Understanding Motor Neurone Disease

Motor neurone disease (MND) is one of the names given to a group of diseases in which the brain’s upper motor neurons fail to work properly.

Other terms for this condition include:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Progressive bulbar palsy (PBP)
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS)
Lou Gehrig’s disease

The upper motor neurons descend to the spinal cord and activate the lower motor neurons in the body. If they fail to control the lower motor neurons, the muscles become weak. As the disease progresses MND impacts on the person’s ability to walk, talk, swallow and breathe.

There is no known cure for MND, nor is there an effective treatment. The average life expectancy after diagnosis is two and a half years.

In Australia MND affects 8.7 per cent of every 100,000 people. Over half of people living with MND are under the age of 65.

Symptoms of Motor Neurone Disease

The symptoms of MND can be broadly categorised into the early symptoms that are experienced at the onset of the disease, and additional symptoms that may develop as the disease progresses.

What are the early symptoms of MND?

Slurring of speech
Swallowing difficulties
Cramps and muscle twitching
Stumbling as leg muscles weaken
Difficulty holding objects as hand muscles weaken

What symptoms may be experienced as MND progresses?

Breathing difficulties
Fatigue
Insomnia
Cognitive changes
Excessive laughing or crying
Some pain or discomfort

Although there is no cure for MND, support is available to help manage symptoms and support the person’s daily living needs.

Medical research is taking place around the world to find causes and a cure for MND, including many projects taking place here in Australia.

Living with Motor Neurone Disease/Whats happens next?

Whether you've been diagnosed with motor neurone disease recently or sometime in the past, MSWA is here to provide you with vital support and services throughout your neurological condition journey. Your wellbeing, safety and comfort is top priority – we offer flexible services via phone or video call, in a safe way in your home and/or in a safe way in our Centres.

The range of services we offer include counselling, dietetics, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, speech pathology, in-home care and social welfare.

Contact us

For more information to see how we can best help you and to contact us, visit our Get Support page.

Alternatively, call us on 1300 097 989 (metropolitan WA) or 1800 287 367 (regional WA).

Additional Resources and Support

Please see below for some resources you may find useful:

Visit the MND Australia website for detailed advice on treatment, prevention and recovery as the peak care, advocacy and research national body for MND.