The three main forms of MND 1. In Australia, the term MND is used rather than ALS and this refers to the most common form of MND, which causes two thirds of all cases. Symptoms commonly develop first in the hands or feet with people tending to drop things unaccountably or to trip when walking. It affects 3.4 times as many men as women and usually appears before the age of fifty. It tends to be a slower and longer lasting form of the disease.
Early symptoms are slurred speech or inexplicable choking on certain foods.
Speech becomes thick and slurred and may deteriorate to the point where other methods of communication must be used. Chewing and swallowing foods and liquids becomes difficult and saliva tends to pool in the mouth. Some people experience weakening of the neck muscles and shoulder girdle but the majority with PBP retain the ability to walk. PBP mostly occurs in older people and is slightly more common in women than men. The onset is gradual and in the early stages of the disease the symptoms are slight.