Finding a Diagnosis

Stories from MDA, a trusted resource and a supportive community, empowering people living with neuromuscular disease to live longer, more independent lives.

Blog Post

MDA Ambassador Guest Blog: How Genetic Testing Helped Us Feel Empowered

By Jessica and Mark Lennox | April 18, 2025
Degradation of motor neurons, conceptual computer illustration. Motor neuron diseases are a group of neurodegenerative disorders including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, progressive bulbar palsy and other. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease is the most common of the motor neuron diseases. Nerve degeneration and restricted production of the neurotransmitter dopamine results in deterioration of muscle tissue. This debilitating disease is characterized by rapidly progressive weakness, muscle atrophy and twitching, muscle spasticity, difficulty speaking (dysarthria), difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), and difficulty breathing (dyspnea).
Blog Post

Simply Stated: Updates in Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) Disorders

By Sujatha Gurunathan | March 31, 2025
Blog Post

Celebrating 25 Years of Impact: MDA’s Wings Over Wall Street Gala Honors Leaders in ALS Research and Advocacy

By MDA Staff | March 16, 2025
Illustration of a male doctor seated at a desk and a female patient seated across from him in a power wheelchair.
Featured Article

Why You Should Practice Shared Healthcare Decision-Making

By Meredith Landry | February 28, 2025
A family of four, consisting of a mother holding a toddler boy and a father holding his daughter’s hand, poses in an outdoor setting.
Featured Article

4 Key Ways to Support Siblings of Kids with Neuromuscular Diseases

By Amy Bernstein | February 28, 2025
Black and white photo of Paul Cohen in a suit jacket and tie sitting in a desk chair
Blog Post

MDA’s Origin Story: A Grassroots Legacy

By MDA Staff | February 19, 2025
Blood sample with requisition form for creatine kinase (CK) test
Blog Post

Understanding Creatine Kinase Levels and Testing

By Chris Anselmo | November 22, 2024
Arab businessman suffering from toothache, sitting in the office at the table in front of the laptop, holding his jaw, grimacing in pain, health concept.
Featured Article

The Power of Speech: I Talk to People for a Living. Myotonic Dystrophy Makes It Harder.

By Andrew Zaleski | November 18, 2024
2024 Clinical and Scientific Conference - Mon 03042024
Blog Post

A Q&A Look into the Planning and Upcoming Topics of the 2025 MDA Clinical & Scientific Conference

By MDA Staff | November 6, 2024
Titled book Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis along with medical equipment, Title of book invented and fictitious made in Photoshop, conceptual image
Blog Post

Simply Stated: Updates in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

By Sujatha Gurunathan | October 29, 2024