Between 2010 and 2021, approximately 2,250 new cases and 1,840 deaths were recorded in France. The incidence of motor neuron diseases (MND) is approximately 3.4 new cases per 100,000 person-years, and the mortality rate is 2.5 deaths per 100,000 person-years.

There was no major change over time in the incidence or mortality of MND during the 2010–2021 period. The slight increase in the crude (unadjusted) indicators disappears after adjustment for age and sex. The absolute number of MND cases is increasing, but this is due to population aging and the growing number of people in the age groups where the disease is most commonly diagnosed.

The incidence of motor neuron diseases rises sharply with age, peaking between the ages of 70 and 79, and then declines thereafter; 35% of new cases occur in people under the age of 65. Across all age groups, the incidence is higher in men than in women.

Regional disparities have been observed, with certain areas showing higher incidence or mortality rates than the national average. Regional,
departmental, and EPCI-level data on motor neuron diseases are available on the Odissé open data platform.