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Primary Care Research Network
East Midlands & South Yorkshire
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E. judith.martin@emsy.nhs.uk
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Studies A-Z > M > MND Epidemiology Study
An Epidemiological Investigation of Motor Neuron Disease
Several epidemiological studies have been performed and many factors have been suggested as increasing the risk of ALS, including smoking, alcohol, electric shock, trauma and high levels of exercise, but the results have been inconsistent, probably because of lack of statistical power.
In addition, previous studies examined lifestyle alone, whereas much more useful information could be obtained by allying such data to genetic information. As key members of a national DNA Bank, we are collecting samples of DNA from individuals with motor neuron disease and from a panel of unaffected people. We propose to perform an independent but parallel study of environmental and lifestyle risk factors.
The database will form a key component of the MND Biobank, which has been commissioned by the MND Association to provide an inexhaustible resource of DNA, RNA, protein and cell lines to facilitate genetic search by the international community into the causes of MND, but will also serve as a stand-alone resource compatible with other similar registers world-wide, greatly enhancing its power and value.