New autoimmune-focused charity joins the Connect Immune Research partnership

Inflammatory Neuropathies UK (formerly GAIN) has become the 13th member of the Connect Immune Research partnership.

What is the Connect Immune Research partnership?

Established in 2018, Connect Immune Research is a collaborative initiative that aims to understand how immune conditions are linked. Raising awareness of autoimmune conditions, and understanding the similarities between different conditions, could help transform lives faster than working separately.

What are inflammatory neuropathies?

Inflammatory neuropathies such as Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN) are rare autoimmune conditions that impact peripheral nerves. Peripheral nerves act as pathways for carrying signals between the body and the brain and are essential for movement and responding to the environment.

GBS and CIDP are caused when the immune system attacks the insulating layer that surrounds peripheral nerves, causing pain, numbness, weakness and even paralysis. This layer, similar to the protective casing on an electrical wire, allows signals to travel from the peripheral nerves to the brain and spinal cord and back. These signals allow the body to react to environmental cues and move.

MMN is associated with an increase in autoantibodies that target a sugar-containing lipid found in peripheral nerves. Autoantibodies are proteins produced by the immune system and target cells in the body, rather than protecting them. These autoantibodies are thought to trigger the immune system to attack the nerve, leading to asymmetrical weakness of the limbs. This can sometimes lead to twitching and small dimpling of the muscle under the skin (called fasciculations).

Inflammatory Neuropathies UK provides information and support to people impacted by these rare conditions. The charity also funds, facilitates, and carries out research, and raises awareness around these rare and life changing conditions, and advocates on behalf of the Inflammatory Neuropathies community.

Partnering for a better future

Rich Collins, CEO of Inflammatory Neuropathies UK said: “I’m delighted that Inflammatory Neuropathies UK is joining the Connect Immune Research Partnership. It’s important to us to work collaboratively with our peers and with other organisations as part of the ‘research family’ to look for common themes, issues, solutions, and approaches across autoimmune research.

“With 40 years of experience, we hope that Inflammatory Neuropathies UK can add to the partnership and help make progress in improving the lives of people impacted by autoimmune conditions.”

How will Inflammatory Neuropathies UK benefit the partnership?

Rachel Connor, Director of Research Partnerships at Breakthrough T1D UK said: “We are excited to welcome Inflammatory Neuropathies UK as our newest Connect Immune Research member.

“We know that many people live with more than one autoimmune condition, so it makes sense to work together to investigate what these conditions have in common. The more autoimmune conditions we have represented in the Connect Immune Research partnership, the more we can do to ensure that research responds to the needs of everyone affected by autoimmunity.”