Inherited MND affects up to 1 in 10 people with MND and means they probably have a family history of the disease. Where this is the case, it is impossible to predict when or if a family history means MND will happen. Other triggers may still be needed for the disease to begin.
Motor neurone disease is an uncommon condition that mainly affects people in their 60s and 70s, but it can affect adults of all ages. It's caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones. These cells gradually stop working over time.
A small proportion (5-10%) of people with motor neurone disease (MND) have a family history of the disease. This form of MND is known as familial, or inherited, MND.
The causes of MND are unknown, but worldwide research includes studies on: exposure to viruses. exposure to certain toxins and chemicals. genetic factors. inflammation and damage to neurons caused by an immune system response.
Most people with MND have the sporadic form and so it is not a genetic or inherited form of the condition and so will not be passed on in families. The inherited form of MND can be passed on in future generations and so can affect multiple family members over time.
Inherited MND affects up to 1 in 10 people with MND and means they probably have a family history of the disease. Where this is the case, it is impossible to predict when or if a family history means MND will happen. Other triggers may still be needed for the disease to begin.
Nutrients. There is some evidence that motor neurones become more likely to develop MND because of a lack of nutrients. One form of such nutrients is a group of chemicals called 'neurotrophic factors' (meaning 'nerve nourishing factors').
There is strong evidence that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathogenesis of motor neurone disease (MND).
Lifestyle causes
Certain dietary factors, such as higher intake of antioxidants and vitamin E, have been shown, at least in some studies, to decrease the risk of MND. Interestingly, increased physical fitness and lower body mass index (BMI) have been shown to be associated with a higher risk of MND.
The onset of symptoms varies but most commonly the disease is first recognized between 20 and 40 years of age. Generally, the disease progresses very slowly. Early symptoms may include: Tremor of outstretched hands.
Genetic testing for motor neurone disease (MND) is usually restricted to people living with MND who have family members also affected by MND, or those living with MND who do not have a family history but are under the age of 40.
MND is not a common disease. It affects adults and sometimes younger adults. You are likely to be more than 40 years old at diagnosis, and most people with MND are aged between 50 and 70. Men are affected almost twice as often as women, but this varies.
Symptoms. The different types of MND cause similar symptoms and have three stages: early, middle, and advanced. The diseases progress at different speeds and vary in severity.
It is well known that more men are diagnosed with MND than women. It is not altogether clear exactly why this is the case and what different biology might be driving this. Perhaps this needs to be considered when researching MND.
The symptoms of MND start gradually over weeks and months. They tend to appear on one side of the body first and get progressively worse.
The research from the University of Sheffield, published in the journal EBioMedicine, suggests a causal relationship between exercise and MND, with high intensity physical activity likely to contribute to motor neurone injury in people who have a predisposing genetic profile.
Intense physical activities and MND
For example, repetitive head injuries from contact sports (e.g. professional soccer or football) may increase the risk of developing neurodegenerative issues, including dementia, Alzheimer's disease and MND.
Researchers have hypothesized that vigorous physical activity might increase exposure to environmental toxins, facilitate the transport of toxins to the brain, increase the absorption of toxins, or increase the athlete''''s susceptibility to motor neuron disease through added physical stress.
A cure for the genetic forms of MND is close, probably 3 years away, and we are hoping for a cure for the sporadic form (90% of patients) within the decade.”
There is a 1 in 300 risk of getting MND across a lifetime. It can affect adults of any age, but is more likely to affect people over 50.
A person with MND will usually die between two to three years after diagnosis, but this can vary from person to person.
Living With a Motor Neuron Disease
Some are milder and progress more slowly than others. Although there is no cure for motor neuron diseases, medicines and therapy can ease symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Understanding Multiple Sclerosis and Motor Neuron Disease
These muscles are responsible for performing movements under one's will and thus, motor neuron diseases affect one's ability to perform voluntary movements. Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the central nervous system.