The MSA Trust Seeks Innovative Neuroscience Research Projects for its Grant Funding Round 2017/2018

The Multiple System Atrophy Trust (MSA Trust) has announced a call for research papers for their new round of grant funding in 2017/18. The Trust invites scientists to present innovative and translational neuroscience research projects with the aim of further increasing the knowledge and understanding of Multiple System Atrophy (MSA).

The Trust welcomes research grant applications, up to the value of £150,000, on any aspect of basic, translational or clinical neuroscience aimed at better understanding the cause and/or improving treatment of MSA. Applications can be for single or multiple years’ projects. There is scope to work collaboratively, at home and abroad, where there is a demonstrable connection to a UK-based Principal Investigator/Institution.

The applications will be reviewed by the MSA Trust’s Scientific Advisory Panel, chaired by Professor David Burn from Newcastle University. Criteria for applications is given on the Trust’s website: www.msatrust.org.uk/cause-and-cure/. The closing date for applications is 30^th November 2017 at 5p.m and all applications should be sent along with any supporting materials to Karen Walker, CEO MSA Trust: karen.walker@msatrust.org.uk.

The MSA Trust has previously awarded grants for a longitudinal study involving an MSA Research Network in the UK with biobanking of blood, urine and CSF samples. The set-up of such a network is of high-priority in order to provide the necessary standardised patient assessment and sample collection necessary for future diagnostic and therapeutic studies. A grant was also awarded to a project looking at understanding the degradation of alpha-synuclein protein in MSA. This project is based on the observation that an excess of the protein is not produced in synucleinopathies such as MSA. To date, no one has investigated why alpha-synuclein is not cleaned out in MSA brains as it would in healthy brains. The Trust is committed to funding the best scientific research so that they can get a step closer to discovering the cause and cure of MSA.

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Notes to Editors: The MSA Trust is the UK and Ireland’s leading charity supporting people affected by MSA. The Trust provides its services free of charge to people affected by MSA – they include MSA Nurse Specialists, a Support Group network and an email and telephone support service.

Multiple System Atrophy is a rare neurological disease that leads to premature death. It causes brain cells to shrink resulting in severe problems with multiple bodily functions. People with MSA often end up in need of full time care, doubly incontinent and in some cases unable to communicate, swallow or move. Some people with MSA say it feels like the disease traps them in their own bodies. There is no known cause or cure for MSA.

Contact: Karen Walker, Chief Executive, MSA Trust:

karen.walker@msatrust.org.uk / 0333 323 4591 / 07710 312552 / www.msatrust.org.uk