The nation's leading supporter of biomedical research on disorders of the brain and nervous system. It is characterized by weakness and wasting in a single limb, usually an arm and hand rather than a foot and leg. MMA occurs primarily in males between the ages of 15 and 25. Onset is insidious and progression is slow. In most cases, the cause is unknown, although there have been a few published reports linking MMA to traumatic or radiation injury.
Diagnosis is made by physical exam and medical history.
People believed to have MMA should be followed by a neuromuscular disease specialist for a number of months to make certain that no signs of other motor neuron diseases develop. Treatment consists of muscle strengthening exercises and training in hand coordination. The symptoms of MMA usually progress slowly for one to two years before reaching a plateau, then remain stable for many years. Disability is generally slight. Occasionally, the weakness progresses to the opposite limb.