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Adults of any age can get motor neurone disease (MND), but it usually affects people over the age of 50.
Symptoms you may have at first include:
As MND gets worse, you may:
The symptoms affect everyone differently. You may not get all the symptoms and how quickly they get worse can vary from person to person.
Early symptoms of MND, such as twitches and muscle weakness, can be similar to other, less serious conditions. But it's important to get them checked by a GP.
If a GP thinks you might have motor neurone disease (MND), they may refer you to a brain and nerve specialist (neurologist) for an assessment and some tests.
Tests used to help diagnose MND include:
MND can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages. But as the symptoms get worse it can usually be confirmed.
There are 4 main types of motor neurone disease (MND).
Each type affects different parts of the body, particularly during the early stages of the condition. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the most common type of MND.
| Type | Early symptoms |
|---|---|
|
Type
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) |
Early symptoms
Muscle weakness in the arms and legs that can cause you to trip and drop things |
|
Type
Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) |
Early symptoms
Mainly affects muscles in the face, throat and tongue, causing slurred speech and problems swallowing |
|
Type
Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) |
Early symptoms
Weakness in the hands |
|
Type
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) |
Early symptoms
Weak legs, sometimes with other symptoms including speech problems |
Motor neurone disease (MND) gets worse over several months or years and is usually life-shortening. How quickly this happens varies from one person to another.
MND can affect a person's life in many ways including:
You will need ongoing care and support from a wide range of specialists, such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech and language therapists, to help you with these problems.
As MND gets worse, you will have difficulty moving and you may need a wheelchair. You may also need a machine called a ventilator to help you breathe and assistive technology to help with speech.
How long you can expect to live depends on your symptoms and the type of MND you have. Your care team will be able to speak to you about life expectancy if you want to know more.
There's currently no cure for motor neurone disease (MND). But there are treatments that can ease your symptoms and help you have the best quality of life possible.
The type of treatment you'll be offered will depend on your symptoms and the type of MND you have. You'll probably need different treatments over time.
A team of healthcare professionals will give you the support you need. The team may include a specialist nurse, a brain and nerve specialist (neurologist), a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist.
Treatments you may have include:
You'll also be offered treatment and support for the symptoms of MND. Every person's needs will be different depending on their symptoms.
Support you might need may include:
You should have an appointment with your care team every 2 or 3 months to discuss any changes to your symptoms and needs, and to check how treatment is going.
Motor neurone disease (MND) affects nerves in your brain and spinal cord called motor neurones. Motor neurones tell your muscles what to do.
If you have MND, your motor neurones stop working properly.
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.
Motor neurone disease (MND) can be a difficult condition to live with, both physically and emotionally.
As well as support from your doctor, you may find it helpful to get support from other people with the condition, either at a local support group or online.
Information and support for anyone affected by MND, including family, friends and carers.
Information and support for anyone affected by conditions affecting the brain and nerves, including MND.
