A vaccine for reducing disease progression, and/or protection of motor nerve degeneration, and/or protection from glutamate toxicity in motor neurone disease (MND), particularly amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), patients, comprising an active agent selected from the group consisting of Cop 1, a Cop 1-related peptide, a Cop 1-related polypeptide, and poly-Glu, Tyr. The active agent is preferably Cop 1 or poly-Glu, Tyr, and can be administered with or without an adjuvant.