Motor Neuron Diseases

So I realized the other day that I seldom know anything about the charity that the race is benefiting. The Mag Mile, which a lot of us participated in yesterday, was supporting the Spastic Paraplegia Foundation (SPF). This organization raises money for Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) and Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), which are two upper motor neuron diseases. In these diseases, the motor neurons that control voluntary movement degrade and die, which causes problems with everything from breathing and swallowing to walking and movement in general. There are no known cures for these diseases, which often progress slowly. Treatment involves symptom management (reducing spasticity and cramping, improving joint mobility, etc.). #20