Patricia Inácio, PhD,  science writer—

Bone health varies greatly among patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), according to the results of a small group study, and tests for strength and functionality may identify those with higher risks for decreased bone health. The study “Bone Health in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy: A Cross-Sectional Study” was published…

Administration of Inspra (eplerenone) to young boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) improves their heart function and stabilizes it in older boys, a recent study shows. The study “Eplerenone for early cardiomyopathy in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: results of a two-year open-label extension trial” was published in the Orphanet…

The natural sugar fructose, commonly found in fruits and vegetables, may improve a type of treatment for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), according to researchers. The study, “Fructose Promotes Uptake and Activity of Oligonucleotides With Different Chemistries in a Context-dependent Manner in mdx Mice,” was published in the journal Molecular…

Two non-invasive strategies for measuring muscle function and its properties, electromechanical delay and ultrasound shear wave elastography, may help detect muscle impairments and assist in monitoring Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patients’ responses to therapy. The study “Effects of Duchenne muscular dystrophy on muscle stiffness and response to electrically-induced muscle…

A Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) patient who is now in his 50s gained the notice of researchers, who say his case could illustrate the benefits of noninvasive mechanical ventilation in patients with well-maintained cardiac function. It is the first report of a patient living into his sixth decade. The report, “New Survival…

Long-term therapy with daily glucocorticoid therapy can improve clinical outcomes of young patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) without serious side effects, according to recent research. In “Long-Term Outcome of Interdisciplinary Management of Patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Receiving Daily Glucocorticoid Treatment,” researchers performed a retrospective study with 97 DMD…

Scientists are using the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technique to excise the defective sequence of the gene underlying Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and replace it with the correct sequence for restoring healthy gene function in these patients. “We want to use genetically corrected stem cells to replace the stem cell pool and…

Rapamycin administered to a mouse model of dystroglycanopathy, a particular form of muscular dystrophy, worked to reduce fibrosis and inflammation, researchers reported, while enhancing muscle strength. The study, “Four-week rapamycin treatment improves muscular dystrophy in a fukutin-deficient mouse model of dystroglycanopathy,” was published in the journal Skeletal Muscle. Eystrophin-glycoprotein…

A retrospective analysis of the brain structure by MRI shows alterations in white matter in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) disease. These findings suggest the brain is involved in DM1 in addition to the muscular and systemic symptoms already affecting these patients. The study, “MRI findings and cognitive…

Researchers have found that certain cognitive functions, specifically those requiring sequential processing of auditory and visual information, do not improve with age in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). The study, “Profile of cognitive function in adults with duchenne muscular dystrophy,” was published in the journal Brain and…