MND Australia
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Cognition, thinking & behaviour

Some people with MND, but without a diagnosis of dementia, will experience changes to their thinking and behaviour known as cognitive change. This is useful to understand and consider when managing both day to day activities and in planning for future needs.

The symptoms below can also be signs of other conditions so it is always really important to seek medical opinion to determine if the changes displayed are symptoms of another disease, or if any treatment is required.

Possible changes in thinking include:

  • a general slowing down of thinking processes
  • a reduced ability to organise, make decisions and plan ahead
  • being less willing to try something new and initiate activities
  • reduced ability to remember recent information

Possible changes in behaviour:

  • becoming more withdrawn and showing less interest in hobbies and activities that were previously important
  • showing less affection and consideration for others
  • requiring prompts to initiate physical activity
  • becoming more impulsive and less concerned with social niceties
  • behaving inappropriately
  • developing a preference for sweet foods

Possible changes in language may be:

  • more of an effort is required to speak and speech becomes less fluent
  • naming objects may become more difficult

Learn more about cognitive and behaviour change in MND