About the group

The UK MND CSG was established in 2009 to promote research to develop better treatments and care for people affected by MND. We are a national group, bringing together clinical researchers (principal investigators) from across the UK, along with representatives from patient advocacy groups, to support the development and delivery of MND healthcare research projects.  We are now the healthcare research arm of the UK Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute (UK MND RI). 

The group represents a central component of the framework for MND research within the UK. It provides the primary route through which NIHR CRN (National Institute for Health and Care Research Clinical Research Network) Portfolio studies are monitored and supported, and through which new ideas for clinical research studies are developed. 

On this page:

Our aims

Members provide local leadership to the network and are responsible for:

They support the development of new ways of working within the local workforce to increase the integration of health research with patient care, and to improve the speed, quality and integration of clinical research in trusts across the network.

Our structure

The group is linked with the specialist MND Care Centres and networks in the four countries throughout the UK (England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland). The group is well placed to ensure that high-quality clinical research is made available to NHS patients in all sectors and geographical areas of the Clinical Research Network.

The group has a chair and deputy chair to ensure continual leadership of the group's objectives.

Membership of the UK MND CSG has been composed to reflect, as reasonably as possible, the various agencies involved in the development and implementation of high quality protocols involved in MND research. The group includes clinical, scientific, and multi-professional members, as well as funding bodies, and is drawn from a wide geographical area to ensure that each geographical region has representation.

The UK MND CSG seeks to involve patients and carers in all aspects of its work, and has two patients and a carer representative on the group.

There is a balance between experienced members with a strong track record in clinical studies and less experienced, but equally committed, members showing the potential to become leaders in the research community. Links with local Clinical Research Networks are encouraged.

The group has a coordinator who has responsibility for assisting the group in achieving its aims and objectives, and supporting working groups and projects that derive from its members.

Find out more about our members.

Research delivery: Industry and non-commercial

The group has built upon the existing clinical research activity and clinical strengths within the UK to ensure reliable delivery of a well-designed and balanced portfolio of both industry-led and non-commercial (academic-led) research in MND. 

The group has provided leadership to facilitate multi-centre collaborations to support research development, bringing new studies through to the clinical environment in an effective and timely manner.

Find out more about research involving people living with MND

How we do it

The group meets monthly via teleconference and has an annual face-to-face meeting to discuss strategic planning. We establish working groups between these meetings to take forward new projects and ideas. If you would like to join us, visit get involved.

Key activities

Strategic priorities

Strategic priorities are identified by the group on an annual basis, to facilitate development of new research ideas and ensure that gaps in clinical care and scientific research are highlighted amongst the group. Where feasible, writing groups are set up to develop these areas.

What people say

"The Trajectories of Outcomes in Neurological Conditions (TONiC) study is a major, longitudinal study examining factors impacting on quality of life in MND. By 1 June 2017, 1,049 people with MND had joined the study and we are keen to follow up as many as possible to see how care can be adapted to improve outcomes and thus quality of life. Such massive recruitment requires considerable energy and commitment from many collaborating sites and the support of the UK MND CSG has been pivotal."

Professor Carolyn Young, Chief Investigator and Consultant Neurologist

"The clinical studies group works together to develop the evidence to make sure we deliver the best care to people with MND and to give people living with MND in the UK the opportunity to take part in the most promising studies of new treatments."

Professor Christopher McDermott, Chair of the UK MND CSG and Consultant Neurologist