What is the neuromuscular system?

The neuromuscular system includes all the muscles in your body and the nerves connecting them.

Every time your body moves, your brain and muscles need to talk to each other. The nervous system links your thoughts to actions. It does this by sending electrical messages from your brain to other parts of your body.

Nerves and muscles work together in the neuromuscular system to help your body move and control important functions like breathing.

How does the neuromuscular system work?

Nerves are cells called neurons. Neurons carry messages to and from your brain through the spinal cord to your muscles.

Outgoing messages travel from your brain along the motor pathways to activate your muscles. These pathways are made up of motor neurons.

Incoming messages from your senses (like sight and smell) travel to your spinal cord and brain along the sensory pathways. These are called sensory neurons.

The ending of each motor neuron sits very close to a muscle fibre. Where they meet is called a neuromuscular junction. The motor neurons release a chemical, which is picked up by the muscle fibre. This tells the muscle fibre to contract, which makes your muscles move.

Neurons carry messages from the brain via the spinal cord. These messages travel to your muscles. They tell your muscle fibres to contract, which makes your muscles move.

What diseases involve the neuromuscular system?

Diseases that affect the neuromuscular system are known as neuromuscular diseases.

Some types of neuromuscular diseases are:

• Myopathies — genetic conditions that affect muscles that control movement, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy and facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy.
• Motor neuron diseases — affect motor neurons and cause progressive muscle weakness, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and progressive bulbar palsy.
• Peripheral neuropathies — affect the sensory and motor nerves in the outer parts of your body, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth
• Neuromuscular junction diseases — conditions where messages from nerves to muscles are blocked at the neuromuscular junction, such as myasthenia gravis.

Some neuromuscular diseases are congenital, meaning symptoms appear at birth or in babies.

Some congenital myopathies include:

• nemaline myopathy
• central core myopathy
• myotubular myopathy

Some congenital muscular dystrophies include:

• Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy
• muscle-eye-brain disease
• Walker-Warburg syndrome

What are the symptoms of neuromuscular disease?

Symptoms of neuromuscular disease vary depending on which nerves and muscles are affected and the type of disease.

You may have problems with:

• tiredness
• weakness
• muscle pain
• muscle wasting
• spasms

In severe cases, neuromuscular diseases can lead to problems with:

• swallowing
• speaking
• breathing

What causes neuromuscular system diseases?

In some neuromuscular diseases, damaged nerves do not carry messages from the brain as they should. In others, the muscles are damaged. This means they either can't get messages from motor neurons, or they can't respond normally.

When should I see my doctor?

If you are concerned or have any unusual symptoms speak with your doctor.

See your doctor if you notice any new:

• muscle weakness
• spasms
• twitching
• pain

If your child has these symptoms, speak with their doctor, paediatrician or early child health nurse.

How are neuromuscular system diseases treated?

Treatments usually try to reduce symptoms and improve the quality of life for people with neuromuscular diseases. In many cases there is no cure.

Can neuromuscular problems be prevented?

Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent neuromuscular disorders. There are many of genetic changes that can cause neuromuscular disorders.

Resources and support

Read more on neuromuscular disorders here:

• The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has information on a range of neuromuscular disorders.
• MS Australia has resources for people with multiple sclerosis, including information on treatment and wellbeing.
• MND Australia has information on motor neurone disease for people living with the condition and their families.
• Visit the Australian and regional muscular dystrophy societies to learn more about services, social programs and NDIS support available:
  • Muscular Dystrophy Australia — (03) 9320 9555 (Monday to -Thursday, 9am to 5pm)
  • Muscular Dystrophy Foundation Australia offers advice and access to health and wellbeing resources.
  • Muscular Dystrophy NSW call 1800 635 109
  • Muscular Dystrophy Queensland call 1800 676 364
  • Neuromuscular WA call 08 9380 3400
  • Capital Region Muscular Dystrophy call 0429 382502
  • Muscular Dystrophy Tasmania call 0400 877 137
• AUSNMD is a clinical trial finder for neuromuscular disorders.
• Murdoch Children's Research Institute has a Centre of Research Excellence in neuromuscular disorders, where there are many neuromuscular experts.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.