44 Projects support new drug development, insights into neuromuscular disease Tucson, Arizona (PRWEB) February 07, 2013 MDA awarded 44 grants totaling more than $13 million, most of which took effect Feb. 1. The grants encompass a range of diseases covered by the Association, and include innovative approaches to basic research and drug development, which may open new avenues for possible therapeutic treatments. "We're excited to award a set of grants covering such an important and comprehensive range of topics in the field of neuromuscular disease research," said MDA Vice President of Research Jane Larkindale. "Many of the new projects stand to have a great impact on the state of science not only in a single disease category but for many of the diseases under MDAs umbrella." Some of the projects funded by the new grants will focus on understanding the relationship between specific genetic mutations and disease manifestations. While MDA-funded research has made tremendous advances in identifying genes and genetic defects that relate to neuromuscular diseases, there are still unanswered questions about how those genetic defects cause specific disease characteristics. In the effort to identify new therapeutic targets, several of the grants will fund early-stage testing of specific therapeutic hypotheses. … Continue reading →

MENLO PARK, Calif., Feb. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation (MDF) has awarded two $100,000 grants to postdoctoral Fellows working in universities to encourage basic research in the management, treatment and cure of myotonic dystrophy (DM). Each of the 2013-2014 recipients will receive $50,000 a year for two years. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130207/DC56674LOGO) This award cycle brings MDF's total research funding to over $1.5M and builds on the Foundation's commitment to increasing the number of investigators focused on DM research. To date, MDF Fellows have gone on to attract additional research funding from organizations such as the NIH, have helped influence interest in DM research at major pharmaceutical companies, and have risen to senior positions at academic and clinical settings across the US since the program was founded in 2009. The 2013-2014 awardees are: Dr. Ayal Hendel, Ph.D. CTG/CAG repeat tracts represent the genetic basis for Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1). DM1 etiology is caused by the expansion of CTG/CAG repeats. Expanded CTG/CAG repeats have been shown to be prone to double-strand breaks (DSBs), and the repair of the DSBs leads mainly to repeat contractions. Dr. Hendel's research will examine the contribution of DSB repair to the stimulation of repeat … Continue reading →

Swimmer Travels to Capitol Hill to Urge Congress toContinue Support of People with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy WASHINGTON, Feb.7, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), the leading non-profit in the United States focused entirely on Duchenne muscular dystrophy (Duchenne), welcomes 11-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte to their Annual Advocacy Conference in Washington, D.C., February 10-12, 2013. Lochte, one of the top American performers at the 2012 Olympic Games in London and a world record holder, is trading in his goggles and swim cap for a briefing binder and suit and tie to support families impacted by Duchenne. (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100119/DC39975LOGO) Lochte, 28, has been a volunteer spokesman for PPMD since the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Joining PPMD's fight to end Duchenne is more than just a good cause for him; Lochte's uncle, Ron Sweitzer , had a brother who died from the disease. In turn, Ryan has made ending Duchenne a priority. To help achieve this goal, Lochte will return to Washington, D.C. with more than 100 advocates on February 11th to urge Congress to reauthorize The Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Community Assistance, Research and Education Amendments of 2013 (MD-CARE Act). The MD-CARE Act was first enacted in 2001 … Continue reading →

Public release date: 7-Feb-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ] Contact: Charles Casey charles.casey@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu 916-734-9048 University of California - Davis Health System Jacob Rutt is a bright 11-year-old who likes to draw detailed maps in his spare time. But the budding geographer has a hard time with physical skills most children take for granted -- running and climbing trees are beyond him, and even walking can be difficult. He was diagnosed with a form of muscular dystrophy known as Duchenne when he was two years old. The disease affects about 1 in 3,500 newborns -- mostly boys -- worldwide. It usually becomes apparent in early childhood, as weakened skeletal muscles cause delays in milestones such as sitting and walking. Children usually become wheelchair-dependent during their teens. As heart muscle is increasingly affected, the disease becomes life threatening and many patients die from heart failure in their 20s. Today, Jacob is one of 51 children participating in a nationwide clinical trial for a new type treatment that could offer help to those suffering from devastating neuromuscular disease. Clinical researchers at UC Davis Medical Center and a handful other research centers around the nation are testing a high-tech drug designed to fix … Continue reading →