University of Queensland (UQ) researchers will explore new ways to map the progression of motor neurone disease (MND) to support faster and more accurate diagnosis.
Backed by funding from the FightMND Foundation, Dr Thomas Shaw from UQ’s School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science will research MND biomarkers and develop software to help clinicians diagnose the disease.
“There is currently no definitive way to track and predict the progression of MND,” Dr Shaw said.
“We are using MRI scans of the brain to first map the body on the surface of the brain. Then we will identify metabolites, or brain chemicals that change throughout the course of the disease, to create an MND map”.
“This ‘MetaBody map’ software will be available for clinicians to use, leading to faster diagnosis and enabling treatments to start sooner for patients.”
MND is a devastating illness that gradually erodes a person’s ability to control muscles, movement, and their ability to breathe on their own.
More than 2000 Australians are currently living with MND, and a further two are diagnosed each day.
Dr Shaw said the team’s expertise in developing neuroimaging software would not only support clinical diagnosis, but also provide practical benefits for patients.
Advanced Imaging at
The University of Queensland
“The research is a collaboration between psychologists, engineers, and neuroscientists,” Dr Shaw said.
“The time a patient needs to spend in the brain scanner will be reduced to just 20 minutes, making the procedure more suitable for people living with MND.”
Dr Harriet Dempsey-Jones, an expert in mapping the body and sensory perception will join the research team, thanks to the funding from FightMND.
A total eight of UQ investigators received FightMND backing for research and care initiatives for people living with MND.
The organisation has now contributed more than $115 million to MND research and care since 2014.
Dr Thomas Shaw is an Affiliated Research Fellow of the Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, Centre for Advanced Imaging, and an Honorary Research Fellow at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
