Many former rugby players are being diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease (MND) because research shows a correlation, though not a definitive cause, between contact sports, head trauma (concussions), and an increased risk, possibly due to genetic factors and strenuous activity interacting with head impacts, though more research is needed to establish a direct link. Studies suggest players have higher risks, but it's unclear if it's the sport itself, genetics, or a combination, with experts urging caution against declaring a direct cause.
Researchers at Durham University also found rugby players who have suffered multiple concussions have biological differences that may make them more prone to developing MND. The MND Association acknowledges there is a "correlation" between contact sports and MND.
It's not clear why this happens, but for most people it's thought that a combination of certain genes and other factors are involved. About 1 in 10 people with MND have a family history of the condition. But if someone in your family has MND it does not necessarily mean you will also get it.
On December 19, 2019, Rob announced he had been diagnosed with MND having first noticed problems with his speech during an awards ceremony.
Traumatic brain injury linked to higher short-term risk of MND, UK-wide study finds. A new UK-wide study has found that people who experience a traumatic brain injury may face a higher short-term risk of developing MND.
Several meta-analyses have underscored the correlation between MND and stress caused by trauma, particularly head trauma. However, a clear causal relationship between the two has not been definitively established [ 28 , 29 ]. Thus far, it can be confirmed that stress significantly affects the prevalence of MND.
While studies carried out to date suggest a correlation between these professional sports and MND they do not demonstrate causation – so they recognise that professional footballers and rugby players are more likely to develop MND but they don't suggest that playing football professionally, or any particular aspect of ...
Professor Hawking supplements his diet with daily mineral and vitamin tablets, and zinc, cod liver oil capsules, folic acid, vitamin B complex, vitamin B-12, vitamin C and vitamin E are said to have been particularly helpful.
MND (Motor Neurone Disease) life expectancy averages around 2 to 3 years post-diagnosis, but varies significantly; some people live for decades, while others progress more rapidly, with respiratory failure being the primary cause of death. Life expectancy depends on the specific MND type (like slower-progressing PLS or faster PBP) and individual factors, but supportive care helps manage symptoms and improve quality of life.
The first signs of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) often involve muscle weakness, leading to stumbling, a weak grip, or difficulty lifting objects, but can also start with speech/swallowing issues (slurring, choking) or muscle twitching (fasciculations) and cramps. These symptoms are usually mild and painless initially, varying by where the motor neurons are first affected, but often include fatigue and affect limbs or speech/swallowing muscles.
Results: The average number of MND deaths documented during the COVID-19 years was 8009, up from 7485 MND deaths pre-COVID. The age-adjusted mortality rate among the non-Hispanic population increased during COVID to 2.78 per 100,000 persons (95% CI = 2.73-2.82) from 1.81 (95% CI = 1.78-1.84).
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.
People with MND experience rapid progression of the disease, and although the speed of progression varies for each person, there are no periods of remission or relapses. MS, however, progresses more slowly than MND, and progression also varies from person to person.
The evidence gained in these studies has often been conflicting and clear conclusions cannot be given. With these limits, it is not yet possible to provide guidance on how to reduce the risk of developing MND. However, research into these factors is progressing.
The Rugby League 40/20 rule rewards a team with a scrum (or tap restart) in a great attacking position if they kick the ball from behind their own 40-meter line, it bounces in the field of play, and goes into touch (out of bounds) inside the opponent's 20-meter line. This rule was designed to increase attacking opportunities, force wingers to defend deeper, and speed up play by giving attacking teams a significant advantage from a well-executed kick, preventing time-wasting restarts.
Former male high-level rugby players in New Zealand have a 22 percent increased risk of developing Alzheimer's and other dementias later in life compared to men in the general population, according to new research from the University of Auckland.
The exact cause of Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is unknown, but it's believed to result from a complex mix of genetic predisposition, environmental factors (like toxins or intense exercise), and lifestyle influences, with most cases being sporadic (no known cause) and only 5-10% being familial (inherited). Researchers are exploring potential triggers such as genetic mutations (like C9orf72, SOD1), heavy metals, pesticides, viruses, and issues with cellular waste disposal or nerve signaling.
So far, there are only few cases reported with spontaneous remission of motor neuron disease; however, the possibility should always be considered.
He died in 2018 at the age of 76, having lived more than 50 years following his diagnosis of motor neurone disease.
Astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, whose ALS was diagnosed in 1963, had the disease for 55 years, the longest recorded time one had the disease. He died at the age of 76 in 2018.
Stephen Hawking's "last warnings" focused on humanity's existential risks, urging us to become a multi-planetary species to survive threats like climate change, asteroids, and rogue artificial intelligence (AI). He warned that unchecked AI could surpass human intelligence, potentially replacing us, and emphasized the need to colonize other planets before Earth becomes uninhabitable due to self-inflicted or natural disasters, as detailed in his posthumous book Brief Answers to the Big Questions.
ALS is a specific type of Motor Neuron Disease, and MND is a broader term encompassing various conditions affecting motor neurons. ALS is the most common form of Motor Neuron Disease, characterized by the degeneration of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and atrophy.
Studies have found possible links with electrical trauma, mechanical trauma, high levels of exercise, exposure to assorted heavy metals and agricultural chemicals, and, yes, concussions and other traumatic brain injuries that occurred while playing sport.
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