Neuromuscular Junction Diseases

Turning neuromuscular disease research into treatments as quickly and effectively as possible was the overarching theme of dozens of formal presentations, nearly 200 scientific posters, and countless informal conversations at the MDA Scientific Conference, April 21-24.

A palpable sense of excitement pervaded the sold-out event thanks to the unprecedented number of experimental treatments in clinical trials for neuromuscular diseases, and the unique opportunity the conference provided for information-sharing and collaboration among scientific professionals from many disciplines.

Drug development and identifying new leads for possible drug development are in the news for five neuromuscular diseases in MDA’s program.

An international patientregistry (database) is gathering information about children and adults with any form of congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD), a congenital myasthenic syndrome or a congenital myopathy (congenital muscle disease), with the goals of promoting research and improving care in these disorders.

As scientists learn more about what our DNA can tell us about health and disease, public interest has intensified and genetic testing has become increasingly common. In response, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) have released new guidelines to address updated technologies and new uses of genetic testing and screening in children.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded 44 new grants totaling $13.6 million to advance the understanding and treatment of neuromuscular diseases. The new grants, most of which took effect Feb. 1, encompass a range of diseases covered by MDA’s research program, and they support innovative approaches to basic research and new drug development.

In addition to addressing 16 specific neuromuscular diseases under MDA’s umbrella, the grants also fund research into muscular dystrophy in general, and research into muscle physiology related to neuromuscular disease.

The experimental drug tirasemtiv has shown promise in a phase 2a clinical trial in 32 people with myasthenia gravis (MG). Improvements in general and respiratory muscle function occurred in response to the medication.

Six hours after receiving a single, oral dose of tirasemtiv, study participants showed improvements on a standardized scale of MG severity (the Quantitative MG score) and in forced vital capacity, a measurement of respiratory function.

Researchers funded in part by MDA say a gene-based therapy designed to treat myasthenia gravis (MG) has shown promise in mice with an MG-like disease.

The research team was led by Dan Drachman, a longtime MDA research grantee at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, who also co-directs the MDA neuromuscular disease clinic at that institution. Drachman, a professor of neurology, has a special interest in MG, which is an autoimmune neuromuscular disease.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association has awarded 33 new grants totaling $10,684,481 to fund research projects focused on uncovering the causes of, and developing therapies for, neuromuscular disease.

MDA's Board of Directors reviewed and approved the new grants based on recommendations from the Association's Scientific and Medical Advisory Committees, and the grants took effect Aug. 1.

If you're the parent of a young child who uses a power mobility device, researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children — both in western Canada — are interested in hearing from you. The study is open to U.S. residents.

The 2012 annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, held in New Orleans April 21-28, included findings related to myasthenia gravis (MG).