People affected by motor neurone disease (MND) have heard about advances in disease research being developed in Dundee.

Scientists in the city are focusing on early brain changes in those diagnosed with the disease.

Researchers met with patients and their families to share progress.

Among them was Graham Douglas, who was diagnosed with MND last year after tests and a scan.

He told STV News: “I went to America to visit my daughter and she needed some work. However, I couldn’t raise my arms above my head, I couldn’t even hold a screwdriver.”

The former Michelin worker remains positive and says he is making the most of life.

“Obviously it was a shock to begin with,” Mr Douglas said. “Now, I’m resigned to the fact that it’s not going to be a good result, but I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing as long as I can.

“I can still walk, talk and drink, so I’m not happy, but I’m resigned to that part of it. Something is going to change and it’s going to get worse.”

Mr Douglas is one of 400 people living with MND in Scotland and around 200 people are newly diagnosed each year.

The disease stops signals from the brain reaching the muscles. The average life expectancy is only 18 months from diagnosis and there is currently no cure or effective treatment.

Former Scotland rugby star Doddie Weir, who died of MND two years ago, helped raise awareness of the disease.

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It is a journey of loss – a disease that robs people of their mobility, speech and ultimately their lives.

At an event in Dundee earlier this week, people affected by MND met scientists looking for a treatment and ultimately a cure for the condition.

Dr Chris Henstridge from the University of Dundee said: ‘We are focusing on one of the earliest changes in the brains of people with motor neurone disease and that is the loss of junctions between brain cells.

“We know they’re lost early on, but we don’t know exactly where they’re lost or why they’re lost, and ultimately what we want to do is understand why those connection points break down.

“If we can keep them healthy, I really believe we can stop the disease or at least slow the disease down in its very early stages and have a real impact on people living with this disease.”

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