Motor Neuron Diseases (MND) Research by Sumon Ghosh (ACNRC)

Motor neuron diseases or motor neuron diseases are a group of rare neurodegenerative disorders that selectively affect motor neurons, the cells which control voluntary muscles of the body. (ACNRC)

Motor neuron disease (MND) is a rare condition that progressively damages parts of the nervous system. This leads to muscle weakness, often with visible wasting. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common form of MND.
What are the first signs of motor neuron disease?

Early symptoms can include:

• weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs.
• slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods.
• a weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons.
• muscle cramps and twitches.

How to diagnose MND?Tests and diagnosis

• blood tests.
• a scan of your brain and spine.
• tests to measure the electrical activity in your muscles and nerves.
• a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) – when a thin needle is used to remove and test the fluid from within your spine.

What causes MND disease?Generally, MND is believed to be caused because of a combination of environmental, lifestyle and genetic factors. Most cases of MND develop without an obvious cause. Around 1 in 10 cases are ‘familial’, meaning the condition is inherited. This is due to a genetic mutation, or an error in the gene.What are the first signs of motor neuron disease?

Are these early signs of MND?

• Muscle twitching (known as fasciculation) …
• Tingling or pins and needles. …
• Numbness in hands, feet or limbs. …
• Fatigue or extreme tiredness. …
• Tripping and one or both legs getting thinner. …
• Dropping things due to weak or stiff hands. …
• Slurred or faint speech. …
• Swallowing difficulties.

The final stages of MND will usually involve gradual weakening of the breathing muscles and increasing sleepiness. This is usually the cause of death, either because of an infection or because the muscles stop working. Specialist palliative care supports quality of life through symptom control.Motor neuron disease:Motor neuron disease (MND) is an uncommon condition that affects the brain and nerves. It causes weakness that gets worse over time.There’s no cure for MND, but there are treatments to help reduce the impact it has on a person’s daily life. Some people live with the condition for many years.MND can significantly shorten life expectancy and, unfortunately, eventually leads to death. A note from Aradhya Clinic & Neuro Research Center (ACNRC) Early symptoms can include:

• weakness in your ankle or leg – you might trip, or find it harder to climb stairs
• slurred speech, which may develop into difficulty swallowing some foods
• a weak grip – you might drop things, or find it hard to open jars or do up buttons
• muscle cramps and twitches
• weight loss – your arms or leg muscles may have become thinner over time
• difficulty stopping yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations

Tests and diagnosisIt can be difficult to diagnose motor neuron disease in the early stages.There’s no single test for it and several conditions cause similar symptoms.To help rule out other conditions, a neurologist may arrange:

• blood tests
• a scan of your brain and spine
• tests to measure the electrical activity in your muscles and nerves
• a lumbar puncture (also called a spinal tap) – when a thin needle is used to remove and test the fluid from within your spine

Treatment and supportThere’s no cure for motor neuron disease, but treatment can help reduce the impact the symptoms have on your life.