Breakthrough may identify genes behind motor neuron disease

SCIENTISTS studying one of the most baffling disorders of the nervous system have made a breakthrough that could help identify the role some genes can play in increasing the risk of motor neuron disease (MND).

The breakthrough sheds new light on the form of the disease that develops in patients where there is no known family history of MND – known as ‘sporadic’ or non-familial MND – the most common form of the condition. A small percentage of cases – about 5% – are due to known genetic problems and run in families. Until now it was uncertain whether genes played a role in the remaining nine out of 10 cases.

However, the latest research, which involves a team of high-profile Irish scientists funded by the Health Research Board (HRB), has shown that two regions of the human genetic code increase MND risk.