Invest in
better answers.
Better diagnosis, more effective treatment and lasting progress depend on research shaped by the needs of people living with trigeminal neuralgia. We want researchers and funders to focus on the questions patients most need answered.
FUNDING PRIORITIES
Funding research that
answers real questions.
Funding proposals should begin with clear questions about diagnosis, effective treatment and everyday life. Patient experience can help set priorities, while independent scientific assessment determines how the research should be carried out.
Discover our prioritiesTHE CASE FOR RESEARCH
The research questions worth funding.
Trigeminal neuralgia can disrupt work, eating, sleep and family life. Existing treatments do not provide lasting relief for everyone. Independent research can help identify where care and evidence need to improve.
Earlier diagnosis
Investigating earlier recognition, clearer referral pathways and the reasons for avoidable delays.
Explore diagnosis research 02Better treatment evidence
Comparing treatment benefits, risks and longer-term results for people who respond differently.
Explore treatment evidence 03Patient-centred outcomes
Including outcomes important to patients, such as pain, eating, sleep, work and quality of life.
See patient evidence 04The longer-term future
Studying disease mechanisms and longer-term approaches, while acknowledging that prevention and cures remain research ambitions.
Explore the sciencePROPOSALS FOR RESPONSIBLE INVESTMENT
Three questions worth scoping properly.
A fundable project needs more than an ambition. These are potential research briefs that TNA UK would like to explore with appropriately qualified investigators and funders. They are concepts, not approved, commissioned or funded studies.
01. Shorten the path to a correct diagnosis
Question: Where do people lose time between first facial-pain symptoms, dental consultation, GP assessment and specialist referral?
Potential first output: A patient-informed question-and-feasibility brief, including care-pathway questions for clinical and dental researchers to test.
02. Measure treatment benefit alongside treatment burden
Question: Which outcomes matter most to people balancing pain relief, adverse effects, repeated interventions and return to everyday activities?
Potential first output: A co-designed list of patient-important outcomes for consideration in future clinical studies, subject to methodological review.
03. Understand the needs that persist between appointments
Question: What can researchers learn about severe flare-ups, changing symptoms, work, sleep, nutrition and longer-term quality of life?
Potential first output: A prioritised research-question and feasibility brief, with privacy, consent and clinical safeguards specified before any new data collection.
Before work begins: A clinical or academic lead, appropriate scientific and ethical review, an agreed budget, patient involvement, data-governance arrangements and charity approval would be required as applicable. We will not promise a clinical result, participant access or a cure.
Discuss a clearly defined research proposal →WAYS TO SUPPORT
How supporters can make a difference.
Individuals, charitable trusts, philanthropic donors and responsible commercial organisations may all have a role in helping make trigeminal neuralgia research a greater priority.
Individual donations
Support TNA UK’s patient services and evidence work through its established donation arrangements.
Make a donation 02Charitable trusts and foundations
Discuss a grant with defined aims, expected public benefit, patient involvement, costs and reporting.
Discuss grant funding 03Philanthropic support
Discuss significant gifts and possible future priorities, with terms agreed in advance.
Discuss philanthropy 04Responsible industry support
Explore transparent collaboration that safeguards the charity’s independence.
Explore industry partnershipsTRUST AND ACCOUNTABILITY
From enquiry to accountability.
Any proposal to fund a specific project or restrict a donation for research must be reviewed and agreed through TNA UK’s applicable governance and approval processes.
Research priorities must be considered with patient benefit, scientific credibility, transparency and independence in mind. Funding enquiries do not imply that a project has been approved or that money is already available.
General donations support TNA UK’s charitable work. Anyone wishing to fund a specific research purpose should discuss the proposed arrangements with the charity before making a restricted gift.
EXPLORE AN OPPORTUNITY
Discuss a research funding proposal.
To discuss a proposal, tell us the research question, the organisation leading the work, the expected patient benefit, indicative costs and the role you would like TNA UK to consider.
TNA UK already has established patient-support networks, patient-experience evidence and experience of helping people engage with externally led research. These are practical foundations for discussing future projects; they are not a claim that a new clinical study is already funded or approved.
Review our Research & Patient Voice evidence, documented Libra study engagement and Medical Advisory Board before discussing a proposal with the charity.
Support progress with purpose.
Help strengthen patient support and the evidence needed for better diagnosis and treatment. Research-specific funding proposals can be discussed directly with the charity.