Introducing CognoMND™
Motor Neuron Disease can affect how people think and behave as well as move. In this short film, SITraN researchers explain the signs to look for and why early screening is important.
In this short film, researchers from the Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN) explain what Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is and explore how it affects people beyond physical movement. MND damages the nerves that control muscles, which can lead to weakness, difficulty speaking, and problems with breathing. But it can also affect thinking and behaviour. Around half of people living with MND experience changes in memory, decision making, or personality. These changes are often subtle at first and can be difficult to recognise.
Researchers are working to better understand these cognitive changes and why early screening matters. This introductory film explains how speech, conversation, and everyday behaviour can offer important clues about what someone is experiencing. It also highlights the importance of listening to both people living with MND and their families when building a full picture of care needs.
About CognoMND™
CognoMND™ is an innovative digital screening tool developed at the University of Sheffield, in partnership with the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, the NIHR HealthTech Research Centre in Long-Term Conditions (Devices for Dignity), and University of Edinburgh. It appears as a virtual agent on a laptop and asks carefully designed questions. Using artificial intelligence, the system analyses patterns in a person’s speech to look for subtle signs of thinking change.
Credits
- Senior Investigator: Dr Daniel Blackburn (Senior Clinical Lecturer at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN))
- Senior Investigator: Professor Christopher McDermott (Professor of Translational Neurology at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN)
- Dr Leslie Ing (Clinical Research Fellowship at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN))
- Dr Emily Mayberry (Senior Clinical Psychologist Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN))
- Dr Alys Wyn Griffiths (Senior Research Fellow at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN))
- Dr Esther Hobson (Senior Lecturer in Neurology at Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN))
- Professor Heidi Christensen (Head of School of Computer Science at the University of Sheffield)
- Dr Bahman Mirheidari (Research Fellow at at the University of Sheffield)
- Professor Sharon Abrahams (Professor of Neuropsychology at the University of Edinburgh)
- Lise Sproson (Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement Lead at Devices for Dignity)
- Dr Clare Bartlett (Theme Manager at Devices for Dignity)
- Filmmaker: Will Armson
Thank you to the CognoMND participants, lived experience advisory group, researchers/co-researchers and collaborators as well as funding from the self-funded medical research organisation, LifeArc.
