The refined early warning signal that exposed Eric Dane’s sickness – as Grey’s Anatomy star dies of motor neurone illness
Actor Eric Dane dismissed one of the early warning signs of motor neurone disease as being related to ‘too much texting’.
The Grey’s Anatomy star, 53, revealed that he had been diagnosed with a form of the progressive neurodegenerative disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease – less than a year ago.
The disease, which is incurable, affects the nerve cells in the brain and spine that control muscle movement. As it progresses, it causes patients to slowly lose their ability to speak, eat, walk and breathe independently, eventually leading to death.
Last year, Dane shared an early symptom of the disease which he had dismissed – he was losing strength in his right thumb.
Speaking on Good Morning America, he said: ‘I started experiencing some weakness in my right hand and I didn’t really think anything of it at the time.
‘I thought maybe I had been texting too much or my hand was fatigued.
‘But a few weeks later I noticed it had gotten a little worse so I went and saw a hand specialist and he sent me to another hand specialist.
‘I went and saw a neurologist and they sent me to another neurologist and said this is way above [his] pay grade.’
Grey’s Anatomy and Euphoria fans reacted with shock and sadness at the news today that star Eric Dane is living with a form of deadly motor neurone disease
Nine months later he was diagnosed with ALS, and from there his condition began to deteriorate until he had lost functionality in his right arm.
He said: ‘I have one functioning arm, my dominant side is [my right], my left side is functioning, my right side is completely stopped working.
‘My left arm is going, I feel like a couple few more months and I won’t have my left either, it is sobering.’
It’s not fully understood why motor neurone disease occurs and there are no treatments to halt its cruel march—instead, doctors focus on alleviating the worst of the symptoms.
Around 5,000 adults in the UK and roughly the same number in the US have motor neurone disease—there is a one in 300 risk of developing the condition.
The average life–expectancy of a patient with the ALS form is between two to five years from the point of diagnosis, although some patients live longer—as was the case for Stephen Hawking, who survived for 50 years with the illness.
A statement from his representative revealed that Dane passed away surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, model Rebecca Gayheart and their daughters Billie, 15, and Georgia, 14.
Last year, during the same appearance on Good Morning America, he revealed how ‘angry’ he was that he might leave his young daughters without a father – after losing his own father to suicide when he was seven.
The TV hunk is best known being Dr Mark Sloan, above with Dr Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey, on Grey’s Anatomy from 2006
He said: ‘Because, you know, my father was taken from me when I was young.
‘And now, you know, there’s a very good chance I’m going to be taken from my girls while they’re very young.’
Dane’s most recent – and final – role was as Cal Jacobs in HBO‘s award–winning series Euphoria.
The TV hunk is best known for being Dr Mark Sloan on Grey’s Anatomy from 2006, played Jason Dean in fantasy drama series Charmed and featured in films such as Marley & Me, Valentine’s Day and Burlesque.
So just what is motor neurone disease and what are the symptoms people need to be aware of?
Mr Dane had a specific type of motor neurone disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, which also hit renowned physicist Hawking.
As with all kinds, it is a rare neurological condition that damages the nervous system over time, resulting in difficulties walking, speaking, eating and breathing which worsen as the condition progresses.
Here, the Daily Mail breaks down the early warning signs of the fatal condition that everyone needs to know…
In a statement to People magazine, the actor’s reps confirmed he had died at home with family
Muscle twitches and cramps
Unexplained muscle twitches and cramps are among the early signs.
This can also feel like a rippling sensation under the skin, according to Motor Neurone Disease Association.
However, twitching by itself is not usually associated with neurological conditions such as motor neurone disease unless other symptoms are present, the charity explains.
It can also happen with tiredness, stress, viral infections or general ill health.
Some tremors and twitches are normal and can be caused by caffeine, stress and age.
Feeling tired all the time
A common symptom is fatigue—a feeling of constant, extreme exhaustion, ‘burnout’ or lack of energy—which is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones.
Dane and his wife Rebecca Gayheart – with whom he shares daughters Billie, now 15, and Georgia, now 14. The family are pictured above in 2017
Dane as Cal Jacobs in HBO’s award–winning series Euphoria
These cells gradually stop working over time, although it’s not known why this happens.
Other problems that are common with motor neurone disease, such as insomnia, can exacerbate this.
Fatigue usually happens once other symptoms of the condition become more obvious.
Weakness in the legs
Tripping, falling and finding it harder to climb the stairs can be a sign of motor neurone disease.
That’s because the condition can cause muscle weakness in the ankles and legs.
When muscles get weaker they reduces in size, also known as wasting or atrophy.
‘Foot drop’ can be an early symptom, where one foot sometimes feels weak or drags, according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
Dane has a type of motor neurone disease called amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, which also hit late physicist Stephen Hawking
It’s important to remember this could also be caused by an injury or another condition, but it should still be checked out by your GP, it adds.
Weak or stiff hands
Dropping things due to having weak or stiff hands, could be a warning sign of a neurological problem.
Just as it causes weakness in the ankles and legs, motor neurone disease can cause a weak grip, making it harder to open jars, do up buttons and even hold objects, the NHS says.
However, stiff hands or a weak grip can also be an indication of age related joint problems or a trapped nerve.
Slurred speech
People with MND suffer from weak muscles in the face, mouth, tongue or throat. This can also cause difficulty in swallowing food, the NHS adds.
It can also affect the volume, or ‘loudness’ of your speech, according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
The charity explains that faint speech can happen if a person feels breathless.
Emotional outbursts
The condition doesn’t just affect the muscles, but the mind too.
Because it is caused by a problem with cells in the brain and nerves called motor neurones, it can also change the way patients behave and think.
In fact, up to half of people diagnosed with MND experience these changes, according to the Motor Neurone Disease Association.
It can make it harder to stop yourself from crying or laughing in inappropriate situations, the NHS explains.
For most people these changes are mild and do not severely impact their daily life.
