Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi MB, ChB, PhD
Professor of Neurology and Complex Disease Genetics
Research interests
- Neuroscience
Contact details
Biography
My research focuses on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or motor neuron disease (MND). My research team works on finding the causes of ALS, and what might influence the way the disease manifests and progresses, particularly where this involves genes, environmental exposures, or changes in thinking and coping.
I have also held fellowships and exchange positions abroad at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. I set up the MSc in Clinical Neuroscience at King's College London, which is our clinical research trainee programme. I have authored more than 250 peer-reviewed papers and hold extensive external grant funding, including 3 current and 6 recently completed programme grants, as well as funding from Medical Research Council, Horizon 2020, and National Institute for Health Research.
Please see my Research Staff Profile for more detail
Key publications:
- Van Rheenen et al., 2016. Genome-wide association analyses identify new risk variants and the genetic architecture of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis Letter
- Al-Chalabi et al., 2014. Analysis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis as a multistep process: a population-based modelling study Volume 13, Issue 11
- Fang et al., 2018. Stage at which riluzole treatment prolongs survival in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a retrospective analysis of data from a dose-ranging study Volume 17, Issue 5
Key collaborators:
- Prof Leonard van den Berg, University Medical Center Utrecht
- Prof Orla Hardiman, Trinity College Dublin
- Prof Christopher McDermott, University of Sheffield
- Prof Chris Shaw, King's College London
Research
The RHAPSODY Study
Clinical Feasibility of Speech Phenotyping for Remote Assessment of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric disorders (RHAPSODY)
Project status: Ongoing
News
New research institute to accelerate the search for a cure for MND
A new research institute to accelerate the search for a cure for motor neuron disease (MND, also known as ALS), launches today in London.
New programme to move potential MND drugs into clinical trials faster
A ground-breaking experimental medicine programme that will enable researchers to more rapidly screen potential drugs in people with motor neuron disease...
PrecisionLife completes data access agreement with King's College London to enable new precision neuroscience treatments and diagnostics in MND/ALS
The techbio company, PrecisionLife, announced that it has agreed a data access and licensing agreement with King’s College London to enable it to generate and...
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care visits King's College London
Following a meeting of sector leaders, the Rt Hon Stephen Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met with scientists from King’s College...
Treatment for Motor Neurone Disease shows promise
A trial investigating a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has shared promising results.
New £4.25 million grant kick starts UK-wide collaborative research effort to end motor neuron disease
A group of charities and government research organisations has awarded £4.25 million to MND experts at six UK universities to kick start collaborative efforts...
Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi Appointed as Co-Chair of NINDS ALS Strategic Plan Working Group
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has formed a strategic planning process to identify the highest priorities for...
Diagnosis of a genetic cause in hundreds of people with motor neuron disease could be missed due to “arbitrary age limits and rules” on genetic testing new study shows
Genetic testing for amyotrophic sclerosis (ALS), also called motor neuron disease, is usually restricted to patients with family members also affected by ALS,...
Professor K Ray Chaudhuri receives award from International Parkinson & Movement Disorders Society
The Honorary Membership Award, which recognizes persons who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of Movement Disorders, was presented to...
Simple blood test can accurately reveal underlying neurodegeneration
A new study of over 3000 people led by King’s College London in collaboration with Lund University, has shown for the first time that a single biomarker can...
Research
The RHAPSODY Study
Clinical Feasibility of Speech Phenotyping for Remote Assessment of Neurodegenerative and Psychiatric disorders (RHAPSODY)
Project status: Ongoing
News
New research institute to accelerate the search for a cure for MND
A new research institute to accelerate the search for a cure for motor neuron disease (MND, also known as ALS), launches today in London.
New programme to move potential MND drugs into clinical trials faster
A ground-breaking experimental medicine programme that will enable researchers to more rapidly screen potential drugs in people with motor neuron disease...
PrecisionLife completes data access agreement with King's College London to enable new precision neuroscience treatments and diagnostics in MND/ALS
The techbio company, PrecisionLife, announced that it has agreed a data access and licensing agreement with King’s College London to enable it to generate and...
Secretary of State for Health and Social Care visits King's College London
Following a meeting of sector leaders, the Rt Hon Stephen Barclay MP, Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, met with scientists from King’s College...
Treatment for Motor Neurone Disease shows promise
A trial investigating a new treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has shared promising results.
New £4.25 million grant kick starts UK-wide collaborative research effort to end motor neuron disease
A group of charities and government research organisations has awarded £4.25 million to MND experts at six UK universities to kick start collaborative efforts...
Professor Ammar Al-Chalabi Appointed as Co-Chair of NINDS ALS Strategic Plan Working Group
The U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) has formed a strategic planning process to identify the highest priorities for...
Diagnosis of a genetic cause in hundreds of people with motor neuron disease could be missed due to “arbitrary age limits and rules” on genetic testing new study shows
Genetic testing for amyotrophic sclerosis (ALS), also called motor neuron disease, is usually restricted to patients with family members also affected by ALS,...
Professor K Ray Chaudhuri receives award from International Parkinson & Movement Disorders Society
The Honorary Membership Award, which recognizes persons who have made extraordinary contributions to the field of Movement Disorders, was presented to...
Simple blood test can accurately reveal underlying neurodegeneration
A new study of over 3000 people led by King’s College London in collaboration with Lund University, has shown for the first time that a single biomarker can...