Past event
Saints Talk: Professor Gareth Miles Neurons, their neighbours and Motor Neuron Disease; best-laid schemes o" mice an" men
We are delighted to invite you to our next instalment in the Saints Talk series, which will be presented by Professor Gareth Miles, Neurons, their neighbours and Motor Neuron Disease; best-laid schemes o' mice an' men.
Our ability to walk is controlled by groups of neurons within our spinal cords. However, neurons don't achieve this alone, they are helped by neighbouring cells called astrocytes. Whilst astrocytes normally help neurons control movements, in diseases such as Motor Neuron Disease (MND), astrocytes can switch from a supportive to a damaging role. Professor Miles' research studies the roles of astrocytes in both 'healthy' and 'disease' states, with the goal of revealing new targets to guide the development of novel therapies for devastating diseases such as MND.
Professor Miles leads the Neural Control of Movement laboratory and is Head of the School of Psychology and Neuroscience. He is also a member of the Scotland-wide Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research. Professor Miles received the 7th International Paulo Gontijo Award in Medicine for his work deciphering disease mechanisms underlying MND.