What is Motor neuron diseases (MND)
- Motor neuron diseases (MND) are a group of degenerative disorders affecting the motor neurons of spinal cord, brainstem and motor cortex.
- The condition is progressive and has a fatal outcome.
- The commonest subtype of MND is amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), affecting the anterior horn cells and cortico-spinal tract and presenting as muscular weakness in combination with upper motor neuron signs.
- MND has a male to female ration of 4:1 and age of onset is 45-60yrs.
Causes of Motor Neuron Diseases (MND)
Etiology
- Genetic factor accounts for only a small percentage of cases.
- Cycasin, a toxin found in cycad nut, has been implicated as causative factor for ALS.
- {There is a geographic cluster of the disorder among the Chamorro of Guam, the habitants of the Ki peninsula of Japan and New Guinea.Incidence of ALS in Guam has markedly decreased with the elimination of cycad nut from diet of Chamorro}.
- Lead, tin and mercury may cause direct neuronal degeneration and an ALS-type syndrome.
- MND in some patients may be non metastatic manifestation of malignancy.
Pathology
- The main pathology is the loss of anterior horn cells of spinal cord and cranial motor nuclei of lower brainstem.
- The remaining cells are shrunken.
- Pyramidal tracts show degenerative changes.
Symptoms of Motor neuron diseases (MND)
- Clinical picture and progression of disease is variable.
- It can be rapid and may result in death within a year of onset or may be slow progression.
- Cramps are early symptom.
- Usual history is clumsiness of one hand for skilled activity and later for gross activity.
- Later on, the opposite hand is involved.
- Overtime there is wasting of small muscles of hand, flaccidity, loss of tendon reflexes.
- Fascinations are widespread.
- The lower limbs manifest with difficult in walking with spastic gait.
- Ankle and knee jerks are grossly exaggerated.
- Bilateral extensor response is seen.
- Characteristically abdominal reflexes are preserved till late.
- Progressive palsy involves cranial nerve nuclei causing symptom like difficulty in swallowing, nasal regurgitation, speech is progressively affected.
- There is a nasal twang to speech. Tongue shows atrophy and fasciculation (involuntary muscle contractions).
- Upper motor neuron involvement results in pseudo-bulbar palsy with spasticity (muscles are stiff) of muscles of face, jaw, tongue and palate with exaggerated jaw jerks, pouting reflex and palatal reflexes.
- Sensory loss is limited to subjective sensations like numbness, cramps and neuralgic pain. There is no loss of sphincter control.
- Bedsores do not occur in spite of prolonged confinement to bed, a strange feature of the disease which has not been explained.
Treatment of Motor Neuron Diseases (MND)
There is no established drug treatment.
- Related Topics
- Lower Motor Neuron Disease, Hypoparathyroidism Symptoms, Causes
- Neuron Structure: Neuron Building Block of Nervous System
- Tics Syndrome Causes, Symptoms, Treatment | Motor Complex Tics
- Nutrient Deficiency: Symptoms of Nutritional Deficiencies Diseases
- Symptoms of Venereal Diseases and Home remedies
My Father has been diagnosed with this MND. Would like to know if there are any alternative medicines or therapy that can work on MND. How do I find a good NEUROTHERAPIST?
MY friend, male aged 50 could not walk at all using both his legs. He is diagnosis as “Viral Myelitus” MND Grade 4 power in both lower limbs”, Please can you explain me what do you mean by that and what are the remedies over it.
Viral myelities is due to post viral infection. The symptoms are of sudden onset; in some cases it may be slow and progressive. As there is no specific cure for the disease the patient is treated symptomatically.
Improve his immune level by giving healthy and nutritious diet comprising vegetables and fruits, cereals which contain vitamins and minerals. Try to give him all organically grown vegetables and fruit as they are more beneficial for his immunity. Grade 4 power is a medical sign useful for doctors in assessing the disease condition.
HI, my mother is diagnosed MND-ALS, She has more fasciculation in her tongue then her upper and lower limb. She feels difficulty in swallowing solid foods. But Other than that she can do all the routine household work. Doctors have already told me regarding the progressive nature of the diseases.
Is there is any therapy, any drug which can help?
For MND you should go and try neuro-therapy treatment. It’s effective. It’s basically a treatment of nerves through which we can cure internal problems, and in the course of time the degenerated muscles also can regenerated. The main thing is you should have faith, only then it works. I am myself a NEUROTHERAPIST. I have seen patients of MND cured.
Hi! KC,
Can you please tell me about the homeopathic doctor whom you are referring to. My father has MND disease and i have done CHARAKA treatment for him but not of much help would like to try for homeopathic as well. Kindly get me the address so I can check if that helps.
My Aunt has also been diagnosed with this disease. We are consulting a homeopathic doctor for the same. We have heard that he has been successful in stopping the progression of the motor neuron disease in some cases.
Reagan,
MND(ALS) is something which is very typical than any other common disease like diabetes/Asthma. And it is dangerous too. There is no specified medication for this till now.
Please take your uncle to some hospital, where they can provide some treatment/Medicines which can prolong his(uncle’s) days to stay.
My uncle is suffering from MND. Is there any good medicine to use to keep him healthy. I heard MND has no cure so is there any guarantee as long as he lives. Is this decease is like Diabetes, Asthma or something like that is incurable but have a regular life using medicine to live healthy. Can you please suggest some good diet or natural home remedies to keep him healthy and the food that can have a positive effect on his body and his illness.
My father had this MND and died last year, I gave him lots of treatments but no effect, but in ayurvedic there are some medicines that may slow down the effects of MND. You should enquire in ayurvedic medicines.