2. Muscular Dystrophy Facts
• Muscular Dystrophy (MD) is a genetic disorder that
causes weakness in the muscles that allow your body
to move.
• MD can be diagnosed via muscular biopsy.
• MD refers to a group of genetic or hereditary
disorders that destroy the muscles
• MD varies from the age of onset, the muscles that
initially attack and the rate of progression.
• Specific symptoms include: wasting of muscles, poor
balance, pain in the calves, limited range of
movement, joint contractures, and vision problems.
4. Dystrophin
• Dystrophin deficiency has been
definitively established as one of the root
causes of the general class of myopathies
collectively referred to as muscular
dystrophy. The large cytosolic protein was
first identified in 1987 by Louis M. Kunkel,
after the 1986 discovery of the mutated
gene that causes Duchenne muscular
dystrophy (DMD).
5. There are several types of Muscular Dystrophy
Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Becker muscular dystrophy
Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy
Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy
Mytonic dystrophy
Congenital muscular dystrophy
7. Duchenne’s
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is
the most common type and is caused
by a defect with the gene that makes a
protein called dystrophin. Without the
protein, the muscles break down and a
person gradually becomes weaker.
8. DMD
DMD affects boys and usually begins
somewhere between ages 2-6. By age 10-12,
kids often need to use a wheelchair. The heart
may also be affected, so they need to be
monitored closely by a cardio-pulmonary
specialist. They can also develop curvature of the
spine and tightness in their joints.
Unfortunately, over time, the muscles that
control their breathing become weaker and
they may need a ventilator to breathe. People
with this type of MD usually do not survive
beyond their late teens or early adulthood.
9. This graph shows the total number of publications written about “Mucsular
Dystrophy, Duchenne” by year, and weather “Muscular Dystrophy,
Duchenne” was a major or minor topic of these publications. Publications
written by people in UCS Profiles.
10. Links to
Muscular Dystrophy Resources
http://profiles.ucsf.edu/display/349973
http;//mda.org/
www.helpful-health.com/diseases/muscular-dystrophy
11. References
Mickey Lieberman uses his diverse medical background
and experience to research helpful health information on
numerous diseases and illnesses and provides useful resources
for over 100 different medical conditions.
Citation: Disabled World News (2009-02-27) - Muscular
Dystrophy is not just one disease the term refers to a group of
genetic or hereditary disorders that destroy the muscles: