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Case Report | Volume 3 Issue 1 (Jan-June, 2022)
A Case Report on Motor Neuron Disease (MND)
 ,
1
PhD fellow in pain management, specially trained in Acupuncture, Suoxi Health Care Limited, Shaan Tower, Chamelibagh, Santinagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
2
Medical officer Suoxi Health Care Limited, Shaan Tower, Chamelibagh, Santinagar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Under a Creative Commons license
Open Access
Received
Dec. 2, 2021
Revised
Jan. 9, 2022
Accepted
Jan. 19, 2022
Published
Feb. 10, 2022
Abstract

Motor neuron disease (MNDs) is a neurodegenerative illness with unknown cause, often called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To put it another way, respiratory failure is the most common cause of mortality from progressive muscular weakening and bulbar dysfunction. Until all of the clinical signs and symptoms are present, it may be difficult to confirm the diagnosis [1]. All types of the illness have a considerable differential diagnosis to consider, including curable disorders, thus a professional neurology opinion should always be obtained. Even while only a small percentage of individuals with familial ALS can be shown to have a clear genetic inheritance, research into the biochemical basis of genetic subtypes is yielding crucial results that might one day lead to therapies for sporadic cases of the illness [2]. When there is no cure or disease-modifying treatment, care is supportive and involves a multidisciplinary team. Complex hereditary and environmental variables may play a role in the development of motor neuron disease, and future therapy may include a mix of molecular medicines or stem cell transplants to restore cell integrity. Patients with MND or ALS suffer from a gradual degenerative illness that has no recognized cause. It is helpful to think about the diverse manifestations of motor neuron illnesses in terms of the relative involvement of upper and lower motor neurons when considering the differential diagnosis.

Keywords
INTRODUCTION

Motor neuron disease (MNDs) are a group of rare neurodegenerative disorders that selectively affects motor neurons, the cell which controls voluntary muscles of the body [3]. They include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis [4]. progressive bulbar palsy (PBP), pseudobulbar palsy, progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), and monomelic amyotrophy (MMA), as well as some rarer variants resembling ALS. Furthermore, it was discovered that some types of motor neuron degeneration affect just the upper or lower motor neurons. Charcot and Joffroy coined the term amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to describe a mix of upper and lower motor neuron failure. In the United States, all types of the illness, regardless of the mix of upper and lower motor neuron involvement, are referred to as "ALS" or "Lou Gehrig's disease." Motor neuron disease (MND) is a more popular umbrella term in the United Kingdom. The average age of onset of MND is 58 years old, making it a disease that affects people in their middle and late years. A very uncommon neurological illness, MND is the third most common in the United States after Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, with an estimated incidence rate of around 2/100,000 [6-9]. Since its tragic path has put it at the center of an ethical discussion regarding end-of-life decisions and physician-assisted suicide, this illness has received a lot of attention. Motor neurons are also implicated in a wide range of disorders, both particular and broader neurodegenerative processes, of varying genesis. Motor neuron degeneration may be caused by viral infections, toxic assaults, and immune-mediated illness. As a result, MND or ALS is a disease that progresses at an uncertain rate and has no recognized cause. Differential diagnosis of motor neuron diseases should take into account the relative involvement of upper and lower motor neurons while addressing the various manifestations of the ailment.

CASE REPORT

Our hospital received a complaint from a 42-year-old man from Barisal who had been suffering from right-side muscular weakness for five years and had been experiencing generalized weakness for the last year. For the last year, he's been unable to speak clearly. He did not have diabetes or hypertension. We've begun research into his nerve conduction and electromyography. Routine blood tests, including thyroid function, serum electrophoresis and MRI of the spinal cord, are conducted. HIV testing for risk factors. The results of the MRI are normal. All tests came back normal, too. We dig further into his ancestry. We were unable to determine what ailment his mother had. Motor neuron illness was found to be the cause of his symptoms after conducting nerve conduction and electromyography. Physiotherapy, Tongue Acupuncture, and Chinese treatment were all options for the patient. 

 

Acupuncture is a medical procedure in which extremely fine needles are inserted into specific places on the body. For centuries, acupuncture has been an important part of traditional Chinese medicine. As a whole-body health tool, it is increasingly being utilized for stress management as well.

 

By putting small needles into the skin, acupuncture practitioners stimulate certain spots on the body. Traditional Chinese medicine makes use of this technique. Acupressure points along these meridians may be used to correct the flow of the patient's energy. Many Western practitioners, on the other hand, see acupuncture needles as areas where nerves, muscles, and connective tissues may be stimulated. The patient's natural painkillers are boosted by this activation. Tongue acupuncture is one of the few natural medicines that are as successful (TA). Acupuncture sites on the tongue relate to certain biological functions, according to traditional Chinese medicine. TA is thought to have the ability to influence the body's blood and energy flow by activating certain meridians linked to the functioning of various organs. Infrared radiation therapy, or light therapy, is used in physiotherapy to treat acute or chronic pain. This therapy uses a variety of light wavelengths to target affected parts of the body. Moving joints, ligaments, or muscles is a slower approach to alleviating pain and increasing flexibility. Traditional manipulation takes less time than repetitive movements, which may be harsh or gentle depending on the severity of the condition being addressed. The degree of patient mobility is what separates the two exercise treatment modalities. Unlike active exercise, passive exercise doesn't need much effort from the patient. Ultrasound, acupuncture, electric current, heat or cold may be used by a physiotherapist as part of passive exercises to stimulate muscles. Active physiotherapy exercises, on the other hand, require the usage of muscles and joints. Patient tries to manipulate joints or injured sections of the body on their own volitional basis. Manipulative physiotherapy is an area of competence in the treatment of neuromuscular diseases.

