News Archive
Girl, eight, who lives with daily fear of suddenly becoming paralysed
The Evening Standard 16 March 2007
The evening standard carried a profile of a young patient who suffers from a rare genetic disease called periodic paralysis. The article highlights the establishment of a new Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at UCL as an important research development which could help patientswith the condition. Professor Michael Hanna, UCL Institute of Neurology and Director of the centre, said: "The sole purpose of this centre is to try to identify the reasons why there has been a gap between dramatic scientific findings in the laboratory, but not much happening in a big way for patients."
Outpatient services - new specialist clinic for myotonic dystrophy
Dr Chris Turner, Locum Consultant Neurologist at the Centre for Neuromuscular Disease, has established a new myotonic dystrophy clinic at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. The clinic team includes Professor Mike Hanna (Consultant Neurologist), Dr Chris Turner (Locum Consultant Neurologist), Dr Matt Parton (Consultant Neurologist), Mrs Cath Parry (clinical nurse specialist in muscle with an interest in respiratory support) and a dedicated muscle physiotherapist, Liz Dewar.
Currently, there is close liaison with Dr Perry Elliot at the Heart Hospital, Moorfields eye unit, Dr Nick Hirsch (respiratory support) and the Diabetologists at UCLH. We hope to expand the service offered as it develops to include genetic counselling, psychiatric services, occupational therapy, fertility services, and social worker involvement. The dedicated clinic will also offer the opportunity to study patients clinically and to commence therapeutic trials.
The clinic (MGH02) will take place Basil Samuel outpatients at the National Hospital on the second Thursday afternoon each month.
If you require further information please contact us on: 020 7837 3611 Ext. 4251/3185, or e-mail catherine.parry@uclh.nhs.uk or chris.turner@uclh.nhs.uk.
New centre could ‘lead the world’ in neuromuscular translational research
6th March 2007
Researchers into neuromuscular disease and those affected by these conditions have welcomed a significant £3.4m MRC grant to create the MRC Centre for Translation Research in Neuromuscular Diseases, turning our growing understanding of the mechanisms of neuromuscular disorders into practical treatments and cures.
The centre is a result of a partnership between a group of academic and medical institutions committed to translating research into patient care. These are UCL's Institute of Neurology and Institute of Child Health, the University of Newcastle, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), Newcastle Hospitals NHS Trust, and Great Ormond St Hospital for Children (GOSH). It can draw on significant populations of affected patients at the partner hospitals and a wealth of basic science and translational expertise, which will ensure major benefits to the treatment of patients with neuromuscular disease throughout the UK.
The external international peer review undertaken by the MRC stated that this centre had the potential to lead the world in this area.
“Although there have been impressive advances in understanding the molecular basis of many neuromuscular diseases this has not yet been translated into clear patient benefit or new treatments. We have identified a number of key obstacles to delivering this translational benefit and the centre aims to specifically address each of them. By uniting an impressive team of experts in London and Newcastle , we are hoping to make progress in tackling these diseases,” say Professors Mike Hanna, Centre Director and Martin Koltzenburg, Deputy Director-London
More information >> MRC News| UCL Press release
15th November 2006
The Brain Hospital
BBC 1 22nd, 29th November and 6th December.
BBC One broadcast a series of three one hour documentaries following patients and staff at The National Hospital.
Extract from BBC publicity: "This new observational documentary series spends a year at one of the world’s leading brain hospitals.
For many patients The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery in London is their last hope. Their future lies in the hands of the staff who work at the cutting edge of medical science in their quest to heal the human brain."
The work of Professor Hanna and others in the Centre for Neuromuscular Disease was featured in the programme.
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