The Natalie Kate Moss Trust hosts Panel Discussion for their partners to discuss the Pioneering Progress in Brain Haemorrhage Research
- Diana Campbell
- Nov 7, 2024
- 4 min read
On Thursday, October 17th, The Natalie Kate Moss Trust hosted an insightful panel discussion, in partnership with Slater and Gordon, for their corporate partners and supporters, spotlighting the groundbreaking work in brain haemorrhage research at The University of Manchester and the vital importance of better preventative measures and management of blood pressure.
Hosting the panel was Barrister Andrew Axon from Parklane Plowden, guiding the conversation with an expert panel that included Fiona Moss, Director of The Natalie Kate Moss Trust, Dr. Adam Greenstein, a consultant specialising in hypertension, and the Intracerebral (ICH) research team from The University of Manchester, consisting of Professor Stuart Allan, Dr. Katie Murray, and Dr. Adrian Parry-Jones.
The ICH team detailed the remarkable evolution of their research over the last 12 years, with the team growing from just one PHD student to +25 researchers in 2024, all exploring brain haemorrhages from a multitude of different angles, illustrating the immense progress achieved since the partnership between the University and NKMT began. One of the advancements seen in that time was developed by Dr. Adrian Parry-Jones; he discussed the revolutionary treatment protocol created which is now implemented within the NHS. This is structured around three key interventions:
1: Reversing Anticoagulants (drugs that stop the blood from clotting)
2. Intensive Blood Pressure Lowering
3. Neurosurgical Care Pathways - ensuring prompt transfer to neurosurgical care
Katie Murray also discussed the vital importance of the Natalie Kate Moss Trust in her work, as the funds generated by NKMT have supported her postdoctoral research fellowship; without that funding that position wouldn’t be in existence. Katie is investigating the impact of intracerebral haemorrhage on cell-cell interactions using intravital imaging strategies.
The advancements in the research being done at the University culminated in the establishment of the Geoffrey Jefferson Brain Research Centre, in 2020 a centre of excellence in brain research. Professor Stuart Allan emphasised their vision to position Manchester as a global leader in neurological research and innovation, noting that they are very much at the tip of the iceberg of what needs to be done concerning neurological treatments.
“The panel discussion was an opportunity for the medical, allied health professionals, the legal industry, and the everyday person to come together to hear about the amazing work from the charity and the ICH Team from Manchester University. Slater and Gordon wants to support these discussions to help increase awareness of the ongoing risks of intracerebral haemorrhage, the impact it has on our health care system and on individuals and families - such as Fiona Moss and her family.”
— Dominic Smith, from Slater and Gordon
Also on the panel sat Dr. Adam Greenstein, a Natalie Kate Moss Trust trustee, Consultant and expert in hypertension. Dr. Greenstein underscored the necessity of routine blood pressure monitoring to support in preventing brain haemorrhages, noting that while effective treatments post-haemorrhage are crucial, brain haemorrhage preventative measures are equally as important. High blood pressure remains a significant risk factor for brain haemorrhages, and increased awareness and proactive health checks can play a major role in reducing the incidence of these life-altering events.
High blood pressure can cause damage to the blood vessels in the brain over time and therefore managing your blood pressure is immensely important to avoid risking such damage. If there is any damage to the vessels in the brain (whether due to blood pressure or otherwise), or if an individual has any abnormalities within the blood vessels (e.g. an Aneurysm or AVM etc), they are more susceptible to a bleed and therefore if there is a large amount of pressure going into those vessels there is more likely to be a bleed.
On average a third of the population has high blood pressure, but 50% of those people are undiagnosed (Source: Stroke UK) and therefore at risk of a brain haemorrhage. If we can individually understand, check and manage our blood pressure better, we are able to significantly mitigate the risk of having a bleed on the brain.
Dr Greenstein mentioned that this preventative measure is not only critical but the most accessible and modifiable, describing improved blood pressure management as the ‘low hanging fruit’ that we would all benefit from, not just with regards to preventing brain haemorrhages, but against countless other conditions from heart attacks to dementia. He also spoke about the importance of the different research teams at Manchester University working together on this issue, rather than in ‘silos’, and praised NKMT for bringing the teams together.
“It was fascinating and incredibly thought-provoking. The insights on proactive blood pressure management were especially impactful, reminding me to prioritise it like any other aspect of my health. It was also inspiring to witness the trust’s positive influence on the Manchester research community, driving collaboration and innovation.”
— Dave Scott, Chapel Press
The Natalie Kate Moss Trust is looking to further develop its Prevention Campaign in 2025, delivering more awareness days, and more Lunch and Learn Sessions in companies and introducing blood pressure to the curriculum in schools.
To find out more about how you can support this work and reach more undiagnosed people and support them to manage their blood pressure better to potentially better manage their blood pressure, please email fiona@nataliekatemoss.co.uk
