Investigating axon function in different types of neurons and muscle cells in MND/FTD.
Principal Investigator: Prof Juan Burrone
Lead Institution: King's College London
MND Association Funding: £720,000
Funding dates: January 2025 - December 2029
About the project
In MND and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), motor neurones become unable to communicate with each other or with muscle cells. Axons are long, wire-like extensions from neurones which carry messages to other cells. In MND and FTD, the axons are damaged and can die. Recent work suggests that before they die, axons stop working correctly. The researchers will investigate this by growing different types of neurons and muscle cells together and using ‘MND/FTD in a dish’ models to investigate axon function. Their aim is to learn more about axons in MND and FTD and discover why they stop working correctly, and the role this may play in the progression of the diseases. They will then work to develop ways of restoring axon function in the early stages of disease, which could prevent the loss of axons and enable neurons to communicate better.
What could this mean for MND research?
This project aims to increase our knowledge of how axons change in MND and FTD. It is hoped that understanding more about what happens to axons in the disease could lead to the discovery of ways to improve their function. This could lead to a new target for the development of new treatments for MND and FTD.
Project code: 2457-791