A unique place of expertise on muscle, the Institute of Myology pursues a single objective : to put all the resources, skills and technologies in common to fight neuromuscular diseases. Three major activities are conducted together at the Institute  : research, clinical and teaching activities. In concrete terms, the core activity of the Institute of Myology includes fundamental and applied research, care and follow-up of patients and the implementation of clinical trials. This centre of expertise works with high-technology tools to gain exhaustive knowledge of muscle and muscle diseases, and envisage treatments.

 

The general structure, supported by partnerships with AP-HP (Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris), Inserm  (Institut National pour la Santé et la Recherche Médicale), the CEA  (Commissariat à l’Energie Atomique), the Université de Technologie de Troyes and the Universités de Paris VI and Aix-Marseille II, has acquired a certain notoriety. The quality of the technological platform and of the accumulated experience have made of the Institute a point of reference for pathological muscle, and also healthy, aging and exercise-trained muscle. It is also a premier recruitment platform for European clinical research.

The year 2003 was marked by the preparation of the visit of ANAES  (Agence nationale d’accréditation et d’évaluation en santé) for accreditation. The AFM team coordinating the Institute works in close collaboration with the consultation health care team. This is an exceptional collaboration between an institution and a patient organisation based on very constructive work of systematic pinpointing what needs to improve, during auto-evaluation sessions. The objective is to put in place operational procedures for patient reception, and the implementation of the patient comprehensive management plan (see specific terminologies of the accreditation manual).

To achieve better synergy between the main partners of the Institute of Myology, four conventions were signed this year between AFM and AP-HP, Inserm and the Université de technologie de Troyes.

 

 

-A convention for the 10-year occupancy of the Risler pavillion was signed with AP-HP. The pavillion underwent major developments in 2002 and 2003 to set up the laboratory of histopathology, which is now fully operational.
-A convention providing AP-HP with an AFM grant program for the neuromuscular consultation staff of the Institute of Myology, and this to conform with the social  objective of the Association, which needs to re-focus on involving other providers and delagating. For example, the AFM doctor responsible for diagnosis based on biopsy readings is not paid by AFM any longer, but by AP-HP, from March 2004.

 

 

The convention, signed on 29th December, defines the conditions of the cooperation between AFM and Inserm with a view to ensure the functioning of Inserm Unit 582 within the Institute of Myology. This cooperation translates into the reception of staff and the joint management of the equipment, or its availability via one of the two partners. This convention has a scientific annexe and stipulates an evaluation of the scientific work by a joint AFM/Inserm pilot committee.

 

 

A framework convention formalises a long-standing cooperation between the UTT and the laboratory of physiology. The signature of endorsements is planned as part of a grant from the Réseau National « Technologies pour la Santé » (RNTS)  for the surveillance of static and dynamic postures of elderly people living at home and the prevention of falls.