This section addresses medical management of the many symptoms of adult-onset MMD1 and MMD2, as well as juvenile-onset MMD1. These three forms of MMD share similar medical management strategies.
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?
As yet, there’s no specific treatment that “gets at the root” of type 1 or type 2 myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD1 or MMD2). Treatment is aimed at managing symptoms and minimizing disability.
This section first addresses medical management of the many symptoms of adult-onset MMD1/MMD2 and juvenile-onset MMD1. Not everyone will require all these aspects of medical management, and some symptoms may first appear or worsen as a person grows older.
Description:
MDA leads the search for treatments and therapies for myotonic muscular dystrophy (MMD). The Association also provides comprehensive supports and expert clinical care for those living with MMD.
In this section, you’ll find up-to-date information about myotonic muscular dystrophy, as well as many helpful resources. This information has been compiled with input from researchers, physicians and people affected by the disease.
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.