The Motor neuron disease research team in the Neurodegeneration Research Laboratory, based at the Brain and Mind Centre (BMC), are working to understand why particular cells in the nervous system die, including motor neuron disease. Our ultimate aim is to develop and test treatments that can prevent this devastating disease. We are particularly interested in the role of metals, and metal-dependent proteins, in the nervous system. We have identified that copper is reduced in motor neuron disease brain tissue, and are developing the first tool to quantify and assess the distribution of copper in the living brain. This outcome would be a significant advance toward using CNS copper as a disease biomarker, and for monitoring the safety and efficacy of treatment of disorders of central copper dysfunction.