Myology research highlights
RSS feedRespiratory complications are still common in myasthenic crises
A multicentre study conducted in Germany has provided a better understanding of the determinants of respiratory complications during acute attacks of myasthenia gravis: 12 centres took part in the study and pooled the clinical data of 197 patients, this corresponded to 217 acute episodes requiring mechanical ventilation in intensive care, 64% of patients had difficulty … [Read more]
Atypical mitochondrial profile in Jokela spinal muscular atrophy
Jokela spinal muscular atrophy (JSMA), named after one of the researchers who identified it, is an ultra-rare variant of SMA not linked to 5q, with a higher prevalence in Finland: the clinical and biochemical data of 11 Finnish patients were compared with those of 26 patients with mitochondriopathies and 28 healthy subjects, all underwent a … [Read more]
A comparative study of different motor function assessment scales in DMD
British specialists in the UK-NorthStar network have published comparative data on three motor function assessment tools used in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD): the “NorthStar” scale, the 10-metre walking speed test and the time taken to rise from a seated position to the ground, their results were compiled and compared in a cohort of 826 DMD … [Read more]
The benefits of using KAFO orthotics in boys with DMD
A retrospective Japanese study analysed the long-term effects of a standing stimulation programme using KAFO orthoses to support the knees, ankles and feet, applied as soon as ankle dorsiflexion fell below 0° and before loss of walking ability. The study included 41 adolescents and young adults with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aged between 15 and 20 … [Read more]
Towards a consensus to establish new criteria for alveolar hypoventilation in children with neuromuscular disorders
A group of fifteen American experts met to share their experience in the field of alveolar hypoventilation, which is frequently observed in neuromuscular disorders in children: an analysis of the literature and the use of the Delphi method during discussions were used to try to reach a consensus, until now, the criteria for hypoventilation have … [Read more]
A meta-analysis of side effects associated with innovative treatments for SMA
Chinese researchers have gone through the data published by the American FDA with great care concerning the clinical and biological safety of three drugs commonly used in the treatment of proximal spinal muscular atrophy linked to the SMN1 gene (SMA): these researchers used a Venn-type comparative method based on data from the FDA’s pharmacovigilance system, … [Read more]
Recurrent compartment syndrome indicative of a genetically determined neuromuscular disease
Compartment syndrome is usually traumatic in origin, leading to muscle tissue damage with secondary necrosis, linked to hyperpressure and the resulting oedema. English and Dutch clinicians report the observations of three patients in whom the final diagnosis of genetic myopathy was made in this context: in one case, it was a myopathy with mutations in … [Read more]
Combination of ribitol and gene therapy shows synergistic effects in LGMD R9 mouse models
American researchers have sought to combine two therapeutic approaches in mouse models of FKRP-related limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type R9 (LGMD R9): oral supplementation with 5% ribitol at five weeks of age, followed four weeks later by administration of a dose of 1e13 vg/kg (low) or 5e13 vg/kg (high) of gene therapy (AAV9-FKRP). Compared with mice … [Read more]
A pilot project to detect and manage respiratory problems in pregnant women with neuromuscular disorders
The IT-NEUMA-Preg study was conducted in seven Italian hospitals between 2015 and 2022. Of the 94 pregnant women included : 24 were found to be at risk of developing respiratory disorders likely to have an impact on the pregnancy in progress or in the postnatal period, these women were able to benefit from prevention of … [Read more]
A stem cell model to assess the passage of the blood-brain barrier
British researchers have developed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines to test the permeability of the blood-brain barrier to two therapeutic agents used in several neuromuscular diseases, including spinal muscular atrophy (SMA): three iPSC lines obtained were differentiated into endothelial cells involved in brain microvascularisation, a permeability index (endothelial electrical resistance or TEER) was defined, … [Read more]
