AAN Releases Guidelines for IVIG in Some Neuromuscular Diseases

The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has released new guidelines on the use of a treatment called intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) in various neuromuscular disorders.

Self-Portrait - Laura Robles

Artist: 
Laura Robles

Laura has attended the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh and Milwaukee and has been studying painting, illustration and photography.

Why Does It Take So Long To Go from Mouse to Man?

John Porter from the National Institutes of Health likes to start talks by noting, “It’s a great time to be a mouse with a neuromuscular disease.” Exciting research results are regularly reported, where a treatment appears to cure one neuromuscular disease or another in a mouse — yet there are few treatments available today for people with any of these diseases, and only a few treatments in human clinical trials. Why does it take so long?

Jason Peck: Artist with DM Teaches Others Online

Jason Peck’s memory of his childhood has some missing images: running, jumping, swinging, and sliding into home.

Although Peck, who received a dermatomyositis diagnosis at age 4, missed out on playing ball in the backyard with his buddies, he discovered early on that he had a talent his speedy friends didn’t — the ability to draw rather well. And he’s never looked back.

Laura Robles

Location

Milwaukee, WI

Laura attended the University of Wisconsin in Oshkosh and Milwaukee, and studied painting, illustration and photography.

Full name: 
Laura Robles

Self-Portrait - Laura Robles

Artist: 
Laura Robles
Disease: 
Dermatomyositis (DM)
Medium: 
Watercolor

Jason Peck

Location

Memphis, TN

Jason created this artwork, his first oil painting, at age 14 while attending White Station High School. He’s received numerous art awards in local competitions.

Full name: 
Jason Peck

I Believe

Artist: 
Jason Peck
Medium: 
Oil

Living With

Dear Friends:

The first time I heard the word "dermatomyositis," I had to have it repeated and then spelled out for me.

Robin Chavez
Photo of Robin Chavez by Christian Steiner

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Clinical Trials

About clinical trials

A clinical trial is a test in humans of an experimental medication or therapy. Clinical trials are experiments, not treatments, and participation requires careful consideration.

Although it's possible to benefit from participating in a clinical trial, it's also possible that no benefit — or even harm — may occur. Keep your MDA clinic doctor informed about any clinical trial participation. (Note that MDA has no ability to influence who is chosen to participate in a clinical trial.)

Research

Researchers supported by MDA are studying the underlying mechanisms that cause inflammatory myopathies, such as dermatomyositis (DM).

Several MDA projects are centered around understanding precisely what triggers the immune system to mistakenly attack muscle tissue, with the ultimate goal of stopping this type of attack.

Some MDA-funded researchers are developing cellular models of muscle injury in DM and are screening these models to learn the basic mechanisms by which muscle injury occurs in this disease.

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