Motor Neuron Diseases (MNDs)

Motor Neuron Disease Latest News

Scientists recently developed a breakthrough therapy that clears toxic proteins from nerve cells—a discovery that could transform the treatment of motor neuron disease (MND).

About Motor Neuron Disease

• It is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system.
• This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting.
• MND is also called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Lou Gehrig’s disease.

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Motor Neuron Disease Cause

• MND happens when specialist nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, called motor neurones, stop working properly and die prematurely. This is known as neurodegeneration.
• Motor neurons instruct the muscles to move by passing on signals from the brain. 
• They play a role in both conscious and automatic movements, such as swallowing and breathing.
• As MND progresses, it can become more difficult to do some or all of these activities.
• Messages can no longer travel between your brain and muscles. This causes your muscles to become weaker and weaker. This eventually causes paralysis.
• Generally, MND is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic factors.
• 20% of cases are linked to genetic causes. Half of genetic cases will be in people who have a family history of MND. 
• Adults of any age can get motor neurone disease (MND), but it usually affects people over the age of 50.

Motor Neuron Disease Symptoms

• The symptoms of MND start gradually over weeks and months.
• They tend to appear on one side of the body first and get progressively worse.
• MND often begins with weakness of the muscles in the hands, feet, or voice, although it can start in different areas of the body and progress in different patterns and at different rates.
• People with MND become increasingly disabled.
• Average life expectancy after diagnosis is one to five years, with 10 percent of people with MND living 10 years or more.

Motor Neuron Disease Treatment

There’s no cure for MND, but treatment can help reduce the impact the symptoms have on your life.

Source: MED