Download Motor Neurone Disease Motor neurone disease (MND) is the name

Motor Neurone Disease
Motor neurone disease (MND) 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, swallow and
breathe fail to work normally. With no nerves to activate them the muscles gradually
weaken and waste. The patterns of weakness and rate of progression vary from person to
person. While some people can live a long time with MND, the average life expectancy is 2
to 3 years from diagnosis.
MND was first described by Jean-Martin Charcot in 1869 and there is still no known cause or
cure for this devastating disease and treatment options are very limited. Effective
management of the disease by a variety of specialist health professionals is vital to
maintaining quality of life and assisting with symptom control.
Recent data around the incidence of mortality demonstrate an increase in the number of
deaths from MND in Australia during the last decade (Australian Institute of Health and
Welfare). The ageing population and interventions that improve life expectancy in MND are
likely to result in a steady increase in the number of people living with MND in Australia.
In 2000 there were 450 deaths from MND compared with 596 in 2009 - the cause of this
30% increase is mostly unknown. Over the last few years the number of people in Australia
for whom the underlying cause of death is MND has remained fairly stable. In 2007 - 595
persons, 2008 - 611 persons and 2009 - 596 persons.
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Causes of Death [data available on request].
Thank you to MND Australia http://www.mndaust.asn.au for this information.
State and territory based contacts:
MND Queensland - http://www.mndaq.org.au/
MND Tasmania - http://www.mndatas.asn.au/
MND NSW - http://www.mndnsw.asn.au
MND Victoria - https://www.mnd.asn.au/
MND South Australia - http://www.mndasa.com.au/
MND Western Australia - http://www.mndawa.asn.au/
If you live in the ACT or NT please contact MND NSW - http://www.mndnsw.asn.au