The NSW Government will invest $2 million to support research into Motor Neurone Disease (MND) in NSW, including in the state’s Riverina.
Premier Chris Minns announced funding for the research has now been approved and said it will go a long way in helping to better understand the incidence of MND across NSW.
“This $2 million investment delivers on our election commitment to fund research on MND in the Riverina,” Mr Minns said.
“It’s estimated that Motor Neurone Disease affects around eight per 100,000 people in Australia, and we know around 90 per cent of cases occur sporadically, without any apparent reason or family link.
“The NSW Government has committed this funding to support people affected by MND and to better understand the causes of the condition.”
“The funding will be allocated using a merit-based assessment and in close consultation with key academic groups.”
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park said the $2 million commitment arose as a result of community concerns of potential MND clusters in parts of NSW.
“MND is a rare, progressive neurological disorder which causes rapid degeneration of muscle activity and can impair walking, talking, breathing and general functioning,” Mr Park said.
“That’s why this research is so important, so we can better understand the causes and, hopefully, improve treatment and outcomes.”
Minister for Medical Research David Harris said there are many theories about the causes of sporadic cases of MND and there is extensive and ongoing international research in the space.
“With this funding, we will put NSW at the forefront of MND research – working with industry partners to better understand the occurrence of MND,” Mr Harris said.
“NSW Health will liaise with key academic groups and implement a merit-based process to deliver the NSW Government’s commitment to MND research.”
NSW Health monitors the rate and distribution of MND cases through routinely collected hospital admission and mortality data.