A new training program in the UK is set to equip dentists and general practitioners with the knowledge to identify early, often overlooked signs of motor neurone disease (MND). The initiative, named Race to Diagnose, is the first of its kind and aims to improve diagnostic speed, which could allow for more effective use of disease-slowing treatments and give families additional time for necessary life adjustments.
Motor neurone disease is a progressive condition affecting the nerves that control voluntary muscle movement, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and eventual death. Approximately 2,200 individuals in the UK are diagnosed with MND annually, but the condition is frequently detected at later, more debilitating stages. The average survival time after diagnosis is typically two to three years.
"The early signs of motor neurone disease vary considerably," stated Jessica Lee, director of research at the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation, the charity behind the program. "There is no single test that tells you conclusively that someone has it. That means people can move between different parts of the healthcare system before they reach the right specialist."
The Race to Diagnose program will provide healthcare professionals with practical guidance on recognizing potential symptoms, assessing their significance, and making timely referrals to specialists. Lee added that "As treatments begin to emerge, reaching people earlier in the course of the disease may be critical to giving those treatments the best possible chance of having an effect."
Subtle changes in tongue muscles can be an early indicator of MND. Experts note that patients might experience difficulty moving their tongue or exhibit involuntary muscle twitches when the tongue is at rest. These changes can also affect speech, potentially leading to slight slurring or a slower, less clear delivery, particularly for sounds requiring precise tongue movements.
Other early symptoms may include swallowing difficulties, muscle cramping, and problems with walking or climbing stairs. The training will also cover how to communicate the need for an urgent referral to a neurologist without causing undue alarm to patients.
While about one in 10 cases of MND are inherited, the causes for the remaining cases are unknown. However, research is exploring the role of lifestyle factors, with smoking being a significant focus. Some studies suggest that ever having smoked could increase the risk of developing MND by 20% to 40%, though evidence remains mixed. Smokers diagnosed with the condition also tend to experience symptom onset at a younger age.
The most widely known individual with MND was physicist Stephen Hawking, who was diagnosed in 1963 at the age of 21. Despite an initial prognosis of only a few years, he lived for over five decades.
