Motor Neurone Disease

(also Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis)

Description

• Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells (neurons) that control the muscles degenerate and die.
• MND is a slowly progressive disease in that it gets steadily worse over time.
• MND causes increasing disability due to muscular weakness, generally without mental impairment or incontinence.
• Early symptoms are mild and include muscle wasting, muscle weakness, fasciculations (muscle twitching), difficulty swallowing and with speech, muscle cramps and spasms.
• In some cases symptoms are widespread from the start but in most instances the disease starts in a localised fashion becoming more generalised as it progresses.
• There are different types of MND and symptoms vary from person to person. Patterns of weakness, the rate and pattern of progression and survival time are also variable.
• There is no single test for MND which makes diagnosis difficult.
• Because of this diagnosis may take some time.
• Diagnosis can be assisted through a range of tests, some which eliminate other conditions eg; nerve conduction tests.
• The causes of MND are not yet known but this is the subject of on-going worldwide research.
• Most cases occur spontaneously though some are hereditary (about 10%).
• MND is uncommon but not rare. Recent statistics estimate there are approximately 1,200 people in Australia currently diagnosed with MND and about 400 new diagnoses each year.
  The average age of onset is 50.

Treatment

There are a range of treatments for MND aimed at reducing the symptoms and improving the quality of life for people with the condition.
A person with MND will usually require assistance from a number of health care professionals including a GP, neurologist, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, speech pathologist, psychologist, home care nurse and social worker.
Treatment requires an integrated, multidisciplinary approach.
Most patients with MND experience little or no pain.

Prognosis

There is neither cure nor prevention for MND at this time but worldwide research is providing encouraging results.
In most cases intellect and memory are not affected by MND, nor are the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and sensation.

Further Information and Support

Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia Inc, The Old Gladesville Hospital, Victoria Rd, Gladesville NSW 1675 Phone: + 61 2 9816 5322 Fax: +61 2 9816 2077 Mobile/Cell Phone: 0408 461 932  www.mndaust.asn.au  Email: info@mndaust.asn.au
Motor Neurone Disease Association of NSW, Building 4, Old Gladesville Hospital, Gladesville NSW 2111. Telephone: (02) 8877 0999 Fax: (02) 9816 2077 Freecall: 1800 777 175. http://www.mndnsw.asn.au/  Email: admin@mndnsw.asn.au
Motor Neurone Disease Association of QLD, P O Box 259, Corinda Qld 4075.  Telephone: (07) 3372 9004    Fax: (07) 3278 9871 Freecall: 1800 777 175. http://www.mndaq.asn.au/ Email: mndaq@tpg.com.au
Motor Neurone Disease Association of SA, 23a King William Road, (PO Box 359) Unley SA 5061.  Telephone: (08) 8357 0245  Fax: (08) 8357 0265 Freecall: 1800 777 175 http://www.mndasa.com.au/  Email: admin@mndasa.com.au
Motor Neurone Disease Association of TAS, PO Box 379, Sandy Bay TAS 7006. Freecall: 1800 777 175 or 1800 806 632  http://www.mndatas.asn.au/  Email: info@mndatas.asn.au
Motor Neurone Disease Association of VIC,  265 Canterbury Rd, (PO Box 23) Canterbury Vic 3126 Telephone: (03) 9830 2122   Fax: (03) 9830 2228  Freecall: 1800 806 632  Internet: http://www.mnd.asn.au/  Email: info@mnd.asn.au
Motor Neurone Disease Association of WA, Centre for Neurological Support -The Niche, B/11 Aberdare Rd, Nedlands WA 6009. Telephone: (08) 9346 7355  Fax: (08) 9346 7332  Freecall: 1800 777 175  http://www.mndawa.asn.au  Email: admin@mndawa.asn.au

Motor Neurone Disease Research Institute of Australia Inc, PO Box 23, Canterbury VIC 3126. Phone (03) 9830 2122, fax (03) 9830 2228. E-mail mndria@vicnet.net.au
British Brain and Spine Foundation www.bbsf.org.uk

Reviewed by Dr Dominic Rowe, PhD FRACP, Department of Neurology, Royal North Shore Hospital, Australia