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.
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.
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. It's not known why this happens.
Lifestyle and environment
These studies have found possible links between MND and: mechanical and/or electrical trauma. military service. high levels of exercise.
Symptoms of motor neurone disease come on gradually and may not be obvious at first. 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.
In 1 out of 4 cases, the first MND symptoms will affect the muscles used for speaking and swallowing. These problems might initially affect the muscles used for speech and swallowing. Increasingly slurred speech (dysarthria) is usually the first sign of this type of MND. It might be misdiagnosed as a stroke.
Repetitive head injuries resulting in concussion and other issues are also a major problem. In some cases, regularly occurring head injuries from playing sport can lead to cognitive problems, and an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease later in life.
While low levels of exercise were associated with a protective effect, more aggressive exercise was associated with increased risk. However, of these findings, only high cholesterol emerged as a clear modifiable factor that could be targeted to reduce risk of MND.
How many people are affected? MND affects up to 5,000 adults in the UK at any one time. 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.
Many of the people we talked to had been experiencing symptoms for months or even years before finally getting a diagnosis. Some lived with their symptoms for a long time before deciding to go to their GP, perhaps putting them down to stress, old age, or injury. (See 'First symptoms of MND').
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.
A person with MND will usually die between two to three years after diagnosis, but this can vary from person to person.
The mechanism by which illicit drugs cause ALS is not known. It has been speculated that the ALS is due to combined upper & lower motor neurons degeneration and some mechanisms has been suggested [22]. On the other side, neurodegenerative effects of illicit drugs have been proven in many studies.
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.
Frequent strenuous exercise increases the chance of developing MND in genetically at risk individuals. A new study has found frequent strenuous exercise increases the risk of developing motor neurone disease (MND) in certain people.
B Vitamins (Folic Acid, B6, B12)
Individuals with MND have elevated levels of homocysteine, which is involved in the formation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Folic acid and vitamin B12 convert homocysteine into methionine, while vitamin B6 converts it into sulfur amino acids, reducing homocysteine levels.
There is currently no effective therapy or cure for the disease. Patients face a rapidly progressing paralysis that spreads around the body. This robs them of the ability to walk, eat, talk and eventually breathe. Around half of those diagnosed with MND will die within two years.
Conclusions. This study adds to the evidence that repeated head injury with concussion, playing sports in general, and playing football (soccer) in particular, are associated with an increased risk of MND.
Past research suggested that motor neurone disease (MND) only affected the nerve cells (neurons) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow. However, more recent research has found that over 50% of people with MND can experience reduced abilities in thinking and behaviour.
However, blood tests might be performed to look for evidence of damage to the muscle (called CK, or creatine kinase), to look for causes of inflammation in the spinal cord (such as vitamin B12 levels) or to look for supportive evidence of damage to the motor nerves (such as anti-ganglioside antibodies).
Is MND painful? Motor neurones do not transmit or modify pain signals, so the disease itself is not inherently painful. 2 However, pain may be experienced as the disease progresses. Pain may occur at any stage of MND, including early on, with no relationship between pain intensity and length of time since diagnosis.
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.
There is no single diagnostic test for MND. Diagnosis is based on features in the clinical history and examination, usually accompanied by electrophysiological tests, which will include EMG and nerve conduction studies. Other tests may include: MRI scanning of the brain and spinal cord.