Motor Neurone Disease

What is Motor Neurone Disease?

Motor Neurone Disease is a condition where damage to the nervous system leaves muscles wasted and weak because the muscles have lost their nerve supply.

Motor Neurone Disease is generally a steadily progressive disease, but the rate of progression varies greatly from one person to another.

What are the characteristics of Motor Neurone Disease?

There are two types of motor neurone:

Upper motor neurones, which have long, thin nerve trunks connecting the brain to the spine. Within the spine, they connect with the lower motor neurones.

Lower motor neurones in turn, have nerve trunks connecting to the muscles of the body.

In Motor Neurone Disease the cells responsible for transmitting the chemical messages that enable muscle movements become injured and subsequently die over time. This causes muscle weakness and wasting to develop.

The symptoms are usually first apparent in the arms or legs. Initially, they tend to be mild and can include stumbling and difficulty holding objects.
Weakness and wasting in the muscles supplying the face and throat can also lead to problems with speech and difficulty chewing and swallowing.
In the advanced stages of the disease, a patient may become almost totally immobile. The rate of progression of the disease, however, varies enormously from person to person.


Is there a treatment to arrest the progression of Motor Neurone Disease?

No-one yet knows the cause of Motor Neurone Disease and so there is no specific treatment capable of reversing the disease. However, treatment can slow down the progression of the disease and occupational therapy and physiotherapy can help to overcome difficulties.

Are there any useful teaching and learning strategies for people with this physical disability?

For information on teaching and learning strategies, click here


Where can I find out more information?

Central Remedial Clinic
Vernon Avenue
Clontarf
Dublin 3
Tel: 01-833 2206
E-mail: tdcrc@crc.ie∞
Website: http://www.crc.ie∞


Centre for Independent Living (Dublin)
Carmichael House
North Brunswick Street
Dublin 7
Tel: 01-873 0986
Email: info@dublincil.org∞
Website: http://www.dublincil.org∞


Enable Ireland National Services
32F Rosemount Park Drive, Rosemount Business Park,
Ballycoolin Road
Dublin 11
Tel: + 353 (0)1 872 7155
Fax: + 353 (0)1 866 5222
Email: communications@enableireland.ie∞
Website: http://www.enableireland.ie∞

Motor Neurone Disease Association (covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
PO Box 246
Northampton NN1 2PR
England
Tel: 01604 250505
Fax: 01604 638289/624726
Helpline: 08457 626262
Email: enquiries@mndassociation.org∞
Web: http://www.mndassociation.org∞



The Irish Wheelchair Association
National Headquarters
Áras Chúchulainn
Blackheath Drive
Clontarf
Dublin 3
Tel: 01 8186 400
Fax: 01 8333 873
Email: info@iwa.ie∞
Web: http://www.iwa.ie∞


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