Motor neurone disease in professional sportspeople: IIAC information note
This is the Council's note about the evidence concerning the risk of motor neurone disease (MND) among professional sportspeople.
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With considerable interest from stakeholders, the Industrial Injuries Advisory Council (IIAC) have reviewed the evidence concerning the risk of neurodegenerative diseases (an umbrella term for a number of diseases) in professional sportspeople.
IIAC takes the view that the current evidence base, while stronger than the last time Council reviewed this information and published in May 2016, is not sufficiently clear nor consistent enough to allow prescription for MND in professional sportspeople.
IIAC is aware that further studies are underway or are planned and are likely to provide additional information about the relationship between professional sport and motor neurone disease. Also, IIAC have commissioned reviews of cognitive impairment and Parkinson’s disease, which might provide additional relevant information. IIAC will revisit the topic when sufficient further information becomes available.