News
News
Find out about what's been happening at the Clinic.
MS-STAT2 trial results
Sept 2024: The results of the MS-STAT2 trial were announced by Professor Jeremy Chataway at the ECTRIMS research conference on 20th September.
MND-SMART: first results published
Sept 2024: The scientific data for the first two drugs tested in MND-SMART, memantine and trazodone, has been analysed, reviewed by experts, and published.
Octopus Clinical Trial update
Sept 2024: Anne Rowling Clinic randomises its 40th participant for the Octopus clinical trial in Edinburgh
FutureMS-2 update
Aug 2024: An update on the FutureMS-2 project
PhD student's 'Three Minute Thesis' success
August 2024: Huge congratulations to PhD student Áine Heffernan on winning the University of Edinburgh's 'Three Minute Thesis' competition.
Stepping out: Clinic researchers are fundraising in this year's Edinburgh Kiltwalk
Aug 2024: This September a team of Anne Rowling Clinic researchers will be putting their best foot forward to take on the Edinburgh Kiltwalk.
![Four people standing in a seminar room. Left to right is Dr Axel Montagne [internal examiner], Prof Giampetro Schiavo [external examiner], Dr Maria Stavrou [PhD candidate], Prof Selina Wray [external examiner]. The photo was taken after Maria's "viva voce" (oral) examination of her PhD.](https://www.annerowlingclinic.org/sites/default/files/styles/simplecroparticle/public/field/image/Maria%20Stavrou%20viva%20%28Axel%20Montagne%2C%20Giampetro%20Schiavo%2C%20Maria%20Stavrou%2C%20Selina%20Wray%29_750x500.jpg?itok=2Do31R0O&sc=c9d4b864e31eef001a09e003b6d3bc75)
PhD success for Rowling Scholar
Aug 2024: Many congratulations to former Rowling Scholar Dr Maria Stavrou, who has completed her PhD investigating the mechanisms of motor neuron disease. Here, Maria has summarised her PhD work and future plans.
The genetic landscape of MND in Scotland
Jun 2024: Researchers have analysed the DNA of hundreds of people with MND in Scotland. They have mapped the nationwide genetic landscape and compared it with that of other countries. The findings have implications for future treatment, and planning of interventions and participation in clinical trials.
Perceptions of using digital technology to monitor health
June 2024: People with neurological conditions, and their relatives/carers, attending the Anne Rowling Clinic support the use of digital technologies as an add-on to routine care.
Survey of the UK Motor Neuron Disease Nurse and Allied Health Professional Workforce
Jun 2024: An Anne Rowling Clinic team has undertaken a survey of the demographics, roles and viewpoints of the UK Motor Neuron Disease Nurse and Allied Health Professional (UK MND NAHP) workforce. The results are summarised in a brochure, which can be downloaded here.
PhD success for former Anne Rowling Clinical Trial Fellow
Feb 2024: Congratulations to Dr Charis Wong who has successfully completed her PhD.
New research into non-motor symptoms in MND
Jan 2024: A survey of people with MND across Scotland has revealed the extent and range of the non-movement-related symptoms that they experience.
Future MS Christmas message
Dec 2023: A short Christmas video message from the FutureMS team.
New research: Can speech be used to monitor motor neuron disease?
Dec 2023: Our researchers have reviewed the evidence for the use of speech assessment to evaluate disease progression in MND.
Winter newsletter 2023
Dec 2023: Our latest newsletter is now available.
Anne Rowling Clinic Christmas Closure
Dec 2023: Arrangements for NHS Lothian out-patient and research appointments held at the Anne Rowling Clinic over the Festive season.
Multiple sclerosis specialist team recognised at national awards
Nov 2023: NHS Lothian multiple sclerosis team win award at the Scottish Healthcare Awards 2023.
Neuroinflammation 2023: Neurolupus and beyond meeting
Nov 2023: Successful two day meeting for clinicians, clinician-scientists and scientists working in the field of immunological disease, with a focus on rare and neglected neuroinflammatory disorders was held in Edinburgh.
Octopus MS mini-podcast series
Oct 2023: Mini-podcast series explores the Octopus MS trial from different perspectives.
New faces join the Anne Rowling Clinic
Sept 2023: Meet the new staff that have recently joined the Clinic over the last few months.
Celebrating our fabulous technicians!
Sept 2023: This week is "Technicians' Week" and we're celebrating two of the wonderful technicians who work in our stem cell drug discovery labs.
Summer newsletter 2023
Aug 2023: Our latest newsletter is now available.
