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MND impacts nerve cells found in the cerebrum and spine, that instruct your muscle tissue how to function.

This leads them to weaken and become rigid over time and usually affects how you walk, talk, eat and respire.

It is a quite uncommon disease that is most common in people above age fifty, but adults of all ages can be affected.

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

About 5,000 adults in the UK will have the condition at any given moment.

Scientists are uncertain the cause of MND, but it is probable to be a mix of the genes - or biological traits - you get from your parents when you are delivered, and additional lifestyle factors.

For up to 10% of people with MND, particular genetic factors play a much larger role.

Typically there is a hereditary background of the illness in these cases.

What are the Early Symptoms of the Disease?

MND affects everyone differently.

Not everyone has the same symptoms, or encounters them in the same order.

The disease can progress at varying rates too.

Among the most frequent signs are:

• muscle weakness and muscle spasms
• stiff joints
• difficulties in your speech
• complications involving swallowing, eating and drinking
• reduced cough reflex

Is There a Treatment?

No definitive treatment, but there is hope coming from treatments focused on different forms of MND.

MND is not one disease - it is actually several that result in the death of nerve cells.

An innovative medication called tofersen works in just 2% of 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 "real moment of optimism" for the entire condition.

Even though the medication has recently been approved in the EU, it is not yet available in the UK.

There is only one drug currently licensed for the treatment of MND in the UK and endorsed by the NHS.

Riluzole may slow down the progression of the condition and prolong life by several months, but it cannot repair harm.

What is Life Expectancy for MND?

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

But for most, the illness advances rapidly and life expectancy is just a few years.

Based on the charity MND Association, the condition kills a one-third of individuals within a twelve months and more than half within two years of diagnosis.

As the nerve cells cease functioning, swallowing and respiration become more challenging and numerous individuals need nutritional support or breathing apparatus to help them stay alive.

Are Athletes More Likely to Receive a Diagnosis?

The exact cause has not yet been found, but top-level sportspeople seem overrepresented by MND.

Two studies from 2005 and 2009 showed that professional footballers have an elevated chance of developing MND.

Research from 2022 by the University of Glasgow involving four hundred ex- Scotland rugby athletes concluded they had an increased risk of developing the disease.

Researchers additionally discovered that rugby players who have experienced multiple concussions have biological differences that may make them more prone to developing MND.

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

It added that while the athletes studied were more likely to acquire MND, it did not prove the athletic activities directly caused the condition.

The organization also stresses that "reported MND instances in this research is remains quite small, and so determining there is a definite increased risk could be misinterpreted if this is simply a grouping due to statistical coincidence".

Multiple high-profile athletes have been identified with the disease in the past few years.

These include ex- rugby union internationals, footballers, and cricketers.

Across the Atlantic, MLB athlete Lou Gehrig died from the condition aged 39.