What is MND / ALS?

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is a degeneration of the nervous system which disrupts the communication between the brain and the muscles responsible for enabling us to move, speak, swallow and breathe. There is no cure and is life-limiting. Although it progresses differently for each person, the average life expectancy is 2 – 3 years.

MND goes by a number of names. MND is most common in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and some other countries, however throughout the US, Canada and other parts of the world it is known as ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) or Lou Gehrig’s Disease after the famous baseball player who died of the disease.

Although MND can affect adults of any age, it occurs most often in those over 50 years old. The lifetime risk of developing this disease is 1 in 300 people, and in 90% of diagnoses there is no inherited genetic mutation (i.e sporadic MND).

There are a number of Australian organisations which work tirelessly to raise awareness and fund vital research, so that one day we may live in a world without MND.