A FURNESS MP marked Brain Awareness Week by lending support to the call to harness the power of gene testing to improve treatments for neurological conditions.

During last week’s awareness week, Barrow and Furness Simon Fell hosted a group of UK research institutions and charities at the House of Commons to discuss the challenges of fast-forwarding new treatments for neurological diseases.

Mr Fell met representatives from the UCL Institute of Neurology, Neuro Research Trust and The National Brain Appeal who highlighted the opportunities for the UK, a world leader in using gene testing to deliver early diagnosis of neurological conditions, thanks to its long-term investment in biomedical research.

Simon heard how, with a streamlined testing and approvals procedure and additional funding for translational research, there is a real opportunity for the UK to take a world leading role in delivering effective treatments, meaning that those people affected by a neurological condition can live much longer, and much better.

Mr Fell said: “I was very glad to be able to mark Brain Awareness Week by hosting a group of UK research institutions and charities at the House of Commons to discuss fast-forwarding new treatments for neurological diseases.

“Peter and Julie Barton of Forge Europa Ltd in Ulverston are both Trustees of the Neuro Research Trust and have been stalwart advocates for investment in biomedical research to improve the lives of those with Neurological conditions. My considerable thanks go to them for organising such an interesting and engaging event that saw dozens of MPs - and the right Ministers - learn about these issues.”

More than one in six people in the UK are affected by a neurological condition from stroke to Parkinson’s disease, and motor neurone disease to dementia.

Professor Mike Hanna, Director of the UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, said: “We are on the cusp of huge life changing breakthroughs in the field of gene therapy.  However, this will only be achieved with increased funding for highly focused translational research, coupled with a commitment by government to develop a robust, but simplified approvals regime.”