FutureMS update: People across Scotland are helping us to remove the uncertainty that an MS diagnosis brings
Aug 2023: We're delighted to report that more than half of the 440 people with MS across Scotland who joined up to the FutureMS study shortly after their diagnosis have agreed to continue to help us map their MS journey.
No more Mocha and walking the Kiltwalt fundraising challenges
Aug 2023: Local fundraiser gives up her mocha coffee and a team of staff from the Clinic are taking part in the Edinburgh Kiltwalk this September.
Research Open Evening
Aug 2023: Meet the researchers and scientists at our drop-in open evening next month.
Academic promotion success for Suvankar Pal
Aug 2023: Congratulations to our Principal Investigator Professor Suvankar Pal who is now Professor of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Clinical Trials at the University of Edinburgh.
Experiences of a Nursing student placement at the Clinic
July 2023: Calum Scoular a University of Edinburgh undergraduate nursing student recently completed his nursing elective placement at the Anne Rowling Clinic.
Northern Connections MS annual meeting 2023
June 2023: MS research staff present at prestigious meeting in Edinburgh
First patient joins the Octopus MS clinical trial in Edinburgh
June 2023: The Anne Rowling Clinic successfully randomises their first patient to the Octopus MS clinical trial.
Meet our two University of Edinburgh Interns
June 2023: Introducing two University of Edinburgh undergraduates working with us as interns this summer.
Launch of the Octopus MS Clinical Trial
May 2023: Revolutionary MS Clinical Trial for progressive MS is launched in Scotland.
Clinic Team are 'Running for Rowling'
May 2023: A team of staff from the Anne Rowling Clinic will take part in this year's Edinburgh Marathon Festival.
International Clinical Trials Day 2023
May 2023: Find out what's happening in Clinical Trials at the Anne Rowling Clinic.
International Nurses Day 2023
May 2023: We caught up with Isaac Chau, about his work as a research nurse.
Funding boost for human stem cell-based research in motor neuron disease
Mar 2023: Congratulations to Anne Rowling Clinic researcher Dr Bhuvaneish T Selvaraj who has been awarded a research grant from The Humane Research Trust.
Research Open Evening - successful return
Feb 2023: Popular open information evening makes its return in 2023.
The StarMS Trial for highly active relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis
Feb 2023: The Anne Rowling Clinic is open for recruitment to the StarMS Clinical Trial.
PhD success for former Anne Rowling Clinic Graduate Intern
Feb 2023: Former Anne Rowling Clinic Graduate Intern's successful defence of PhD thesis.
Research Open Evening: Thursday 23rd February 2023
Jan 2023: Meet researchers and scientists at our drop-in open evening next month.
Winter Newsletter 2022
Dec 2022: Our latest newsletter is now available.
Thank you to our 2022 fundraisers!
Dec 2022: As we near the end of this year, we want to acknowledge and celebrate all of the wonderful supporters who have raised funds and awareness of our vital research.
New staff and staff promotions
Dec 2022: Meet the new staff who have joined us over the past few months. We also celebrate some staff promotions.
Christmas closure period
Dec 2022: Arrangements for NHS outpatient and research appointments over the Festive period.
Clinic appointee to Scottish Government Advisory Committee
Dec 2022: Congratulations to Dr David Breen on being appointed to the Scottish National Advisory Committee for Neurological Conditions.
Using the Patient Health Questionnaire as a tool to screen for depression in people with multiple sclerosis
Nov 2022: A recent research study has evaluated whether an established questionnaire on depression is useful to use for people with MS.
Doddie Weir Statement
Nov 2022: A tribute to Doddie Weir.
NHS Lothian Celebrating Success Awards
Oct 2022: Brian Savage a finalist in NHS Lothian's Celebrating Success Awards 2022
The untapped potential of retinal imaging in neurodegenerative disorders
Oct 2022: We are using advanced retinal imaging with computational analysis to investigate 'the eye as a window to the brain'.
MND-SMART enrols 400th participant
Oct 2022: Four hundred people living with MND have now joined MND-SMART.
Dozens of gut bacteria are associated with multiple sclerosis
Sept 2022: An international research consortium involving Anne Rowling Clinic researchers has shown significant differences between the gut bacteria profiles of people with multiple sclerosis and healthy individuals, as well as between people with MS receiving different drug treatments.
Clinic appointee to the Commission on Human Medicines
August 22: Congratulations to Prof David Hunt on being appointed as an expert government advisor on human medicines.
Summer 2022 Newsletter
July 2022: Our latest newsletter is now available.
