Finding a cure for MND
MND is a progressive disease for which there is no known cure. It affects the nervous system, weakening muscles and affecting motor neurones in the brain and spinal cord. Gradually, messages stop reaching muscles. There is a range of symptoms including problems with core functions like walking, talking, eating, drinking and breathing. Not all symptoms will affect everyone, or in the same order. It is often difficult to predict the way the disease will progress because symptoms develop at varying speeds. MND affects around 1 in 300 people.
In an effort to find a cure, the UK government has committed £50 million to research, including funds to accelerate progress, as a result of the patient-led United to End MND campaign.
The MND Accelerator is part of this investment, helping to quicken the time it takes for research discoveries to become cutting edge medicines or treatments for patients.