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History
The NHS characterizes motor neurone disease (MND) as a rare condition that impacts both the brain and nervous system, leading to a progressively worsening weakness over time.
This weakness stems from the breakdown of motor neurons. These are categorized into upper motor neurons, which extend from the brain down the spinal cord, and lower motor neurons, which reach out to the facial, throat, and limb areas.
The disease was first identified in 1865 by French neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot, which is why MND is occasionally referred to as Charcot’s disease.
In the United Kingdom, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is commonly known as Motor Neurone Disease, whereas in the United States, ALS is considered a specific type within the broader category of MND, encompassing various neurological disorders.
According to Oxford University Hospitals, nearly 90 percent of individuals with MND exhibit the mixed ALS variant, which is why the terms MND and ALS are often used interchangeably.
Symptoms
Weakness in the ankle or leg, which may manifest itself with trips or difficulty ascending stairs, and a weakness in the ability to grip things.
Slurred speech is an early symptom and may later worsen to include difficulty swallowing food.
Muscle cramps or twitches are also a symptom, as is weight loss due to leg and arm muscles growing thinner over time.
Diagnosis
MND is difficult to diagnose in its early stages because several conditions may cause similar symptoms. There is also no one test used to ascertain its presence.
However, the disease is usually diagnosed through a process of exclusion, whereby diseases that manifest similar symptoms to ALS are excluded.
Treatment
There is no cure for MND and the disease is fatal, however the disease progresses at different speeds in patients.
People with MND are expected to live two to five years after the symptoms first manifest, although 10 per cent of sufferers live at least 10 years.
Causes
The NHS says that MND is an ‘uncommon condition’ that predominantly affects older people. However, it caveats that it can affect adults of any age.
The NHS says that, as of yet, ‘it is not yet known why’ the disease happens. The ALS Association says that MND occurs throughout the world ‘with no racial, ethnic or socioeconomic boundaries and can affect anyone’.
It says that war veterans are twice as likely to develop ALS and that men are 20 per cent more likely to get it.
Lou Gehrig was one of baseball’s preeminent stars while playing for the Yankees between 1923 and 1939. Known as ‘The Iron Horse,’ he played in 2,130 consecutive games before ALS forced him to retire. The record was broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995
Lou Gehrig’s Disease
As well as being known as ALS and Charcot’s disease, MND is frequently referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
Lou Gehrig was a hugely popular baseball player, who played for the New York Yankees between 1923 and 1939.
He was famous for his strength and was nicknamed ‘The Iron Horse’.
His strength, popularity and fame transcended the sport of baseball and the condition adopted the name of the sportsman.
He died two years after his diagnosis.