Click here to download "Some Facts" in the form of a leaflet (PDF format).

People who receive a diagnosis of any serious illness, and those close to them, are very likely to have feelings of shock, anger and despair. This is especially true when people who are fit, well and active, develop very early signs of motor neurone disease (MND) such as weakness in one hand.

The shock experienced when hearing the diagnosis frequently means that people do not remember very much of what their neurologist has explained to them. The questions they most frequently ask and their answers are:

• What is Motor Neurone Disease?
• What are the symptoms?
• How is MND diagnosed?
• What remains unaffected?
• Is there a cure or treatment for MND?
• What can be done?
• Where can I find further information?

You can click on the links above or just scroll down the page investigating the areas you would like more information on.

Motor neurone disease is the name given to a group of diseases in which the nerve cells - neurones - controlling the muscles that enable us to move around, speak, breathe and swallow, fail to work normally.

Early symptoms are mild, and include stumbling due to weakness of the leg muscles, difficulty holding objects due to weakness of the hand muscles, slurring of speech or swallowing difficulties due to weakness of the tongue and throat muscles.

Many other conditions can mimic motor neurone disease early in the disease. Diagnosis requires an expert neurological opinion and often a series of detailed investigations.

In the majority of cases the intellect and memory are not affected, nor are the senses of sight, hearing, taste, smell and touch. The bowels and bladder are not affected by the disease, although diet and exercise should be carefully monitored.  In the PLS (Primary Lateral Sclerosis) form of MND some people suffer from urinary urgency.

At present there is no cure, but coordinated research is being carried out across the world and encouraging progress is being made.

Support people include family, friends, general practitioners, neurologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, psychologists, dietitians, home care nurses, social workers, palliative care workers, community care services and MND Associations in each state and territory.

Information about hereditary factors, different forms of MND, as well as answers to a range of frequently asked questions, is available from the Motor Neurone Disease Association in your state, or from your neurologist.

Click here to download the above information in the form of a leaflet.