If a person’s motor neurons are not functioning well, they will experience significant problems with their movements, such as walking, standing, turning, breathing, eating, speaking, and swallowing. The paracrine cell communication system carries signals from the brain to the muscles. People can perform movements through a complex process involving neurons. Motor neurons act as the essential messengers in this system, transmitting electrical impulses from the brain and spinal cord to the skeletal muscles throughout the body. When you decide to move your arm, for instance, upper motor neurons in the brain’s motor cortex send signals down through the spinal cord, where they connect with lower motor neurons. These lower motor neurons then carry the command outward to the specific muscle fibers that need to contract.

When motor neurons become damaged or begin to degenerate, this communication pathway breaks down. The muscles no longer receive the signals they need to function properly, leading to progressive weakness, stiffness, and, eventually, atrophy as they waste away from disuse. Because motor neurons control such a wide range of essential functions, the effects of MND can be far-reaching, impacting everything from walking and maintaining balance to speech, swallowing, and even breathing. The progression and specific symptoms depend largely on which motor neurons are affected first and how rapidly the degeneration spreads.

What is motor neuron disease?

Motor neurons are nerve cells that control the muscles that move the body. Motor Neuron Disease, or “MND,” is a rapidly progressive neurological disease that damages motor neurons essential for controlling our movement. Nerve cells from the brain transmit messages to the nerve cells in the spinal cord, which are then distributed to different muscles in the body.

Types of MND

MND disorders are a family of conditions, and there are several classifications of motor neuron diseases depending on the patient’s symptoms and underlying causes, including:

• Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – ALS is the most well-known type of neurological disorder in the MND family. Famous cases of people with MND include Stephen Hawking, David Niven, and Lou Gehrig, who had Bulbar ALS. This sporadic disease affects the muscles of the legs, arms, respiratory system, and mouth. Incidence rates for ALS are higher in men and women aged 50 and up.
• Progressive muscular atrophy (PMA) is also a slow-moving variation of ALS and causes progressive muscle wasting in the legs, arms, and mouth area.
• Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is another form of upper & lower motor neuron disease that is not usually fatal but advances slightly more slowly than ALS. PLS in children is known as juvenile primary lateral sclerosis
• Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic variant of MND that primarily affects children. There are three types of this disease. A mutation in the SMA1 gene causes it and affects the legs and arms areas.
• Progressive Bulbar Palsy (PBP) is a type of MND that affects the brainstem. Patients diagnosed with ALS can also have progressive bulbar palsy (bulbar ALS), and PBP symptoms include frequent choking, difficulty eating, speaking, or swallowing.

Signs & Symptoms of Motor Neuron Disease

Early symptoms of MND often affect specific areas of the body before spreading to other areas. Early diagnosis is critical to managing this condition and improving overall survival, so visiting a neurologist at the first sign of symptoms is essential. There are typically three stages of MND, including early, middle, and advanced (terminal MND)

Early-stage symptoms of MND are often confused with other types of unrelated neurological disorders, and the diagnosis is frequently changed after further testing. The initial signs and warning signs of MND depend on where the disease first manifests. Typical symptoms of MND onset are in the mouth (bulbar region), arms, legs, or lungs (respiratory system).

Symptoms of Stage 1 MND include:

• Limb-onset disease resulting in cramps, muscle pains, and twitching
• Weakening hand grip or premature fatigue
• Weakness in the legs & arms
• Bulbar-onset disease resulting in garbled or slurred speech
• Difficulty with swallowing
• Increased incidents of clumsiness or stumbling
• Respiratory-onset disease, which causes frequent shortness of breath
• Lack of oxygen causes poor sleep or waking up with a headache

As MND progresses, symptoms become more noticeable as more body functions are affected.

Symptoms of MND Stage 2 include:

• Progressively weaker limbs in progressive muscular atrophy
• Increase in muscle-related pain, spasms, and twinges
• Increase in Joint pain in the hips, knees, or shoulders
• Muscle atrophy causes limb muscles to shrink or be abnormally stiff
• Reduction in rotation movements
• Inability to control saliva resulting in Drooling
• Frequent and uncontrollable bouts of yawning that can result in jaw pain
• Worsening of speech as muscles in the throat and mouth become weak
• Frequent changes in emotional state or personality resulting in uncontrollable laughing or crying
• Reduction in brain function and memory

Some secondary symptoms of advancing MND can include depression, persistent anxiety, and insomnia.

Symptoms of Advanced Stage MND (End-stage) – As the neurodegenerative effect worsens eventually, the patients are unable to eat, move, or breathe without assistance. At this stage, options are minimal, and stem cell therapy is likely not an option once the attacks have progressed to a phase of increasing body paralysis, where patients cannot function without supportive care. Respiratory failure is typically the most common complication of MND that leads to patient death. In contrast, others become unconscious or fall into a deep sleep from which they can pass peacefully.

