Scientists say they have slowed and partially reversed damage, marking a 'new era' in the disease.
Les Wood, 68, from South Yorkshire, was the first British patient in the international trial,MND had forced him, an electrician, and his wife, Val, a nurse, to give up their careers, as walking and using his hands became more difficult.
After six months of therapy, those getting the drug had lower levels of SOD1 but were physically no better. She told me: "This is the first where patients participating have reported improvement in their motor function - 'I can walk without my sticks. I can go up my garden steps, which I haven't been able to do for two years. I can write my Christmas cards this year, which I couldn't do last year.'"
"It may take time for people to heal from the damage that has already been caused," said Dr Timothy Miller, the principal investigator, at Washington University.
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