 

The patient had a tremendous reaction after tongue acupuncture. At the 1st day in tongue acupuncture, we saw improvement in speech of the patient. In little over a year, he was able to communicate in a clear and natural manner. At the eleventh day of acupuncture, there was a noticeable increase in muscular strength, and this progress continued every day beyond that point. Acupuncture, physiotherapy, and Chinese treatment were used to treat Motor Neuron Disease in this patient, according to the author.

 

 

Figure 1: Some Picture of Acupuncture Treatment Procedures

DISCUSSION

The vast majority of cases of ALS is unknown. Though the uniform incidence of MND throughout the world has been disputed [10], with the exception of geographical isolates such as on Guam and Guadeloupe, there is remarkably little variation in published studies. This does not immediately favor either an environmental or genetic cause. An apparent increase in the incidence of the disorder in the last few decades may be due to improved diagnosis, an aging population, or a genuine increase in the frequency of the disease and are known to be caused by dietary factors in the tropics (konzo in Africa and lathyrism in India) [11]. Numerous theories have implicated environmental poisons such as pesticides and heavy metals, but epidemiological evidence for this as the cause of typical sporadic ALS is lacking. Rare reports of ALS after electrocution probably represent a genuine biological phenomenon [12], but this does not seem to provide an insight into the origin of the vast majority of cases. In some detail, Autoimmune factors have also been explored. While there is evidence of factors in patient serum that may damage motor neurons in culture, immunomodulation with steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin, or plasma exchange has not been shown to be an effective treatment [13,14]. A patient came to our hospital with the complaint of weakness which was started from the right side 5 years ago and has now generalized weakness for the last 1 year. He was also having difficulty in speech for the last 1 year. We've begun research into his nerve conduction and electromyography and the results reveal Motor Neuron disease. We planned for Acupuncture, Physiotherapy, Tongue Acupuncture, and Chinese therapy. After tongue acupuncture, a dramatic response was found. On the 1st day of tongue acupuncture, we saw improvement in the speech of the patient. He started to speak after 1 year. On the 11th day of acupuncture, improvement was found in weakness; muscle strength improving day by day.

CONCLUSION

Motor neuron disease symptoms may begin at birth or develop over time. Motor neuron disorders often progress over time; although some, such as ALS, decrease a person's life span, others do not, there are presently no authorized therapies for the majority of these conditions. Symptomatic care is the primary mode of therapy for the majority of these conditions. Tongue acupuncture was employed by the authors to concentrate on an ancient procedure that was a remarkable success at irradiating muscular weakness and restoring speaking strength. Physiotherapy, Tongue acupuncture, and Chinese treatment were used in Bangladesh for the first time to successfully treat MND in this country.

REFERENCE
  1. Swash, M. “Motor Neuron Disease.” Postgraduate Medical Journal, vol. 68, no. 801, 1992, pp. 533–537. https://doi.org/10.1136/pgmj.68.801.533.

  2. Lyall, R.A. et al. “A Prospective Study of Quality of Life in ALS Patients Treated with Noninvasive Ventilation.” Neurology, vol. 57, no. 1, 2001, pp. 153–156.

  3. Ince, P.G. et al. “Chapter 13: Diseases of Movement and System Degenerations.” Greenfield’s Neuropathology, edited by J.G. Greenfield, S. Love, D.N. Louis, and D.W. Ellison, 2008.

  4. “Motor Neurone Disease.” NHS, 15 January 2018, www.nhs.uk.
    “Motor Neurone Disease (MND).” Healthdirect Australia, April 2020, www.healthdirect.gov.au.

  5. Kuzuhara, S. et al. “Familial Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism–Dementia Complex of the Kii Peninsula of Japan: Clinical and Neuropathological Study and Tau Analysis.” Annals of Neurology, vol. 49, no. 4, 2001, pp. 501–511.

  6. Charcot, J., and A. Joffroy. Deux Cas d’Atrophie Musculaire Progressive avec Lesions de la Substance Grise et des Faisceaux Antero-Lateraux de la Moelle Epiniere. n.d. Accessed January 2022. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/1bd576ce0b241d25add7bd193c8b71adda93cf22.

  7. Ringel, S.P. et al. “The Natural History of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” Neurology, vol. 43, no. 7, 1993, pp. 1316–1316.

  8. Traynor, B.J. et al. “Incidence and Prevalence of ALS in Ireland, 1995–1997: A Population-Based Study.” Neurology, vol. 52, no. 3, 1999, pp. 504–504.

  9. Piemonte and Valle d’Aosta Register for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (PARALS). “Incidence of ALS in Italy: Evidence for a Uniform Frequency in Western Countries.” Neurology, vol. 56, no. 2, 2001, pp. 239–244.

  10. Ludolph, A.C., and P.S. Spencer. “Toxic Models of Upper Motor Neuron Disease.” Journal of the Neurological Sciences, vol. 139, 1996, pp. 53–59.

  11. Howlett, W.P. et al. “Konzo, an Epidemic Upper Motor Neuron Disease Studied in Tanzania.” Brain, vol. 113, no. 1, 1990, pp. 223–235.

  12. Jafari, H. et al. “Motor Neuron Disease after Electric Injury.” Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, vol. 71, no. 2, 2001, pp. 265–267.

  13. Meucci, N., and E. Nobile-Orazio. “Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.” Journal of Neurology, vol. 243, no. 2, 1996, pp. 117–120.

  14. Rowland, L.P. “Ten Central Themes in a Decade of ALS Research.” Advances in Neurology, vol. 56, 1991, pp. 3–23.

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