Cause & Pathophysiology of MND

MND is diagnosed when the motor neurons (nerve cells) in the spine and brain lose their function. Although much research has been conducted, the underlying cause of MND remains unknown and is generally attributed to environmental (sporadic) factors, familial (hereditary/genetic) causes, or a combination of the 2. In 90% of cases of MND, the patient has no family history; however, genetic testing was not prevalent in previous generations, so this hypothesis is likely to change. Most researchers studying MND believe that the cause of neural dysfunction and premature neuronal death is probably a combination of damaging environmental and genetic factors. As we age, we gradually lose the ability to repair damage, leading to irreversible neurodegeneration. Research on MND, Strokes, Mixed Non-Fluent Aphasia, and Parkinson’s Disease continues, focusing on immune and genetic factors, toxins, viruses, and nerve growth factors that affect motor neuron activity. Other factors that are somewhat related to the development of MND include an autoimmune pathogenesis, exposure to toxins via smoking, and repeated head injuries, as is with professional athletes in professional fighting, mixed martial arts, or the NFL. Residents of countries such as Japan, Guam, and New Guinea also have a much higher percentage chance of exposure to chemicals and radiation, possibly due to current/previous military-industrial-related activities.

Sporadic MND

Some causes for environmental/sporadic MND include:

• RNA processing and Protein aggregates—Abnormal protein clumps are known as aggregates. These dysfunctional clumps are found in all cases of MND, form within motor neurons, and disrupt their normal function. The most likely aggregate is TDP-43, a vital protein responsible for processing RNA instructions within the cell. These genetic instructions are essential in replicating/repairing cells, and if damaged due to protein clumping, the nerve cell will be unable to function correctly.
• Mitochondrial Dysfunction – Mitochondria provide energy to cells, allowing them to function normally. Patients with MND show damage to this system due to the accumulation of proteins within mitochondria, rendering them unable to regulate cellular energy production.
• Damage to Glial cells—Glial cells are the most common cell type in the central nervous system. They support neurons, help relay information between cells, and provide nutrients and insulation between other supporting motor neuron cells.
• Cell Transport disruption occurs when cells cannot dispose of toxic waste. Toxic waste within neurons is removed by antioxidants, which use containers called microvesicles. If this waste transportation system becomes disrupted, it can lead to a buildup of toxic waste, causing abnormal cell activity. Some research has found links between MND and antioxidant deficiencies. There is also insufficient evidence to suggest that diet alone can treat antioxidant deficiencies.
• Glutamate Toxicity – Nerve cells use chemical messengers known as “Neurotransmitters” to send information between cells. There is evidence that for some patients, an overproduction or hypersensitivity to glutamate occurs, which causes over-excitation of the nerve cells, resulting in apoptosis (cell death)

Environmental vs. Familial MND

It’s important to note that familial and sporadic MND symptoms are nearly identical and can only be differentiated on the genetic level. The causes of motor neuron disease and Multiple Sclerosis are still unknown. Various environmental factors have been identified to lead to neurodegenerative disease. They can include exposure to environmental toxins, heavy metals like lead, pesticides, DDT, dieldrin, chemical exposure, serum uric acid, toxaphene, and organochlorines.

Evidence is still inconclusive, but some other linked environmental factors for MND include:

• Severe traumatic brain injuries are often misdiagnosed as ataxia or chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)
• Repeat head injuries due to sports like MMA, Muay Thai boxing, and other contact sports
• Physical trauma due to an accident
• Long-term exposure to Electromagnetic fields
• Other triggers include cancers and environmental contaminants.

Genetic Screening for MND

Mutations in a human gene occur when the set of instructions (inside the cells) is damaged. This results in the same error being replicated in new cells, leading to dysfunctions such as MND. Familial MND is rare but can only be verified using proactive testing for mutated genes. The fact that MND can be inherited genetically suggests that single mutations inherited from parents may sometimes play a much more significant role in developing the condition later in life. Clinical diagnosis for Hereditary MND necessitates mutations in at least 2 (or more) genes due to oligogenic inheritance.

The Regeneration Center does not offer gene therapies for MND. Still, it provides DNA mutation tests for MND with confirmed diagnoses to determine if they have one or more mutated genes associated with hereditary MND. We offer DNA gene sequencing tests for over 40 variants linked to MND, hereditary motor neuropathy (HMN), neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL) disorders, and genetic prion disease, including C9ORF72, ALS2, TBK1, SOD1, PRNP, DCTN1, SPG11, HEXB, TARDBP, KIF5A, FUS, OPTN, PFN1, SETX, CHCHD10, CHMP2B, MATR3, UBQLN2, VAPB, TFG, VCP, BCKDHA, BCKDHB, DBT, PPM1K, SIGMAR1, ATP7B and SQSTM1.

