Clinical suite that helps unlock the mysteries of neurological disorders

Clinical suite that helps unlock the mysteries of neurological disorders

A clinical room at a University of Queensland health research facility is set to help unlock the mysteries of neurological diseases affecting a billion people worldwide.

Recently the Neurosciences Clinical Research Suite (NCRS) was launched at UQThe Center for Clinical Research (UQCCR) will be a hub for scientists, clinicians and health professionals who want to work directly with clinical trial patients and help find new treatments for brain diseases.

Consultant Neurologist and Clinical Researcher at UQCCRAssociate Professor Rob Henderson said the suite at Herston Health Precinct was designed to meet growing demand and allow them to potentially carry out more clinical trials.

Neurological trials are one of the fastest growing therapies in Australia and this clinical research suite will help ensure Queensland is at the forefront of advancing this vital research.

It gives our researchers and clinicians more opportunities to assess patients in a person-centered manner, which could ultimately help us conduct more clinical trials and enable breakthrough medical discoveries.”

Dr. Rob Henderson, UQCCR Associate Professor

Neurological research underway at UQCCR focuses on improving outcomes for patients with brain diseases such as stroke, epilepsy, motor neuron disease, movement disorders, demyelinating diseases, progressive neurodegenerative diseases, mental illness and brain injury.

Dr. Henderson said the suite offers a personalized approach for clinical trial patients.

“This suite is fully equipped with medical equipment and will allow clinical trial participants to be examined and receive specialized treatment in an easily accessible location,” he said.

“Having a single point of contact can make a crucial difference for someone with a brain disorder, as well as their carers and families.”

Brisbane resident Matt Whyte was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND) in February and has enrolled in several clinical trials at UQ to help scientists find a cure.

MND is a condition that affects the brain and nerves, causing weakness that gets worse over time. There is no cure.

“Last October I lost my balance when I climbed off the back of my car, landed flat on my back and fractured my spine,” Mr Whyte said.

“As I recovered, my legs became weak and unstable, I was unable to walk and fell against walls.”

"I was only diagnosed with MND in February this year and was already on crutches. Now I'm in a wheelchair."

Mr Whyte has enrolled in various MND clinical trials running at UQ, including Dr biopsies and changes in the brain and spine using MRI scans as the disability develops.

He said a suite like the new one at UQCCR made perfect sense.

“If all the procedures can be done in one facility, the research trials can be much more proactive and have less impact on someone like me,” Mr Whyte said.

"MND is very tiring and having to wait in multiple places all day can really tire you out. So being able to go to one place and work with people who know and respect the disease is really important."

“I don’t think they’ll find a magic cure in the time I have left, but I hope my contribution will provide them with insights that can help them get one step closer.”

Source:

The University of Queensland