Myology research highlights

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the second most common neuromuscular disorder in children. There are 3 types (from I to III) depending on the age of onset of symptoms and the maximum functional abilities reached. Adult patients most often have SMA type II or III who have “aged” and much more rarely type I or … [Read more]

The Biogen laboratory that develops nusinersen (Spinraza®) communicated at the annual international Cure SMA conference (which took place in virtual mode from June 10 to 12, 2020) new results from the NURTURE trial, conducted in 25 infants with presymptomatic SMA. After treatment with nusinersen started before the age of 6 weeks and continued continuously up … [Read more]

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the second most common neuromuscular disorder in children. There are 3 types (from I to III) depending on the age of onset of symptoms and the maximum functional abilities reached. Especially in types I and II, SMA is the cause of paralysis, often progressing to respiratory failure and severe orthopedic deformities, … [Read more]

Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are characterized by their great diversity, both clinically and genetically. They affect children as well as adults and have in common the impairment of one or more elements making up the motor unit. The vast majority are linked to genetic defects, especially in the pediatric population, but it can have another origin, … [Read more]

The Israeli population, encompassing 9 million citizens, is comprised of diverse communities. The Ministry of Health genetic screening program for reproductive purposes was introduced in 2013. This program is mainly aimed at severe incurable diseases with high rates of infant and childhood morbidity and/or mortality, with a carrier frequency of at least 1:60 and/or a … [Read more]

Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) are characterized by their great diversity, both clinically and genetically. They affect children as well as adults and have in common the impairment of one or more elements making up the motor unit. The vast majority are linked to genetic defects, especially in the pediatric population, but it can have another origin, … [Read more]

Mutations in the LMNA gene, encoding the nuclear envelope A-type lamins, are responsible for muscular dystrophies, the most severe form being the LMNA-related congenital muscular dystrophy (L-CMD), with severe defects in myonucleus integrity. The authors previously reported that L-CMD mutations compromise the ability of muscle stem cells to modulate the yes-associated protein (YAP), a pivotal … [Read more]

High-throughput transcriptomics measures mRNA levels for thousands of genes in a biological sample. Most gene expression studies aim to identify genes that are differentially expressed between different biological conditions, such as between healthy and diseased states. However, these data can also be used to identify genes that are co-expressed within a biological condition. Gene co-expression … [Read more]

The non-dystrophic myotonias (NDMs) are rare muscle hyperexcitability disorders caused by gain-of-function mutations in the SCN4A gene or loss-of-function mutations in the CLCN1 gene. Clinically, they are characterized by myotonia, defined as delayed muscle relaxation after voluntary contraction, which leads to symptoms of muscle stiffness, pain, fatigue, and weakness. Diagnosis is based on history and … [Read more]

What if the next generation of successful treatments was hidden in the current pharmacopoeia? Identifying new indications for existing drugs, also called the drug repurposing or drug rediscovery process, is a highly efficient and low-cost strategy. First reported almost a century ago, drug repurposing has emerged as a valuable therapeutic option for diseases that do … [Read more]