Tests & Diagnosis for MND

It can often be challenging to diagnose MND in the early stages because the symptoms of MND are often similar to other neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease & multiple sclerosis (MS). For most patients, a general physician will recommend that a neurologist review the patient’s symptoms and request additional diagnostic tests to confirm a diagnosis. A neurologist begins by reviewing the patient’s complete medical history and the physical symptoms of the neurologic disorder.

Tests that are used to confirm MND include:

• • Blood and urine tests can detect increased creatine kinase (CK). CK is an enzyme released when muscle breaks down and can be found in the brain, heart (especially after heart attacks), skeletal system, and other tissues. Increased creatinine kinase levels are found in the blood tests of patients with neurological diseases.
  • Radiology using MRI or CT scan might not be able to detect the actual presence of MND, but is used in the diagnostic phase to eliminate other conditions that display similar symptoms, such as brain strokes, traumatic brain injury, or cancerous brain tumors.
  • Nerve conduction tests (NCT or NCS) and Electromyography (EMG) measure the rate of electrical activity within muscles and the speed of nerve signals through tissues.

• Lumbar Puncture, aka “Spinal tap,” is a medical procedure used to extract and evaluate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF fluid surrounds and protects the brain and spinal cord from trauma, removes waste from cerebral metabolism, and provides nutrients to the brain and nervous system
• Muscle biopsies can also be used as diagnostic tools to assess muscle tissue. A tiny piece of muscle tissue is surgically removed and examined through a microscope. A biopsy can help identify issues in the connective tissue, vascular, nervous, and musculoskeletal systems.
• Genetic Tests are also used to screen for potential mutations in patients with MND.

After the test, a doctor can use the patient’s symptoms to determine whether the patient has ALS. The most commonly used set of criteria doctors use to diagnose MND/ALS is the El Escorial criteria. ^[1]

The typical symptoms of upper motor neuron disease include frequent cramps, recent weight loss, difficulty swallowing, random muscle twitching, excessive muscle wasting or weakness, fatigue, slurred speech, and drastic emotional changes. Motor neuron disease cannot be reversed. The patient and their family must make significant adjustments to help cope with this disease. The average life expectancy of someone who is diagnosed with ALS or MND without any interventional treatment is 1 to 5 years. There are different types of MND, and many of them can be fatal if left untreated. Patients with neuronal disease may enter a plateau phase in which symptoms remain stable for a time, but the condition will eventually worsen. Primary Lateral Sclerosis is a type of MND that is less fatal and progresses gradually. As the disease progresses, people with MND will develop generalized paralysis, difficulty swallowing, loss of speech, and total dependence on other people in performing day-to-day activities. People who care for MND patients should also adjust to the patient’s deteriorating condition.^[2]

Stopping Progressive MND

Please note that treatments for motor neuron disease are much more effective in the earlier stages. New clinical trials and recent advances in neuro-stem cell medicine using exosomes to bypass the blood-brain barrier have shown considerable promise in helping manage progressive muscular atrophy much more effectively, increasing life expectancy and quality of life for patients with mild-to-moderate stage MND. [3]
Any success depends on proper, consistent management to relieve symptoms. Muscle relaxants and prescribed Pain relievers such as morphine are not a long-term solution and only mask the underlying brain degeneration. Stem cell treatment for motor neuron disease focuses on the underlying issues leading to rapid muscle atrophy and nerve cell death using isolated and expanded neural stem cells along with progenitor cells and neurotrophic growth factors that help to secrete growth factors that lead to neurogenesis and the production of three types of nerve cells, including oligodendrocytes, astrocytes, and neuron cells. Motor neuron replacement can be isolated in the ventral horn, bran, and innervate striated muscle to induce the proliferation of new cells and restore proper function. ^[4]

Motor Neuron Disease Treatment (UC-MSC+)

Mesenchymal Stem cells are un-specialized cells in your body that can change into any tissue or cell (neuro) in the human body. Stem cells are unique because they can divide and reproduce indefinitely. The treatment for motor neuron disease using stem cells is non-surgical and minimally invasive. We offer several Stem cell treatment protocols for many diseases and disorders, including:

• Motor Neuron Disorder
• Alzheimer’s
• ALS
• Cerebral Palsy
• Progressive Supranuclear Palsy
• Brain Injuries
• Spinal Injuries
• Treatment for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
• Autism
• Ataxia
• Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
• COPD
• Multiple Sclerosis
• and Kidney Disease

