Applications for funding projects are reviewed by an Advisory Panel. To apply for funding please see the Current SMT research grants or contact the SMT office for further information.
Sponsorship to date has included:
Supporting the Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit's clinic in Cambridge working on cognitive tools to differentiate between the different parkinsonisms (including MSA).
Funding the Molecular Neurology Group within the Institute of Biomedical Research in the University of Birmingham Medical School for DNA extraction and storage of MSA samples taken as part of the 3 year NNIPPS study (Natural History and Neuroprotection in Parkinson's Plus Syndromes).
Commissioning of the research study by Dr Anette Schrag to develop a scientifically-validated MSA specific quality of life tool, to be used to evaluate the benefits to patients of treatments and interventions. This is now ready for use and is being adopted internationally.
In 2001 the SMT funded a Clinical Research Fellow at Imperial College for three years. Dr Timothy Young focused on the neuro-biology of autonomic failure with particular reference to improving diagnostic techniques and symptom management in MSA. Published work to date includes the results of his study on the benefits of water to alleviate postural (orthostatic) hypotension in autonomic disorders.
Research articles from projects supported by SMT:
Shilpa Jain et al. Occupational Therapy in Multiple System Atrophy: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial. Movement Disorders, 2004; 19: 1360-1364.
TM Young, CJ Mathias. The effects of water ingestion on orthostatic hypotension in two groups of chronic autonomic failure: multiple system atrophy and pure autonomic failure. Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 2004; 75:1737-1741
TM Young, CJ Mathias. Pressor effect of water instilled via a gastrostomy tube in pure autonomic failure. Autonomic Neuroscience:Basic and Clinical, 2004; 113: 79-81