Expert clinical care for motor neuron disease
MQ Health's motor neuron disease (MND) service is a comprehensive evidence-based treatment program bringing together sought-after experts in MND clinical care, research and training.
The MQ Health motor neuron disease service manages approximately 10% of the MND patients in Australia.
Led by Professor Dominic Rowe AM, our multidisciplinary team of specialists provide expert diagnosis and management of all stages of MND.
Our vision is a world without MND. Our mission is to provide world-class care for people living with MND and to develop new effective treatments for this devastating disease.
Our MND clinicians work collaboratively under a robust multidisciplinary team (MDT) model, which is a well-established, evidence-based treatment approach.
The MDT approach means that patients are often seen by several expert clinicians in the same room at the same time.
During consultation, patients receive a detailed assessment. Our team will discuss the options and agree on a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan in partnership with you.
The team also collaborates with other medical professionals from MQ Health as required, including psychologists, physicians, pain specialists, physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists.
A clinical nurse consultant provides patients with close support and education during their treatment journeys.
Our dedicated MND clinical team includes:
- Professor Dominic Rowe AM – neurologist
- Dr Alex Dollman – respiratory physician
- Rosie Fell – genetic counsellor
- Meaghan Joyce – dietitian
- Kate Bradbury – physiotherapist
- Kylie Christel – occupational therapist
- Elizabeth Hannan – social worker
- Christie Charlin – social worker
- Kristie Stamford– MNDA representative
- Sally Pittendrigh – speech therapist
We have recruited some of the best MND researchers in Australia and from around the world, and have formed national and international collaborations to create a centre of excellence.
With more than 70 full-time researchers, our MND research program seeks to understand the molecular origins of MND and developing new treatments for evaluation through clinical trials. We have established the largest MND biobank in Australia to facilitate this research.
Our researchers are currently undertaking a number of trials designed to significantly prolong the survival of MND sufferers.
- The ATLAS trial is testing a drug named Tofersen – the world first FDA-approved antisense therapy for MND caused by SOD1 mutation. The trial is designed to find out the therapeutic effect when Tofersen is given before the onset of clinical symptoms.
- The SPG302-ALS-001 trial is testing a novel compound called SPG302. One major aspect of MND is the loss of synapses – the communication between nerve cells and muscle. SPG302 has been designed to increase the number of synapses in the nerve cell.
- The Lighthouse trial is repurposing an HIV therapy – Triumeq to see if it can slow or stop activation of endogenous retroviruses in sporadic MND, the most common form of MND.
- The MEND trial is repurposing a well-known veterinary drug named Monepantel. This drug works by increasing the recycling and removal of excessive or abnormal proteins that are associated with motor neurone disease.
- The 3TLA trial is testing whether utilising overnight sleep studies when starting a patient with non-invasive ventilation will improve the adherence and effectiveness of the therapy.
Two more trials are coming in the near future, one with a novel therapy called VHB937, and the other with an antisense therapy targeting SOD1 mutation.
Neurodegenerative diseases clinical fellowship
MQ Health offers a full time 12-month clinical fellowship position in neurodegenerative diseases with opportunities for integrated research and teaching.
The Fellow receives comprehensive training in evidence-based, cutting-edge diagnosis, and multidisciplinary treatment of patients with a range of neurodegenerative disorders including MND, Parkinson’s disease and dementia.
Fellows are supported and mentored to support career progression. Appropriate candidates can potentially undertake higher degree research training pathways through Macquarie University. There may also be opportunities to join our specialist Neurology clinical team post-fellowship.
Higher degree research
Since 2014, we have formed the most comprehensive and all-encompassing research centre in Australia, where researchers and clinicians work side by side to decipher MND.
Opportunities for higher degree research include working with our experts to complete a:
- Master of research
- PhD program
Annual Neurodegeneration Meeting
The Macquarie Neurodegeneration Meeting is an annual event hosted by the Centre for MND Research, Macquarie University.
This event aims to empower Australian neuroscientists to showcase their research and to stimulate conversation and foster collaboration to develop treatments for a range of diseases, including MND, Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative brain disorders.