Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of closely related diseases affecting the motor neurones, which are the nerves controlling muscles.

Upper motor neurones go from the brain to the spinal cord and lower motor neurones go from the spinal cord to the muscles.

Degeneration of motor neurones result in progressive weakness; also muscle wasting occurs as the muscles have lost their nerve supply.

The disease usually presents in one of three ways, depending on which motor neurones are predominantly affected and as the disease progresses, symptoms may overlap.

Who Gets MND?

Precise figures for the incidence of the disease are still uncertain although estimates are around 2 per 100,000 in any one year.

The prevalence (number of people with MND at any one time) is 5-10 people per 100,000.

In a small proportion of cases (about 5%) there is a familial pattern in which members of the family through several generations are affected. Genes involved in some cases of familial MND were recently discovered. Most cases of MND are however "sporadic" and do not appear to have a hereditary element.

How is MND Diagnosed?

No specific test is available and it may be difficult to diagnose in the early stages as it can be confused with other conditions

The neurologist (who usually makes the diagnosis) may carry out a number of specialised tests such as an EMG (which measures the electrical activity in a muscle) or a muscle biopsy (examining a small sample of muscle under a microscope) as well as giving the patient a thorough physical examination in order to confirm the diagnosis.

What Causes MND?

MND is not contagious and the cause is not yet known, but a great deal of research work is being carried out.

Encouraging advances are being made in understanding both the disease process and the way motor neurones function. Research is being undertaken in many scientific fields including genetics, epidemiology, metabolic and cellular biology and biochemistry.

In SA there is also considerable research in the neuro-sciences and SA is part of a national programme using donated brain tissue for micro-biological research.

In some countries, MND is known as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis - ALS. In the USA, it is more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, one of America's greatest baseball players who died from MND at age 38.

Please view the MND fact sheets for more extensive information.