The National Institute of Arthritis...

The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and pat have established a national registry for myotonic dystrophy (DM) and facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) according to a Dec 11 2000 just discovereds release from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Registry scientists will identify and classify patients with clinically diagnosed forms of DM and FSHD and store their medical and family histories.

The registry will be a central information source for researchers studying these diseases. Recommendations regarding enrollment criteria, monitoring and improving ways to recruit patients and investigators, and assessing programs will be made at the registry's scientific advisory committee. This committee also will revise and dilate data collection and handling systems and determine possible clinical studies.

There are nine symbols of muscular dystrophy, including DM and FSHD These diseases can be lay opened at birth, may be passed from individual generation to the next, and may cause progressive, disabling weakness. Additionally, DM may spring in sudden death.

Congenital, juvenile, adult, and late attack are the four types of DM The disease is marked through a slow progression of weakness and muscle wasting affecting the face, feet hands, neck and glandular a whole Muscles are unable to relax after contraction. as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but males and females may be affected with DM and the cause of the disease is unknown.

In contrast, FSHD may progres either slowly or rapidly. It is marked by means of weakness in the facial muscles and weakness and wasting of the shoulders and upper arms. as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but males and females may be affected. A child whose parent is affected has a 50% risk of inheriting the disease. The cause of FSHD the third most numerous common genetic disease of skeletal muscle, is unknown.

popularly patient enrollment for the registry is scheduled to begin in the fall of 2001 The throw is funded under the NIH contract N01-AR-02250.

National Registry Established for sum of two units Muscular Dystrophy Types (news release, Bethesda, Md: National Institutes of Health) 1-2 Available from http://www.nih.gov/news/pr /dec2000/niams-11.htm. Accessed 11 Dec 2000

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