Disorders

Disorders

Motor Neurone Disease

MND

(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 over 2,000 people in Australia currently diagnosed with MND and every day 2 Australians are diagnosed with MND.
  • 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

In 2022 Dr Adekunle Bademosi was the recipient of Brain Foundation grant funding for research into Motor Neurone Disease – click for more.

In 2022 Dr Frederick Steyn was the recipient of Brain Foundation grant funding for research into Motor Neurone Disease – click for more.

In 2019 Dr Rebecca San Gil was the recipient of Brain Foundation grant funding for research into Motor Neurone Disease – click for more.

In 2018 Dr Rabia Islam was the recipient of Brain Foundation grant funding for research into Motor Neurone Disease – click for more.

Click here for the latest Australian research papers on Motor Neurone Disease.

Researcher Essays

Read more at Virtual Medical Centre

 

MND Connect

Information and resources for health professionals and disability and aged care providers who support and care for people living with motor neurone disease.

For health professionals & service providers | MND Australia

MND AUSTRALIA
Postal address:
PO Box 117
Deakin West ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA
Street address:
Unit 6, 2 Phipps Close
Deakin ACT 2600 AUSTRALIA
Tel: (MND Australia) +61 2 8287 4980
Tel: (MND Research Australia) +61 2 8287 4989
MND Australia | MND Australia
info@mndaustralia.org.au

MND New South Wales
Gladesville Hospital
Victoria Road,
Gladesville NSW 2111
(Locked Bag 5005, Gladesville NSW 1675)
Ph: 02 8877 0999
Freecall: 1800 777 175
Fax: 02 9816 2077
mndnsw.org.au
infoline@mndnsw.org.au

MND Queensland
PO Box 470
Inala East Qld 4077
Ph: 07 3372 9004
Freecall: 1800 777 175
Fax: 07 3278 9871
mndaq.org.au
info@mndaq.org.au

MND South Australia
66 Hughes St, Mile End SA 5031
Ph: 08.8234 8448
Fax 08 8351 9524
Freecall: 1800 777 175
mndsa.org.au
admin@mndsa.org.au

MND Tasmania
PO Box 379
Sandy Bay TAS 7006
Freecall: 1800 806 632
mndatas.asn.au
info@mndatas.asn.au

MND Victoria
265 Canterbury Road
(PO Box 23)
Canterbury Vic 3126
Ph: 03 9830 2122
Freecall: 1800 806 632
Fax: 03 9830 2228
MND Victoria – Home
info@mnd.org.au

MND Western Australia
Unit 1/184 Raleigh Street
Carlisle WA 6101
Ph: 08 6186 4133
Freecall: 1800 777 175
Fax: 08 6457 7332
mndawa.asn.au
admin@mndawa.asn.au

ACT and Northern Territory 
Locked Bag 5005,
Gladesville NSW 1675
Ph: 02 8877 0999
Freecall: 1800 777 175
Fax: 02 9816 2077
mndnsw.org.au
infoline@mndnsw.org.au

MND Research Australia
Research | MND Australia
research@mndaustralia.org.au

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

DISCLAIMER: The information provided is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient / site visitor and his / her existing health care professionals.

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