Those with a certain genetic makeup more likely to develop motor neurone disease, study confirms.

Regular strenuous exercise raises the risk of developing motor neurone disease (MND) in people who are genetically predisposed to the condition, researchers say.

The Sheffield researchers emphasise that the vast majority of people who undertake vigorous exercise do not develop MND, and that their next step is to develop tests that identify people most at risk.

“Clearly, most people who undertake strenuous exercise do not develop motor neurone injury and more work is needed to pin-point the precise genetic risk factors involved,” said Prof Dame Pamela Shaw, director of the Neuroscience Institute at Sheffield.