Symptoms

MND presents itself in various ways, depending on the particular groups of muscle fibres which degenerate initially. Wasting and weakness of muscles of the hands, sometimes one side a first, stiffness in the legs with dragging of one leg or the development of marked weakness in the legs may be the initial symptom. Sometimes the muscles of the tongue and swallowing mechanism are affected early, with slurring of speech, difficulty in swallowing and coughing.

The disease may remain relatively stationary for some time or may progress to other limbs, to the tongue and to the breathing muscles. Death in MND is usually caused by the combined involvement of the swallowing and breathing muscles, causing a severe pneumonia.

Motor Neurone Disease does not cause bladder or bower symptoms and does not cause sensory, visual or hearing disorders.