It is not known what causes MND.

Various studies have been carried out around the world and the risk of developing MND does not appear to be affected by race, diet or lifestyle.

MND does not occur in epidemics, it is not infectious and it does not appear to be caused by any other disease.

It is more common in men than in women.

Most people experience the onset of symptoms after the age of 40 and MND is most common in people aged between 50 and 70.

People you may know who were diagnosed with MND

Stephen Hawking - developed MND in his early 20s and lived with the condition for almost 40 years

Rob Burrow - an English rugby league player, who was diagnosed at the age of 38 and battled the disease for 4 and a half years.

"First it comes for your voice. Then it takes your legs. It tries to rob you of your breath. But it can't sap your spirit"

Doddie Weir - Scottish rugby union player who set up the ‘My Name’5 Doddie Foundation’ following his diagnosis in 2016, aged 46, and raised over £8 million.

https://www.brainandspine.org.uk/health-information/fact-sheets/motor-neurone-disease/#:~:text=MND does not occur in,between 50 and 70 years.