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?

Endocrine myopathies

Too much or too little hormone production from the thyroid gland can result in a myopathy (muscle disease).

Going to the Emergency Room: Tips for People with Neuromuscular Diseases

When a medical emergency strikes — and the patient is a person with a neuromuscular disease— it’s not just getting to the emergency room quickly that’s critical. It’s also critical to ensure the ER staff understands the patient’s special needs caused by muscle disease.

Overview

What are inherited and endocrine myopathies?

Muscles affected by inherited and endocrine myopathies
Myopathies can cause weakness or stiffness in all of the body's voluntary muscles. Because muscles support the body's posture, muscle weakness can lead to skeletal deformities.
Description: 

MDA leads the search for treatments and therapies for inherited and endocrine myopathies. The Association also provides comprehensive supports and expert clinical care for those living with inherited and endocrine myopathies.

In this section, you’ll find up-to-date information about inherited and endocrine myopathies, as well as many helpful resources. This information has been compiled with input from researchers, physicians and people affected by the disease.

Researchers Exploring Disability Perceptions

Researchers at the Psychology of Disability Lab at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor are exploring the social identity of people with disabilities through a short, anonymous, Web-based questionnaire.

The lab's Disability Identity Project is being headed by principal investigator Adena Rottenstein, a doctoral candidate in psychology.

The study closes the week of Aug. 22, 2011.

Study Seeks People With Uncertain MD Diagnoses

The Pros & Cons of Genetic Testing

The Roozebooms
For Rob and Sharla Roozeboom, getting a
new diagnosis helped in family planning.

Getting a Correct Diagnosis in Neuromuscular Disease

*Note: In the print edition of Quest, this article was titled "Rounding Up the Usual -- and Not So Usual -- Suspects."

The scene is familiar to everyone who watches crime dramas. The safe has been opened, and the hotel guests' jewelry and other valuables are missing. What happened, and when, and who's responsible?

MDA in Your Community