Motor Neurone Disease

Motor neurons are a complex system of nerve cells that control the actions of muscles located in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurone disease (MND) is a rare disorder that causes the motor system to progressively degenerate over time. This causes weakness and wasting muscles. It is commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease and normally affects people aged 50 to 70 years.

The exact cause of MND is still under research, though it is thought that working with leather, heavy solvents and pesticides may increase your risk. It is also thought that it can run in a family.

Symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease

MND is a slowly progressing disease with the rate of progression varying from one person to the next. As symptoms progress, in the later stages of the condition, the person may become immobile.

Weakness and wasting of muscles occurs initially which can cause difficulty walking and holding objects. Other symptoms include;

• Tiredness,
• Jerking of the arm or leg when resting, and
• Twitching of the weakened muscles,
• Some people may have weakness and wasting of the muscles of the face and throat, causing difficulty in chewing and swallowing

Treatment of Motor Neurone Disease

There is no cure for this condition. Survival times may vary from two to twenty years, though some people have survived over twenty years.

Vitamin E and the drug Riluzole can slow the progress of the disease enabling individuals to remain in the early stages of the condition.

There is still a lot of research to be done with this condition. Though it is rare, it can be very disheartening to the individual and family member as they slowly watch the coordination and muscles waste away.

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