Walmsleys continues as NKMT Partner and supports research to to find new ways to repair the brain after intracerebral haemorrhage

Walmsleys Commercial Insurance Brokers were one of the first corporate partners of The Natalie Kate Moss Trust and have supported the charity at a number of events, including our  last event held in April 2024. Continuing their support for another 12 months, Walmsleys will be funding a very specific research project at The Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, Manchester University, to help fund the use of a MRI for a specific project which looks at finding new ways to repair the brain after intracerebral haemorrhage.

Managing Director, Philip Wall, said of the partnership:

““We were initially introduced to the NKMT via a business relationship and Fiona came to our premises to explain what the aims and objectives of the Trust are and why it was set up in honour of Natalie. It had a profound effect on us all here and highlighted just how important the work of the trust is in bringing us closer to a future where brain injuries are better understood, treated, and ultimately prevented. Among several other small practical changes we’ve made to the way we go about our daily lives, our staff have embraced the culture of monitoring their blood pressure on a regular basis here at the office. We are proud to support this remarkable organisation and help them by funding groundbreaking research, providing support for those affected by brain injuries and raising general awareness in the community and wider world. They are really nice people too…””

The project that Walmsleys are supporting, which is being led by Dr Catherine Lawrence looks at finding new ways to repair the brain after intracerebral haemorrhage.

Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) is a stroke subtype caused by spontaneous bleeding into brain tissue. ICH is responsible for over half of the 6.5 million stroke-related deaths annually worldwide and accounts for the majority of the disability burden of stroke, with 80% of ICH patients remaining dependent on others in the long-term. (Read more about Brain Haemorrhage).

However, there remain few effective therapies to improve outcome and help the brain repair. After ICH there is activation of multiple repair mechanisms including those to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels, which help to restore blood flow and oxygen supply to the damaged brain tissue.The team at The University of Manchester have identified a particular type of cell, called ‘a perivascular macrophage’ that they think helps blood vessels to work properly again after ICH.

The aim of their work is therefore to test whether these cells aid recovery after haemorrhage. To do this they need to use a rodent model of haemorrhage and image their brains over time using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This will allow them to see if the presence of these cells is associated with improved outcomes such as better blood flow. Overall, this work will identify a potential new target to improve how people recover after a haemorrhage.

The use of MRI incurs significant costs that are unable to be met through the studentship funding for the PhD student (Joseph Cooper) who will undertake this work. Walmsleys generous support of £3000 helps to fund the cost of this research for one year. 

Find out more about supporting The Natalie Kate Moss Trust and funding specific research projects and being associated with developing life saving treatments at The Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre at The University of Manchester.