Let's Talk MND - Victoria University

Victoria University are conducting a trial called "The neuroprotective potential of exercise in individuals with Motor Neuron Disease – the ProtEx-MND project". It is in collaboration with Calvary Health Care Bethlehem and received funding from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).    They would like to understand if exercise can help maintain functional capacity and muscle and brain health in people diagnosed with MND. Despite the known benefits of exercise in improving physical function and quality of life in different clinical populations, exercise is currently not an integral part of the multidisciplinary care of people with MND. This is mainly due to the absence of MND-specific exercise guidelines and the limited evidence surrounding the beneficial effects of exercise in this population.    The aim of this project is to fill this knowledge gap and to understand if exercise can slow neurodegeneration in individuals living with MND, investigating the neuroprotective potential of 16 weeks of carefully prescribed exercise on their brain, spinal cord, and skeletal muscle. The findings of this study will help to determine the role of exercise in the care of people living with MND.   Here is a link to the project description: https://www.vu.edu.au/institute-for-health-sport-ihes/projects/the-protex-mnd-project