Blog Archives

Identification of a slow and gradual decline in muscle strength in GNE myopathy and tailored tools to evaluate it

Characterised by distal muscle weakness, GNE myopathy (also known as Nonaka myopathy, hereditary inclusion body myositis, distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles or quadriceps-sparing myopathy) is caused by abnormalities in the GNE gene, which codes an enzyme involved in sialic acid biosynthesis. To date, only two natural history studies of this disease have been published, one … [Read more]

A new functional scale adapted to LGMD, in particular to dysferlinopathies

Functional scales are very useful in neuromuscular diseases (NMD), for monitoring NMD patients as well as in therapeutic trials where they can be used as outcome measures. They can be generic, such as the measurement of motor function (MFM), or specific to certain diseases or groups of NMD, such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy or spinal … [Read more]

M&M’s – Muscle Monday Seminar – 3 May – Walter Herzog (Canada)

The forgotten filament: titin’s contribution to active force production in skeletal muscle Monday 3 May from 4 to 5 pm. Dr Walter Herzog (Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology and Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, University of Calgary, Adjunct Professor, Department of Surgery and Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Director, Human Performance Lab, Tier I … [Read more]

DMD: gene therapy clinical trial starting in France

A first patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy has received a gene therapy treatment at I-Motion, the paediatric clinical platform for neuromuscular diseases, in the context of a clinical trial conducted by Généthon. A first decisive step! A young boy with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was treated with a gene therapy at I-Motion, in Paris. He is … [Read more]

Reldesemtiv, which does not affect the production of SMN, is effective in type II, III and IV SMA

Reldesemtiv (CK-2127107) is an activator of skeletal muscle troponin, a calcium-sensitive sarcomere protein. By slowing the rate of calcium release in skeletal muscles, it improves their contractility.  Several trials realized in healthy volunteers against placebo have showed its good tolerance and its effectiveness on muscle strength; it is being studied as a potential treatment for … [Read more]

MDA clinical and scientific conference: organized online from March 15 to 18, 2021

This year, the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical and Scientific Conference brought together more than 1,200 participants and 100 speakers “online” from March 15 to 18, 2021. Connected to a virtual platform, everyone could follow videoconferences or watch e-posters on research and development, treatment of neuromuscular diseases, the impact of Covid-19 on neuromuscular diseases. Several … [Read more]

Juvenile dermatomyositis: each specific auto-antibody has its own clinical picture

Juvenile dermatomyositis is the most common inflammatory myopathy in children. In its typical form, it causes as skin lesions and predominantly proximal symmetrical bilateral muscle weakness. Other symptoms (digestive, joint, pulmonary, etc.) can occur and the expression of the disease appears, in fine, quite heterogeneous. A study carried out in Germany confirms this great diversity … [Read more]

M&M’s – Muscle Monday Seminar – 19 April – Benjamin Prosser (USA)

Microtubules in Cardiac Mechanics and Growth Monday 19 April – 2 pm-3 pm Benjamin Prosser (Assistant Professor of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, US) On prior registration for people outside the Institute of Myology: medecine-umrs974-myologie@sorbonne-universite.fr > More information on the presentation and the speaker 

Two cohort studies in CMT 2A

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A (CMT 2A) is one of the most common axonal forms of CMT. It is characterized by great clinical heterogeneity (age of onset of symptoms, severity of the condition, existence of visual, hearing impairment, etc.) and genetic (many abnormalities in the MFN2 gene identified, dominant and recessive transmission possible).  The Inherited Neuropathy … [Read more]

A French team is developing an effective preclinical approach in CMT 1A by combining siRNA and squalene nanoparticles

Type 1A Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease is the most common form of CMT. It is due to a duplication of the PMP22 gene causing overexpression of the PMP22 protein which accumulates in Schwann cells, which disrupts the myelin sheath and slows the transmission of nerve impulses.  French researchers have developed a new approach with a small interfering … [Read more]