Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is one of the most common and severe of the inherited dystrophies, with an incidence of 1 in 3 500 live, male births worldwide. Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) has a lower incidence of 1:14 000 - 18 000 boys and a milder progression and longer life expectancy. Over the last two decades, better understanding of the underlying disease aetiology as well as major advances in medical technology have brought about significantly improved genetic diagnosis and clinical care for B/DMD patients. Exciting developments in the field of gene-based therapies have once again put B/DMD in the limelight, with renewed focus on the importance of comprehensive genetic testing protocols. We present a historical overview of the medical and molecular service for B/DMD offered over the last three decades in South Africa, specifically in the Western Cape, from a clinical as well as a laboratory perspective.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2016.v106i6.10999 | DOI Listing |
JCI Insight
January 2025
Institute of Muscle Biology and Cachexia, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, Houston, United States of America.
Skeletal muscle regeneration in adults is predominantly driven by satellite cells. Loss of satellite cell pool and function leads to skeletal muscle wasting in many conditions and disease states. Here, we demonstrate that the levels of fibroblast growth factor-inducible 14 (Fn14) were increased in satellite cells after muscle injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Genomics
January 2025
Zhanjiang Experimental Station, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Zhanjiang, 524013, China.
Background: The Leizhou Black Goat (LZBG), a prominent breed in tropical China's meat goat industry, frequently exhibits inherent muscle atrophy and malnutrition-related traits. Particularly, muscles critical for support, such as the legs, often display severe symptoms. This study aimed to investigate the differential genes and signaling pathways influencing muscle development and atrophy across various muscle locations in LZBG from a muscular atrophy-affected family.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBrain Behav Immun Health
February 2025
Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University College Cork, Western Road, Cork, Ireland.
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), an X-linked neuromuscular disorder, characterised by progressive immobility, chronic inflammation and premature death, is caused by the loss of the mechano-transducing signalling molecule, dystrophin. In non-contracting cells, such as neurons, dystrophin is likely to have a functional role in synaptic plasticity, anchoring post-synaptic receptors. Dystrophin-expressing hippocampal neurons are key to cognitive functions such as emotions, learning and the consolidation of memories.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Mol Neurosci
January 2025
Interdisciplinary Centre for Innovations in Biotechnology and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.
Introduction: To further advance our understanding of Muscular Dystrophies (MDs) and Spinocerebellar Ataxias (SCAs), it is necessary to identify the biological patterns associated with disease pathology. Although progress has been made in the fields of genetics and transcriptomics, there is a need for proteomics and metabolomics studies. The present study aimed to be the first to document serum metabolic signatures of MDs (DMD, BMD, and LGMD 2A) SCAs (SCA 1-3), from a South Asian perspective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Graduate Course in Medicine (Pathological Anatomy), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Muscular dystrophies (MD) are a group of hereditary diseases marked by progressive muscle loss, leading to weakness and degeneration of skeletal muscles. These conditions often result from structural defects in the Dystrophin-Glycoprotein Complex (DGC), as seen in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD). Since MDs currently have no cure, research has focused on identifying potential therapeutic targets to improve patients' quality of life.
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