Motor Neurone Disease

Q. What is Motor Neurone Disease?
A. Motor Neurone Disease (or MND) is a neurodegenerative disease which affects the motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord.
Motor neurones are the nerve cells along which the brain sends instructions, in the form of electrical impulses, to the muscles. Essentially they act as minute 'telegraph wires' forming the link between the person thinking about moving and the person making the movement itself. MND basically represents a breakdown in the line of communication - to use the 'telegraph wire' analogy MND is when the 'lines are down' and the brain cannot send the signals to the muscles any longer. This results in progressive paralysis of the muscles.

Q. How does MND affect people?
A. There are different forms of MND and it affects people in various ways. It is a relatively rare with only about 5,000 people in the UK having the disease at any one time. It only affects adults and the cause is unknown. Symptoms of MND can be similar to other conditions which means it can only be correctly diagnosed by a neurologist.

If you are worried you may have MND you should discuss your concerns with your Doctor.

Q. I have been diagnosed with MND, where can I go for more support and information?
A. There area number of places that you can go to find out about more about MND. When you are diagnosed you should be given information on the specialist hospital based MND service in your area. You can approach this service for more information and support concerning all aspects of your MND. If you live in the Newcastle, Northumberland, Cumbria, Sunderland, Gateshead, north County Durham or South of Tyne area then your local MND Care Centre is based at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (the RVI) and you can contact them on 0191 282693. This service consists of a consultant neurologist, physiotherapist and specialist MND nurses; they support those with MND, their carers and their families.  

The Middlesbrough MND Care Centre is based at James Cook University Hospital and covers Teesside, Cleveland, and the south of County Durham and Darlington

You should talk to your Doctor if you have not been told about these specialist support services.

For general information on MND, research and the support that is available to people with MND you can contact the MND association on 0845 7626262 or email mindconnect@mndassociation.org they also have a local representative in the North East, Helen Ward, who can be contacted on 0845 3751820 or email Helen.ward@mndassociation.org

Q. My partner has Motor Neurone Disease - where can we go to meet other people with the same diagnosis and their carers?

A. Currently there are two support groups in the North East for people with MND, carers and families. The groups meet monthly in Newcastle and Sunderland. For more information on this you can contact the local representative on the MND Association, Helen Ward on 0845 3751820 or email Helen.ward@mndassociation.org

Q. I have MND and I am struggling to manage at home with my disability, where can I go for help?
A. If you are struggling and need help and support to maintain your independence then assistance is available for you. You can contact the specialist MND Care Centre in your area they will be able to direct you to services where that can support you. Alternatively you can discuss this with your GP who would also be able to refer you.

If you live in the Newcastle, Northumberland, Cumbria, Sunderland, Gateshead, north County Durham or South of Tyne area then your local MND Care Centre is based at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary (the RVI) and you can contact them on 0191 282693. This service consists of a consultant neurologist, physiotherapist and specialist MND nurses; they support those with MND, their carers and their families.  
The Middlesbrough MND Care Centre is based at James Cook University Hospital and covers Teesside, Cleveland, and the south of County Durham and Darlington

For general information on MND, research and the support that is available to people with MND you can contact the MND association on 0845 7626262 or email mindconnect@mndassociation.org they also have a local representative in the North East, Helen Ward, who can be contacted on 0845 3751820 or email Helen.word@mndassociation.org