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By Professor John B Clark, PhD, DSc
Institute of
Neurology
Queen Square
London
WC1N 3BG |
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- TRUST
The trust was
established in 1974 to mark the 500th Anniversary of the granting
of the original Charter to the Company.
The founding
trustees were:
Mr Reginald Campling (Master at the
time)
Mr Geoffrey Peacock (later Sir Geoffrey - member of the
Company)
Dr J.E. Forrest (member of the Company)
Dr Reg
Kelly (Dean of the Institute of Neurology)
Professor Roger
Gilliat (Professor of Clinical Neurology, Institute of
Neurology)
The Trust is managed by 5 trustees, 3 from the
Company and 2 from the Institute. The current trustees
are:
Dr John Campling
Mr John Peacock
Mr Richard
Wildash
Professor John B Clark (Professor of Neurochemistry,
Institute of Neurology)
Professor Martin Rossor (Professor of
Clinical Neurology, Institute of Neurology)
- OBJECTIVES The principle objective
of the trust is to promote and support research into the effects
of metals (and their derivatives) upon the brain and nervous
system with a view to improving the diagnosis, treatment and cure
of diseases of the brain (nervous system).
- OUTCOMES The outcomes expected
from the research would be to contribute to health of the nation
by improving, not only diagnosis, but also in the long term, the
health and quality of life of the community at large.
- STRATEGY The strategy employed to
achieve these objectives and outcomes is
two-fold:
Appointment of a Pewterers Research Fellow at the
Institute of Neurology
Sponsorship of a public lecture
every 3 years at the Institute by a distinguished person on a
subject related to the trust's objective(s). For example in 2001
Professor P.N. Leigh of King's College London spoke on 'Molecules,
Metals and Vikings: The Saga of Motor Neurone Disease' and in 1998
Professor C.W. Olanow of Mt. Sinai Medical School, New York, USA
on 'Of Mines and Men: Manganese and the Brain'.
- PARKINSONS and ALZEIMERS The
Fellow's research objectives revolve around deciphering the basic
molecular mechanisms underlying the onset of a number of
neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Parkinson's and
Alzheimer's disease. It is clear that metals e.g. Iron (Fe) may be
involved in these diseases, generating in the brain toxic reactive
molecules (free radicals) which, unless destroyed, will give rise
to cell death. Part of the basic strategy is to investigate
potential antidotes (antioxidants) to these toxic species with a
view to using them in future treatments.
- PARAQUET This well-known weed
killer is known to generate similar toxic species in cells, and we
have used it as a model system to investigate the effects of a
specific group of molecules (manganese-salens) as potential
antioxidants to its toxicity. These chemically synthesised
molecules protect cells against paraquat toxicity and hence may be
useful not only in the treatment of paraquat poisoning (even to
this day a killer) but also in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's
disease.
- NEMATODE WORM Another aspect of
the research is to investigate the role that these toxic species
(free radicals) play in the normal ageing process for which we
use, again as a model system, the nematode worm, C. elegans. With
a lifespan of only 22 days, this simple creature allows us to
investigate many generations in a relatively short space of time.
- EXPLOITATION OF RESEARCH One of
the strengths of the research at the Institute of Neurology is its
close relationship and proximity to the National Hospital for
Neurology and Neurosurgery in Queen Square. This allows rapid
translation of potentially new treatment procedures from the
laboratory to the hospital ward and close interaction of the
research fellow with practicing clinicians. The future research
strategy is exciting with the possibility of developing these
hypotheses further - already the synthetic compounds referred to
above are being trialled for use in certain patients in intensive
care.
- FUTURE OF RESEARCH PROGRAMME The
success of the research programme carried out by the Fellow relies
heavily on the continuous and generous support given by the
Company which allows the continuity and flexibility provided by
the 5 year Fellowships. This flexibility also permits valuable
skill transfers between Fellows [3 past Fellows still have ongoing
research interactions] as well as the opportunity to develop
promising new lines of research.
The
500th Anniversary Trust is approaching its 30th anniversary and its
objectives and support are more important and relevant than ever
before in an increasingly ageing world with dwindling national
resources for medical research.
Pewterers Fellows
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Date
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Fellow
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1974 to 1976
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Dr. J J Barlow
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1976 to 1982
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Dr. J Lai
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1982 to 1987
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Dr. T K C Leung
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198 to 1989
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Dr. R Kozma
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1991-1993
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Dr. Timothy Bates
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1993-1995
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Dr. Simon Heales
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1995-1998
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Dr. Roger Hurst
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1999-2004
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Dr. Martyn Sharpe
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2005-
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Dr. Stephanie Schorge
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