FutureMS: introducing our cohort
July 2022: We have described the broad profile of the cohort of 440 people who have participated in the FutureMS study.
Moving towards a better understanding of pain in multiple sclerosis
May 2022: 'Invisible symptoms' such as pain can be a major cause of distress in people with. MS. We are carrying out research into pain in MS to understand more about it, and how to alleviate it.
MS Research Projects update
May 2022: We caught up with Dawn Lyle, Lead Research Nurse at the Clinic for an update on MS studies and trials.
MND-SMART Trial update
April 2022: Stage 1 analysis of memantine and trazodone.
MS Study spotlight: FutureMS-2
April 2022: As part of MS Awareness Week we caught up with Christine Weaver, FutureMS-2 Study Project Manager to find out more about the study.
International evaluation of current practices in MND cognitive assessment
February 2022: An international analysis of cognitive assessment in MND suggests that it has a positive impact on people with MND, their caregivers and healthcare professionals' practice.
Winter Newsletter 2021
December 2021: Our latest newsletter is now available.
Thank you to our 2021 fundraisers!
Dec 2021: At the end of each year, we acknowledge the fantastic fundraisers who have directly helped further our research by fundraising their way.
MND-SMART clinical trial update: latest facts and figures
Dec 2021: The clinical trial of drug treatments in MND has now recruited over 250 people and there are 15 sites recruiting participants across Scotland and England.
Anne Rowling Clinic Christmas Closure
December 2021: Arrangements for NHS and research appointments over Christmas and Hogmanay.
Coronavirus - Latest information on clinic appointments
Aug 2022: Up-to-date information on appointments at the Anne Rowling Clinic.
The Jeffrey Young Research Programme - A research initiative to investigate Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
Oct 2021: Launch of new laboratory based research initiative for Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Launch of FutureMS-2 Study
Oct 2021: The beginning of October saw the first participants return to take part in the next phase of FutureMS.
New Faces in the Clinic
Oct 2021: Meet the new staff that have recently joined the research team at the Clinic over the last few months.
Resumption of Telephone Services
5th August 2021 Clinic reception and telephone service problems resolved
Long Covid study features on Panorama
July 2021: BBC Panorama's recent coverage of Long Covid included research led by Professor Alan Carson that is taking place in the Clinic.
World MS Day 2021
May 2021: For World MS Day (30th May) find out what's happening in MS research at the Anne Rowling Clinic
International Clinical Trials Day 2021
May 2021: Find out what's happening in Clinical Trials at the Anne Rowling Clinic.
Mini 3-D brain models could speed up search for MS treatments
May 2021: New research from Anne Rowling Clinic researchers hopes to move forward the development of new treatments.
Clinic supports vaccinations of nearly 10,000 NHS staff
April 2021: The Anne Rowling Clinic has helped in the fight against the pandemic by hosting the NHS Lothian staff vaccine clinics.
Clinic team stride out to raise funds
April 2021: The team of staff from the Clinic will take part in the Kiltwalk between 23 and 25 April.
World Parkinson’s Day
April 2021: For World Parkinson’s Day (11 April) find out what’s happening in Parkinson’s research at the Anne Rowling Clinic.
Planning permission received for Clinic extension
March 2021: Planning permission granted for extension to the Anne Rowling Clinic building.
On Covid & the Clinic - Dr Zack Hassan
February 2021: The Scotsman has published an opinion piece from one of our Rowling Clinical Fellows.
Rowling Scholar's research provides exciting new focus for potential MND drug treatments
January 2021: Motor neuron disease treatments that boost energy in nerve cells could be developed thanks to new research from Dr Arpan Mehta.
Winter newsletter 2020
December 2020: Our latest newsletter is now available.
New staff join the team
December 2020: Meet the new staff that have joined the Clinic team over the last few months.
Clinic researchers share findings at international symposium on MND
December 2020: Researchers will join together online from Wednesday 9 – Friday 11 December for the MNDA event.
New neurodegenerative diseases course launches
December 2020: Clinic staff have contributed to the development of a new course to increase understanding about MND, Parkinson's, MS and other conditions.
Biotin MS treatment study results published
December 2020: The company conducting this treatment trial concluded that unfortunately high-dose biotin did not improve the symptoms of MS.
Max Perutz Science Writing Award winner
October 2020: Many congratulations to Rowling Scholar Maria Stavrou, who has received a commendation in the 2020 MRC Max Perutz Science Writing competition.
