Overview
Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare nerve disease that affects the motor nerves — the nerves that carry signals from your brain to your muscles to make them move. Unlike many nerve diseases, MMN does not affect the nerves that carry feeling or sensation, so most people with MMN do not experience numbness or pain. The disease causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the protective coating around motor nerves, which disrupts the electrical signals that control muscle movement. The most noticeable symptom is slowly worsening weakness, usually starting in the hands and arms before affecting the legs. The weakness often affects one side of the body more than the other, which is unusual and helps doctors tell MMN apart from other nerve diseases. Some people also notice muscle twitching, cramping, or a gradual loss of muscle bulk over time. The good news is that MMN is treatable. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) therapy — a treatment made from donated human antibodies — is the main treatment and helps most people maintain their strength and function. While MMN is a lifelong condition, it generally progresses slowly and does not shorten life expectancy. With proper treatment and monitoring, many people with MMN are able to continue working and living independently.
Key symptoms:
Slowly worsening muscle weakness, especially in the hands and armsWeakness that is worse on one side of the body than the otherDifficulty with fine hand movements like buttoning clothes or writingMuscle cramps or twitching (fasciculations)Gradual loss of muscle bulk (muscle wasting)Weakness that may spread to the legs over timeDifficulty lifting the foot (foot drop) in some casesReduced reflexes in affected limbsFatigue in the affected musclesDifficulty gripping or holding objects
Clinical phenotype terms (12)— hover any for plain English
Sporadic
Usually appears on its own, not inherited from a parent
Adult
Begins in adulthood (age 18 or older)
FDA & Trial Timeline
7 eventsargenx — PHASE3
Dianthus Therapeutics — PHASE2
Assistance Publique - Hôpitaux de Paris
IRCCS San Camillo, Venezia, Italy — NA
argenx
argenx — PHASE2
Gammagard Liquid: FDA approved
Maintenance therapy to improve muscle strength and disability in adult patients with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN).
Data sourced from FDA regulatory filings and ClinicalTrials.gov. Updated periodically.
Treatments
1 availableGammagard Liquid
Maintenance therapy to improve muscle strength and disability in adult patients with Multifocal Motor Neuropathy (MMN).
Treatment Centers
8 centersBaylor College of Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🏥 NORDStanford Medicine Rare Disease Center ↗
Stanford Medicine
📍 Stanford, CA
🔬 UDNNIH Clinical Center Undiagnosed Diseases Program ↗
National Institutes of Health
📍 Bethesda, MD
🔬 UDNUCLA UDN Clinical Site ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
🔬 UDNBaylor College of Medicine UDN Clinical Site ↗
Baylor College of Medicine
📍 Houston, TX
🔬 UDNHarvard/MGH UDN Clinical Site ↗
Massachusetts General Hospital
📍 Boston, MA
🏥 NORDMayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine ↗
Mayo Clinic
📍 Rochester, MN
👤 Mayo Clinic Center for Individualized Medicine
🏥 NORDUCLA Rare Disease Day Program ↗
UCLA Health
📍 Los Angeles, CA
Financial Resources
1 resourcesTravel Grants
No travel grants are currently matched to Multifocal motor neuropathy.
Community
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Start the conversation →Latest news about Multifocal motor neuropathy
Disease timeline:
New recruiting trial: Emotional and Neutral Sounds for Neurophysiological Prognostic Assessment of Critically Ill Patients With a Disorder of Consciousness
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multifocal motor neuropathy
New recruiting trial: A Clinical Study to Evaluate DNTH103 in Adults With Multifocal Motor Neuropathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multifocal motor neuropathy
New recruiting trial: A Study to Assess the Efficacy and Safety of Empasiprubart Versus IVIg in Adults With Multifocal Motor Neuropathy
A new clinical trial is recruiting patients for Multifocal motor neuropathy
Caregiver Resources
NORD Caregiver Resources
Support, advocacy, and financial assistance for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Mental Health Support
Rare disease caregiving can be isolating. Connect with counseling and peer support.
Family & Caregiver Grants
Financial assistance programs specifically for caregivers of rare disease patients.
Social Security Disability
Learn how rare disease patients may qualify for SSDI/SSI benefits.
Questions for your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment
- Q1.How certain are you that I have MMN, and what tests confirm this diagnosis?,Should I be tested for anti-GM1 antibodies, and what does a positive or negative result mean for me?,What IVIg schedule do you recommend, and how will we know if it is working?,Are there any signs I should watch for that would mean my treatment needs to be adjusted?,What happens if I miss or delay an IVIg infusion?,Are there any clinical trials for MMN that I might be eligible for?,Should I see a physical or occupational therapist, and what can they help me with?
Common questions about Multifocal motor neuropathy
What is Multifocal motor neuropathy?
Multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) is a rare nerve disease that affects the motor nerves — the nerves that carry signals from your brain to your muscles to make them move. Unlike many nerve diseases, MMN does not affect the nerves that carry feeling or sensation, so most people with MMN do not experience numbness or pain. The disease causes the immune system to mistakenly attack the protective coating around motor nerves, which disrupts the electrical signals that control muscle movement. The most noticeable symptom is slowly worsening weakness, usually starting in the hands and arms before af
How is Multifocal motor neuropathy inherited?
Multifocal motor neuropathy follows a sporadic inheritance pattern. Genetic counseling can help families understand recurrence risk and testing options.
At what age does Multifocal motor neuropathy typically begin?
Typical onset of Multifocal motor neuropathy is adult. Age of onset can vary across affected individuals.
Are there clinical trials for Multifocal motor neuropathy?
Yes — 4 recruiting clinical trials are currently listed for Multifocal motor neuropathy on UniteRare. See the clinical trials section on this page for phase, sponsor, and site details sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov.
Which specialists treat Multifocal motor neuropathy?
25 specialists and care centers treating Multifocal motor neuropathy are listed on UniteRare, sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov principal investigators, published research, and the NPPES NPI registry.
What treatment and support options exist for Multifocal motor neuropathy?
1 patient support program are currently tracked on UniteRare for Multifocal motor neuropathy. See the treatments and support programs sections for copay assistance, eligibility, and contact details.