Motor neurone disease is an incurable, progressive deterioration of the nerves in the brain and spinal cord controlling muscles and movement (motor neurones).^1,2

Functional impairment can lead to loss of activities such as gripping, walking, speech, swallowing and breathing. In time, issues such as drooling, lung infections from food or drink aspiration, and cognitive changes can develop, with increasing body paralysis and significant shortness of breath in the later stages. As MND is life-limiting, treatment and support aims to maximise quality of life.^1,3

The condition can occur at different parts of the neuronal pathways controlling movement, within the brain (upper motor neurones) and from the brain into the brainstem and spinal cord (lower motor neurones).^4,5

MND subtype classification reflects which nerves are affected and which symptoms appear first. There are several main subtypes, but early symptoms can alter and overlap so the diagnosis may change from one form to another.^2,3,4,5,6

The term motor neurone disease or MND is used in the UK to cover all forms of the disease. In North America, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS, the most common type of MND, is used as the umbrella term. This is also sometimes called Lou Gehrig’s disease, after the US baseball player diagnosed with the disease in 1939.^2,7,8