CCMR One Clinical Drug Trial update
October 2020: Trial results presented at European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS on September 26th 2020
New research: 'Toxic effect' of cerebrospinal fluid in MND
August 2020: A review of scientific literature has revealed that cerebrospinal fluid obtained from people with motor neurone disease is damaging to cells.
Summer Newsletter 2020
July 2020: Our latest newsletter is now available.
MS-STAT2 Update
July 2020: We chatted to Dawn Lyle, Research Project Coordinator and Lead Research Nurse at the Clinic, for an update on the MS-STAT2 clinical trial.
New faces in the Clinic
July 2020: Meet the new staff that have joined the Clinic team over the last few months.
Clinic study proves reliability of videoconferencing for MND appointments
June 2020: Our research has found that appointments via videoconference are as effective as face-to-face appointments, and that people with MND are keen to use videoconference for future consultations.
Life during lockdown
June 2020: An update from the Anne Rowling Clinic team amidst the coronavirus pandemic.
SpeakUnique launches as online company
June 2020: Today we’re delighted to announce the launch of the research spin-out company – SpeakUnique.
Study published into MND drug riluzole
May 2020: The study reviewed riluzole prescribing, uptake and treatment discontinuation in Scotland.
Review article published on the neurological impact of coronaviruses
May 2020: A team led by Rowling Scholar, Dr Arpan Mehta, has published a timely review article summarising the emerging evidence pointing to various neurological effects of COVID-19.
Results published of audit of MND cognitive assessments led by Rowling Scholar
April 2020: The findings of a study have been published this week auditing cognitive assessments in people with MND in Scotland.
Information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
Information for people who attend NHS Lothian MND clinics at the Anne Rowling Clinic. Published Thursday 26th March 2020.
Information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and neuroinflammatory disease
Information for people who attend NHS Lothian neuroinflammatory clinics at the Anne Rowling Clinic. Published Friday 20 March 2020.
Information on coronavirus (COVID-19) and Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disease modifying therapies
Information for people who attend NHS Lothian MS clinics at the Anne Rowling Clinic. Published Friday 20 March 2020.
Clinic sees first participant in new MND Clinical Trial
March 2020: The Anne Rowling Clinic is the first UK trial centre to open for MND-SMART, the pioneering new MND clinical trial from the Euan MacDonald Centre.
David Hunt appointed Professor of Neuroinflammatory Medicine
Feb 2020: Many congratulations to David Hunt on his promotion to Professor.
MND-SMART: landmark MND trial to launch at the Anne Rowling Clinic
January 2020: The new innovative clinical trial MND-SMART is now seeking people with MND from across the UK to test potential new treatments.
Winter newsletter 2019
Dec 2019: Our latest newsletter is now available.
Our 2019 Fundraising Round-up
Dec 2019: To all our awesome fundraisers – thank you so much for walking, baking, cycling, joking and selling. Whatever you chose to do, we hope you enjoyed fundraising and feel deservedly proud of what you have achieved. As well as supporting vital research, you have also helped raise awareness of the Anne Rowling Clinic. Thank you.
30 years of the Scottish National MND Register
Dec 2019: The Scottish National MND Register, which has become an invaluable resource for research and to monitor care across the country, was founded in 1989, the first national MND register in the world.
Dr Belinda Weller
Nov 2019: Dr Belinda Weller, Consultant Neurologist and researcher, has passed away.
Clinic scholarships helping to train neuroscience researchers across the world
Nov 2019: Dr Jamil Said received an Anne Rowling Clinic Regenerative Neurology Scholarship to help him realise his ambitions to advance neuroscience research in Africa.
Parkinson's fundraiser is picture perfect
Nov 2019: We're incredibly grateful to Norman Yarrow, David Yarrow Photography and The Hunter Foundation for a wonderful evening at the Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum in Glasgow.
New Parkinson's clinic sees first patients
Oct 2019: Welcome to Dr David Breen as he starts his new Parkinson's clinic.
September research open evening success
Sept 2019: Visitors joined staff and researchers to learn more about the activities of the Clinic.
J.K. Rowling donates further £15m to multiple sclerosis research
Sep 2019: The author J.K. Rowling has donated £15.3m to the University of Edinburgh to help improve the lives of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and similar conditions.
Shuna Colville announces her retirement
Aug 2019: After seven years as the first Anne Rowling Clinic and Research Project Manager, Shuna Colville is retiring.
Prestigious award for Rowling Scholar
Aug 2019: Congratulations to Dr Maria Stavrou who has been awarded a Medical Research Council Clinical Research Training Fellowship.
