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MND affects nerves located in the cerebrum and spine, which tell your muscle tissue how to function.

This leads them to lose strength and become rigid over time and usually affects your walking, talk, eat and breathe.

This is a relatively rare condition that is most frequent in people over 50, but grown-ups of any age can be impacted.

An individual's chance in their life of developing MND is 1 out of 300.

About 5,000 adults in the UK are living with the condition at any one time.

Scientists are not sure the cause of MND, but it is probable to be a combination of the genetic material - or inherited characteristics - you inherit from your mother and father when you are delivered, and other lifestyle factors.

In as many as one in 10 people with MND, specific genes play a much larger role.

Typically there is a family history of the disease in such instances.

Identifying the Early Symptoms of the Condition?

MND impacts each person uniquely.

Not everyone has the identical signs, or experiences them in the same order.

The condition can advance at varying rates too.

Among the most frequent indicators are:

• muscle weakness and cramps
• rigid articulations
• difficulties in how you speak
• issues with swallowing, eating and drinking
• weakened coughing

Is There a Cure?

No cure, but there is hope coming from treatments focused on various types of MND.

MND is not a single illness - it is really several that culminate in the death of motor neurones.

A new drug called tofersen works in only one in 50 patients, however it has been shown to decelerate - and in some cases even undo - some of the symptoms of MND.

It has been referred to as "absolutely groundbreaking" and a "significant point of optimism" for the whole disease.

Although the drug has recently received approval in the EU, it is not yet available in the UK.

There is only one pharmaceutical presently approved for the treatment of MND in the UK and approved by the NHS.

Riluzole may slow down the advancement of the disease and prolong life by a few months, but it cannot repair damage.

What is Survival Rate for MND?

Some people can survive for decades with MND, including renowned scientist Stephen Hawking, who was identified at the twenty-two years old and survived until 76.

But for the majority, the disease advances rapidly and survival time is only several years.

According to the charity MND Association, the disease claims the lives of a third of people within a year and over 50% within 24 months of identification.

As the nerve cells cease functioning, ingestion and breathing become increasingly difficult and many people need nutritional support or breathing apparatus to help them remain living.

Do Sports Professionals At Greater Risk to Receive a Diagnosis?

The precise reason has not been identified, but elite athletes seem overrepresented by MND.

Two studies from 2005 and 2009 indicated that professional footballers have an increased risk of contracting MND.

Research from 2022 by the Glasgow University including four hundred former Scotland rugby union players determined they had an higher likelihood of developing the disease.

Researchers additionally discovered that rugby athletes who have suffered multiple concussions have biological differences that may make them more prone to contracting MND.

The MND Association recognizes there is a "correlation" between collision sports and MND.

It noted that while the athletes researched were had a greater chance to acquire MND, it did not prove the athletic activities directly caused the disease.

The organization also stresses that "reported MND instances in these studies is remains quite small, and so concluding there is a definite increased risk could be misunderstood if this is simply a cluster due to statistical coincidence".

Several high-profile athletes have been diagnosed with the condition in the past few years.

These include former rugby union players, footballers, and cricket athletes.

In the United States, MLB athlete Lou Gehrig died from the condition aged 39.