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

Proposals exploring the feasibility and advisability of implementating newborn screening for two disorders in MDA's program — Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Pompe disease— were presented to a federal advisory committee in a "virtual" meeting Jan. 31 and Feb. 1, 2013.

The experimental drug AT2220 has shown benefit as an enhancer of enzyme replacement therapy for the metabolic muscle disorder Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency).

The drug, a pharmacological chaperone, is designed to:

Edison Pharmaceuticals has announced it is conducting a clinical trial of its experimental drug EPI-743 in children with the mitochondrial myopathyLeigh syndrome, and is planning a trial of this compound in Friedreich's ataxia (FA).

Biopharmaceutical company Amicus Therapeutics presented updated and encouraging results for its experimental Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency) compound AT2220 this week at the 17th International Congress of the World Muscle Society in Perth, Australia.

A study of 11 children with infantile-onset Pompe disease (acid maltase deficiency) who started enzyme replacement therapy by the time they were 6 months old has shown the treatment can markedly improve the course of the disease, but that residual deficits persist.

MDA is conducting a survey designed to assess the experiences of parents in the United States whose babies underwent newborn screening at the time of birth, with an eye toward the future possibility of newborn screening tests being recommended for certain neuromuscular diseases in which therapy development is advancing rapidly.

New research mouse mimics McArdle disease

In describing our MDA community, I’ve often referred to us as being much like a human body. Our sponsors and volunteers are our backbone, and the families we serve are our heart. Without our sponsors and volunteers, we would collapse; without our heart, we would cease to exist.

MDA is continuously measuring the pulse of our MDA community and at all times is centered on the heart of our effort — you. Here are a few of the ways that MDA is actively seeking your input.