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20 Speak Out June 2017
MOTOR NEURONE DISEASE (MND ), a progressive and ultimately
fatal neurodegenerative disease, is often clinically difficult to
diagnose with insidious onset and different combinations of upper
and lower motor neurone findings including changes in speech and
swallowing.
Speech pathologists, who are at the frontline of identifying early
dysphagia and dysarthria, now have access to a diagnostic
tool developed for GPs and other health professionals by
Painless, progressive weakness – Could this be motor neurone
disease?, highlights MND “red flags” and aims to prompt early
recognition of potential MND symptoms during health examinations
and treatments.
There is no single investigation specific to MND (also referred to
as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS) and no sensitive disease-
specific biomarker, so diagnosis is based on symptoms, clinical
findings and the results of electrodiagnostic, neuroimaging and
laboratory studies (Anderson et al., 2012).
In reaching a confirmation of MND, the diagnostic period is often
lengthy. On average, the time from first symptoms to diagnosis is
14 months while, for people diagnosed with MND, the time from
diagnosis to death is just 2.5 years. Rapid and accurate diagnosis
is crucial in ensuring the needs of people living with MND are met
from the earliest possible stage.
Painless, progressive weakness – Could this be motor neurone
disease? aims to assist health professionals in their referral to a
neurologist thereby speeding up the time to an accurate diagnosis.
There are a proposed handful of key clinical features on
examination which, in the presence of a history of progressive
weakness, should prompt suspicion for a diagnosis of MND. These
include widespread fasciculations that may be visible as brief
twitching under the skin or in the tongue and wasting of the tongue
margins. Lower motor neurone weakness affecting bulbar muscles
may present as slurred, nasal or hoarse speech, dysphagia or
drooling while upper motor neurone involvement may present as
slow and spastic dysarthria (Huynh & Kiernan, 2016).
Painless, progressive weakness – Could this be motor neurone
disease? outlines MND signs and symptoms including bulbar
and limb features, respiratory and cognitive features as well as
supporting factors that point towards a diagnosis of MND.
Allied health professionals can download the red flags diagnostic
tool from the MNDcare website
All MND enquiries can be made via the toll-free number: 1800 777
175
References
Andersen P.M., Abrahams, S., Borasio, G.D., de Carvalho, M.,
Chio, A., Van Damme, P., Weber, N. (2012). EFNS guidelines on
the clinical managment fo amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MALS):
Revised report on an EFNS task Force. European Journal of
Neurology, 19(3), 360-375. doi:10.1111/j.1468-1331.2011,03501,z
let al. Eur J Neurol 2012;19:360-375.
Huynh, W., & Kiernan, M., Motor neuron disease. Australian
Doctor, 29 April 2016: 17-24.
Could this be motor neurone disease?
SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS, WHO ARE AT THE FRONTLINE OF IDENTIFYING EARLY DYSPHAGIA AND DYSARTHRIA,
NOW HAVE ACCESS TO A DIAGNOSTIC TOOL DEVELOPED FOR GPS AND OTHER HEALTH PROFESSIONALS BY
.
July and September
Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and Perth
Additional courses organised by demand
Multisensory Instruction in
Language Arts 1
Teacher Training Course
Gain the skills to teach writing, spelling and
reading to primary school students.
Contact
Robyn Grace
03 9889 4768