Research Conference

On Monday 9th December, in conjunction with the MND Research Network, we proudly hosted the inaugural MND New Zealand Research Conference at the Cordis Hotel in Auckland.

Sixteen speakers, both national and international experts, discussed the latest updates in MND Research.

The morning’s session focused on understanding and diagnosing MND. We heard from Dr Emma Scotter of the Motor Neuron Disease Lab at The University of Auckland, fellow Kiwi Chris Shaw, now based at King’s College in London, and Professor Orla Hardiman from Trinity College in Dublin to name but a few.

In the afternoon, we learned about caring for and supporting those with MND. Speakers included Professor Alister Neil from the University of Otago at Wellington, also a Respiratory & Sleep Physician at Wellington Hospital (CCDHB), Professor Chris McDermott from Sheffield Institute of Translational Neuroscience and Professor David Oliver among others.

The thought-provoking keynote address was delivered by Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi award winning consultant neurologist and Director of the King’s Motor Neuron Disease Care and Research Centre at Kings College in London.

Professor Al-Chalabi’s talk, MND Where do we go from here? focused on the importance of understanding the reasons MND develops and how technological advances have supported research into understanding the underlying causes of MND.

We’d also like to acknowledge the generous financial assistance from the Neurological Foundation, Dairy Goat Cooperative Trust and The Trusts Community Foundation, which helped bring the conference to life.