroke. Using their established mouse-models of stroke, the Manchester team will test the effects of different treatments and how they can best be used to treat the effects of stroke and minimise brain damage. Read more
Affecting more than 11 million people in the UK and 1 billion globally, migraine is recognised as one of the most high-burden, under-researched medical conditions. Existing treatments do not provide relief for everyone and do not target the range of symptoms associated with migraine - including one of the most debilitating symptoms – extreme fatigue. With our funding, Dr Phil Holland at King’s College London is setting out to identify the key pathways in the brain that are responsible for fatigue and pain in migraine and to develop new therapies that can normalise the early brain changes that give rise to migraine attacks and stop the migraine in its tracks. Read more
Funding this research is a team effort.
Our fantastic, generous supporters go to great lengths to raise funds to support this research, often for very personal reasons. Our incredible 2024 London Marathon team raised in excess of £1 million, directly enabling us to fund these vital research projects. Every donation, no matter how big or small, contributes to our mission of helping those with neurological conditions live better, longer.
The members of our Scientific Advisory Panel freely give their time and expertise – reviewing dozens of proposals to help determine which are the most promising and most likely to deliver impact. Our Panel members are assisted by hundreds of expert reviewers from around the world, who also freely give their valuable time to provide independent expert review.
Together we will drive progress for the benefit of those affected by neurological conditions.
Every year we receive far more high-quality research applications than we can fund. The four projects above were selected from 63 research proposals submitted by teams around the UK. With more funding, we could support more of this research.
