Motor Neurone Disease (MND)
is due to the degeneration of these motor neurones. Degeneration of the upper motor neurones causes both weakness, stiffness and resistance to movement in the muscles with changes in the reflexes which the doctor can elicit.
History
Motor Neurone Disease (MND) was first described in the 1850’s by French Neurologists. In 1874 Prof Jean-Martin Charcot called it Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), its usual name in the USA. There it is also known as ‘Lou Gehrig’s Disease’ named after a pre-war star of the New York Yankees baseball team. Motor Neurone Disease is the term generally used in Europe. Motor Neurones These are the many millions of nerve fibres which go from the cortex (grey matter) of the brain to the muscles in the trunk and limbs.
There are two groups (1) Upper motor neurones which start with cell bodies in the cortex and pass down through the brain to the spinal cord and connect with the (2) Lower motor neurones which have their cell bodies in the spinal cord and brain stem and then pass out into the periphery forming nerve fibres going to muscle fibres. The strength and smoothness of movement and the bulk of muscles depend on the integrity of these nerve fibres.
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE
is due to the degeneration of these motor neurones. Degeneration of the upper motor neurones causes both weakness, stiffness and resistance to movement in the muscles with changes in the reflexes which the doctor can elicit. Degeneration of the lower motor neurones causes wasting of muscles, weakness, fasciculations (flickering of small groups of muscle fibres occurring spontaneously) and muscle cramps.
Global Awareness is on the 21 June every year and is celebrated world wide.
TREATMENT OF MND
While research is continuing worldwide, there is at present no treatment which will alter the course of the disease or affect its progression in any way. Treatments given are those which help the person with MND to cope with symptoms and disabilities and may involve drugs to reduce stiffness or resistance to movement. RILUTEK is the only licensed drug, which may help to slow the progression. The involvement of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists and the provision of aids at home are all necessary to support the person with MND and the family.
WELL-KNOWN MND PATIENTS
Although he is probably the most widely known MND sufferer this side of the Atlantic there have been surprisingly many well known victims of the disease considering its rarity, only 2 cases per 100,000 people worldwide.
Chairman Mao Tse-Tung,
World War II bomber ace then charity homes founder Group Capt (later Lord) Leonard Cheshire VC
Actor (and father of Sinead) Cyril Cusack
From the art world legendary Australian painter ‘Pro’ Hart and South African art gallery owner Everard Read
Footballers Leeds United and England player/manager Don Revie and Celtic and Scotland star Jimmy Johnstone
Lou Gehrig was followed at the ‘Yankees’ by All American pitcher Jim ‘Catfish’ Hunter
Director General of the BBC Sir Ian Trethowan
Blues musicians Charlie Mingus and ‘Leadbelly’
Boxer Ezzard Charles
Right-to-die activist Diane Pretty.
And last but not least American University professor Morrie Schwartz, immortalised by his pupil Mitch Albom in the delightful ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ which became Jack Lemmon’s last movie. Read the book and rent the DVD.