After Stem Cell Therapy for MND

To qualify for treatment of nerve damage, patients with upper or lower motor neuron disease must have an established clinical diagnosis and supporting tests. A clinical diagnosis may take several months and include laboratory tests, such as MRIs, Brain CT Scans, electromyography, nerve conduction tests, transcranial magnetic stimulation tests (TMS), spinal taps, muscle biopsies, blood tests, and urinalysis. The Regeneration Center of Thailand offers functional medical treatments that focus primarily on repairing damaged or diseased tissues and restoring neural capacity through neural cell replacement therapy in the context of rapidly degenerative disease. ^[5]

Neural Cells for MND Overview

Total Number of UC-MSC+ Cell Sessions for MND: For most patients, we will recommend multiple Infusions of isolated and expanded mesenchymal cells, which can be cultured from autologous or allogeneic sources (UC-MSC) or Neural Stem cells (MSC–NSC). These stem cells, along with our proprietary mix of growth factors, are combined to enhance the treatment’s therapeutic potential. The growth factors we isolate and culture are naturally occurring proteins in cells that stimulate cell growth, proliferation, healing, and differentiation, and are combined with stem cells to support brain repair and regeneration. Some of the growth factors we isolate for MND patients include Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Insulin-like Growth Factor 1 (IGF-1), Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (GDNF), Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs).

Delivery Methods for UC-MSC+ and Neural Stem Cells: Delivery methods will vary based on patient needs. However, one of the main goals is to help reduce systemic neuroinflammation and promote faster recovery of lost cognitive function through neurogenesis. To achieve these results, the cells and growth factor complex can be administered using a combination of Intravenous infusions, intramuscular injections, stereotactic-guided delivery, inhalation therapy via micro-nebulized mesenchymal cells, Intrathecal infusions, and fluoroscopy-guided cell delivery (in a hospital setting only). All intrathecal injections at The Regeneration Center are done by a board-certified neurosurgeon and are needed to bypass the blood-brain barrier. Healing the blood-brain barrier (BBB) can be a crucial part of treatment because it helps maintain the brain’s microenvironment and protects it from harmful substances. Learn how to boost neural stem cells naturally.

Rehabilitation for “MND” Motor Neuron Disease: Rehabilitation therapy will be required after the treatment. Physical Rehabilitation can take place after MND treatment in Thailand or in any country that offers physical and speech rehabilitation services. Post-treatment rehab facility options will be provided upon request. Medical visas and accommodations for an extended stay can also be included as necessary.

2026 Guidelines for Treating MND

Due to varying degrees of severity, the total cost of our neural stem cell therapy for motor neuron disease will depend entirely on the patient’s specific medical needs. Our neurological stem cell team will need to better understand the patient’s needs before they can offer a detailed treatment plan. Our neural regeneration protocol requires an initial medical review, which can be conducted online or in person. Our medical review team will require the patient’s recent medical records, including any diagnostic exams such as Brain MRIs or CT Scans, to evaluate a potential patient. To begin assessing for our unique multi-stage MND treatment, please contact us today.

Published Clinical Citations

[1] ^ Agosta, Federica, Ammar Al-Chalabi, Massimo Filippi, Orla Hardiman, Ryuji Kaji, Vincent Meininger, Imaharu Nakano, et al. 2014. The El Escorial criteria: strengths and weaknesses. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration, no. 1-2 (December 8). doi:10.3109/21678421.2014.964258. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25482030

[2] ^ Naujock, Maximilian, Nancy Stanslowsky, Peter Reinhardt, Jared Sterneckert, Alexandra Haase, Ulrich Martin, Kwang-Soo Kim, Reinhard Dengler, Florian Wegner, and Susanne Petri. 2014. Molecular and functional analyses of motor neurons generated from human cord-blood-derived induced pluripotent stem cells. Stem cells and development, no. 24 ( 15). doi:10.1089/scd.2014.0180. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25007389

[3] ^ Phanthumchinda, K, O Supcharoen, and E Mitrabukdi. 1996. Madras pattern of motor neuron disease: case report from Thailand. Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand = Chotmaihet thangphaet, no. 6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8855616

[4] ^ Sarlak, Golmaryam, Anorut Jenwitheesuk, Banthit Chetsawang, and Piyarat Govitrapong. 2013. Effects of melatonin on nervous system aging: neurogenesis and neurodegeneration. Journal of Pharmacological Sciences, no. 1 (August 27). https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23985544

[5] ^ Terashima, Tomoya, Hideto Kojima, Hiroshi Urabe, Isamu Yamakawa, Nobuhiro Ogawa, Hiromichi Kawai, Lawrence Chan, and Hiroshi Maegawa. 2014. Stem cell factor-activated bone marrow ameliorates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by promoting protective microglial migration. Journal of Neuroscience Research, no. 7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24936617