Early sign of deadly disease appears in tongue muscles

MND is a progressive disease that affects the motor neurons that control movement in the body. Over time, this condition causes muscle weakness, which can lead to symptoms that make it difficult to speak, breathe, move, and swallow. New research by scientists at the University of Queensland in Australia has revealed that the tongue muscles in MND patients shrink, which may be a symptom in the early stages of the disease. The findings reinforce the idea that tongue muscle shrinkage may be an important indicator for early diagnosis of motor neuron disease.

"There are eight main muscles that move our tongue, and each one performs important functions like eating, swallowing, and speaking. However, in people with motor neuron disease, these muscles, like other muscles in the body, weaken and waste away over time," said Dr. Thomas Shaw, the neuroscientist who led the study.

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE-SUPPORTED METHODS

Researchers stated that examining the tongue muscles inside the mouth is a procedure that requires intervention in the body, but routine brain MRI scans can usually image these muscles as well.

The team examined more than 200 old MRI scans, including many from individuals with MND. The resulting cross-sectional images clearly revealed differences between MND patients and healthy individuals.

IMPORTANT FINDINGS ABOUT SURVIVAL TIME According to the research, the survival time of MND patients who experience weakening of the tongue, mouth, throat and neck muscles is shorter than that of patients whose first symptoms of the disease begin in the arms.

While MND can affect people of all ages, it's more common in people aged 50 and older. There's currently no cure for MND, but there are options to manage symptoms.

The initial symptoms of MND are listed as follows:

Difficulty climbing stairs

Frequent stumbling and difficulty lifting feet

Tremors, muscle spasms, or cramps

Inability to walk

Difficulty breathing, swallowing, or speaking

Excessive salivation in the mouth

Mood or personality changes

WHEN SHOULD YOU CONSULT A DOCTOR?

According to the news in the Mirror, people who experience the following three symptoms should definitely consult a specialist:

• Difficulty grasping objects
• Weakness in the legs or feet
• Constant tremors or muscle cramps

Experts say that MND is difficult to diagnose in the early stages, but as symptoms progress, the diagnosis can become definitive.