Painless, progressive weakness - Could this be Motor Neurone Disease? is a new diagnostic tool for GPs. The tool outlines the 'red flags' for MND including signs and symptoms, common features and supporting factors that point towards a diagnosis of MND.
The researchers identified a variation in the CCNF gene in some members of an Australian family with MND and/or FTD. When they extended the study globally, they found additional variations of the CCNF gene in other families as well as in ‘sporadic’ cases of MND and/or FTD, which are those without a family history of the diseases. This latest finding published in the prestigious journal Nature Communications suggests a common mechanism for the development of MND and FTD, and adds to a growing list of genes implicated in MND. About 10% of MND occurs in families and symptoms are indistinguishable from sporadic cases. Up to 15% of MND patients are also diagnosed with FTD.
What a lovely day in Forbes on Sunday 17 April for the Walk to d'Feet MND. Thank you to Pat Duncan and her side kick Marcia who did a great job again this year in organising a fantastic day. A huge thank you to Stewart and Rodney from Duncan Stockcrates who were the major sponsors for the second year running.
Each year the first full week of May, Sunday to Saturday marks MND Week. It is our chance to focus on awareness but we can’t do it without you. This year our focus will be on promoting the diagnosis of MND and providing information to GPs to help them seek an early diagnosis leading to better care and support. Our national social media campaign #7dayswithMND will shed light on people living with MND, their family, carers and health professionals and researchers.
Stay up to date with what is happening in MND Week by reading about the planned events here and by watching our Facebook page. And make sure you let us know of any events taking place in your area!
2016 will see the start of safety and tolerability testing of combination anti-retroviral therapy in a phase 2 clinical trial called The Lighthouse Project. The overall aim of the project is to test the possibility that a virus may be a cause or trigger for motor neuron disease (MND).