Dr Daisy Mollison tells us about her MS PhD
July 2019: Dr Daisy Mollison was one of our first Rowling Scholars and has recently completed her PhD focusing on multiple sclerosis.
Facts and figures on worldwide rate and impact of neurological disorders
July 2019: Recent findings indicate that neurological disorders continue to be the leading cause of disability worldwide.
Radio 4 appearance for Clinic's neurologists
July 2019: Professor Siddharthan Chandran and Professor Anna Williams recently appeared on a BBC Radio 4 series about MS.
Dr David Hunt awarded Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship
Jun 2019: Many congratulations to Dr David Hunt, who has been awarded a prestigious Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship to study how abnormal immune activation affects the brain.
Edinburgh Brain Bank News Update
Jun 2019: So far 64 people with MS have consented to donate their brain tissue to our brain bank when they die and 6 donations have been received. Results from research using donations are now beginning to be published.
New MS 'Theory of mind' study launches
Jun 2019: A new study has launched to explore psychological, interpersonal and social functioning in people with MS.
Rowling Scholars' British neurology prize succes
May 2019: Dr Arpan Mehta and Dr Patrick Kearns were competition finalists at the Association of British Neurologists Annual Meeting.
Future MS study fully recruited
May 2019: 440 people with MS from across Scotland have signed up to the study which is developing a tool to predict how a person's MS will progress.
New faces in the Clinic
May 2019: Meet the new staff who have joined our Clinic team over the last few months.
Busy Open Evening at Clinic
Apr 2019: Our recent Open Evening on the 10th April was a great success with around 60 people joining us on the night.
PHQiMS study fully recruited
Apr 2019: 130 people with MS have signed up to test the questionnaire that measures mood.
New MND incidence and prevalence study published.
March 2019: The study used data from the CARE-MND platform to investigate how common MND is in Scotland.
Supporting the Edinburgh University Neuroscience Society Conference
Feb 2019: We’re delighted to be supporting the Edinburgh University Neurological Society (EUNS) Annual Conference which takes place on Saturday 2nd March.
Clinic hosts MS-SMART unblinding event
Feb 2019: On Saturday 9th February, the Clinic hosted an ‘unblinding event’ for people with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) who took part in the MS-SMART drugs trial.
Prestigious funding success for three Rowling Fellows
Feb 2019: Congratulations to three Rowling Fellows: David Breen, Liz Elliott and Rickie Patani (left to right in photo), who have all obtained prestigious fellowship funding to enable them to continue and expand their research.
New research: brain cell differences in people with MS
Jan 2019: Our researchers have published findings using brain bank samples showing important differences in brain cells called oligodendrocytes in people with and without MS.
Welcome to our new website!
Dec 2018: We’re excited to launch our new website.
Fantastic Fundraisers
Dec 2018: It has been an award-winning year for fundraising in aid of the Anne Rowling Clinic. Together our fantastic fundraisers have raised over £61,000 in support of our vital research work.
New faces around the Clinic
Dec 2018: We’d like to introduce you to some of the people that have recently joined the Clinic staff team.
MS SMART - First '3 in 1' MS trial completed
Oct 2018: Researchers have completed the MS-SMART clinical trial on multiple sclerosis (MS) in which 3 different drugs were tested at the same time instead of 1 by 1 by 1 - a world first in progressive neurological disease research.
Sarah McGlasson wins Scopus Early Career Researcher Award
Oct 2018: Congratulations to postdoctoral researcher Sarah McGlasson, who has won the Elsevier / US-UK Fulbright Commission 2018 UK Early Career Researcher Award in Medicine.
MS-STAT2 clinical drug trial open for recruitment
Aug 2018: MS-STAT2 is a UK-wide phase 3 clinical drug trial which will test simvastatin, a drug used to lower cholesterol, in people with secondary progressive MS (SPMS).
Summer 2018 e-newsletter
June 2018: The latest edition of our e-newsletter is now available.
Speak:Unique on the road: a Scottish island-hopping adventure!
June 2018: The Speak:Unique team has been on the road, recording voices in the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland.
Medical Research Foundation's first Emerging Leaders Prize
Apr 2018: Dr David Hunt, a consultant at the Anne Rowling Clinic, has won first prize in the Medical Research Foundation's Emerging Leaders Prize.
New Parkinson's disease research initiative
Apr 2018: A major Parkinson's disease research programme between Dundee and Edinburgh, which was launched last week, has the support of Dolly the Sheep scientist Prof Sir Ian Wilmut.
Research Open Evening: 12th April 2018
Mar 2018: Meet researchers at our drop-in open evening next month.