Because there is no known cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, current clinical trials offer treatments in a manner that allow hope for improvement of patients’ clinical outcome and thereby increasing survival rate. Due to the ongoing clinical trials at our center, we’ve attracted not only patients from our state but also neighboring states as well.
Muscular dystrophy is a group of genetic diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass.
Damaged muscles become progressively weaker. Most people who have the condition eventually need a wheelchair. Other symptoms include trouble breathing or swallowing.
Muscular dystrophy is caused by mutations in the genes responsible for healthy muscle structure and function. The mutations mean that the cells that should maintain your muscles can no longer fulfill this role, leading to muscle weakness and progressive disability.
The first step in diagnosing muscular dystrophy (MD) is a visit to a healthcare provider for a physical exam. The healthcare provider will ask a series of questions about the patient’s family history and medical history, including any problems affecting the muscles that the patient may be experiencing.
The healthcare provider may order tests to determine whether the problems are a result of MD and, if so, what form of this disorder. The tests may also rule out other problems that could cause muscle weakness, such as surgery, toxic exposure, medications, or other muscle diseases.
Medications, therapy, breathing aids, or surgery may help maintain function, but lifespan is often shortened.
The Muscular Dystrophy Association
For more information about available research studies, please contact the research team at: 678 - 883 - 6897