Motor neuron disease / ALS

Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is a degenerative neurological condition that causes the death of the nerve cells (neurons) that control the muscles in the body. As these nerve cells die off, the body can no longer work these muscles, causing them to weaken and waste away.

• Approximately 1 in 15,000 people have some form of MND.
• Each week, 2 New Zealanders will die from MND.
• Up to 1 in every 300 people will develop MND.
• Those with MND have an average life expectancy of 2.5 years, with 5-10% living for 10 years or more.
• 60% with MND are male, and 40% female.

The most common form of MND is Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease (after the famous American baseball player who suffered from the condition).

MND usually develops in people over the age of 40. Symptoms normally advance rapidly, and patients have an average life expectancy of only 2-3 years from the time of diagnosis.

Signs and symptoms

Early symptoms of MND are mild and often go unnoticed, but the symptoms gradually become worse as the disease takes hold. Early warning signs may include stumbling, due to weakness in the legs, difficulty holding objects, slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, cramps and muscle twitching.

As the disease progresses, symptoms worsen. The disease affects everyone differently, but symptoms are likely to include weakness, reduced mobility, impaired speech and breathing, weight loss, fatigue, cognitive and behavioural changes, and difficulty swallowing.

Causes and treatment

Around 10% of cases of MND are hereditary. In the remaining 90% of MND patients, the cause is not known, but is believed to be a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

Research around the world is making progress in identifying the genetic factors associated with MND and understanding what role environmental factors, such as exposure to toxins or viral infection, might play in increasing the risk of contracting MND.

While there is still no cure for MND, treatment through medication and physical therapy can help to manage symptoms and improve quality of life. With your support, the Neurological Foundation can continue to fund researchers seeking to better understand MND in the hopes of one day being able to slow, prevent or even cure this disease. 

Support organisations

MND New Zealand — mnd.org.nz