MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
Motor Neurone Disease
(MND) is the name given to a group of related diseases affecting
the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. Motor neurones
are those nerve cells that control muscles, and their degeneration
leads to weakness and wasting of muscles. Such wasting generally
occurs in arms or legs initially, some groups of muscles
being affected more than others.
Some people with a particular type of MND may develop weakness
and wasting in the muscles supplying the throat with consequent
speech problems and difficulty chewing and swallowing.
MND does not affect touch, taste, sight, smell or hearing.
In the vast majority of cases the intellect remains unaffected.
Its cause remains unknown and there is at the moment, no
cure.
MND is generally a steadily progressive disease over a
period of time, but the rate of progression varies greatly
from one person to another.
Approximately one in 50,000 will develop MND in any one
year, with over 5,000 people with MND in the UK at any one
time. It is an illness of adulthood generally affecting
people over the age of 50.
Information Courtesy of Motor Neurone Disease Association
PO Box 246
Northampton NN1 2PR
Tel: 01604 250505
Fax: 01604 638289
Helpline: 08457 626262
Email: enquiries@mndassociation.org
For Further information visit the website:
www.mndassociation.org
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