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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

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michaela shaffer

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a genetic disorder caused by the absence of the dystrophin protein. It is characterized by progressive muscle degeneration and weakness. Symptoms begin in early childhood and worsen over time, often resulting in the need for a wheelchair in the early teens. While there is no cure, treatment focuses on managing symptoms and complications to improve quality of life. Research is ongoing to develop new treatments such as stem cell therapy and gene therapy.

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Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Michaela Shaffer Periods 1 and 2 Genetic Disorders
Define the most common of several childhood muscular dystrophies , it is an inherited disorder ( X-linked recessive ) with progressive degeneration of muscle , onset is generally before age 6 years People with DMD lose muscle all there lives , but it is usually not noticed until a parent or caretaker finds unusual walking and/or talking around the age of 3
Incidence Rates Although girls rarely get this disease , females can still have some of the symptoms like weaker muscles in the back, legs and arms that fatigue easily . Some may need a wheelchair or other mobility aids . Carriers may have heart problems, and can have shortness of breath or failure to do moderate exercise. The heart problems, if untreated , can be quite serious, even life-threatening * About 1 in every 3,500 boys is born with DMD *
The figure shown above is the pictorial representation of the incidence of DMD.  The figure shown below is the pictorial representation of the incidence of DMD in boys. 
Cause DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene that produces an important muscle protein called dystrophin , which is not produced The Muscle-Fiber Membrane Muscles are made up of bundles of fibers (cells). A group of interdependent proteins along the membrane surrounding each fiber helps to keep muscle cells working properly. When one of these proteins, dystrophin, is absent, the result is Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
How boys are affected
How girls are affected
 
Alternative Names
Symptoms Early Delayed Onset Walking Difficulty in performing a standing jump Waddling when walking Difficulty standing up Enlarged Calves Later Difficulty getting up from a chair Loss of ability to climb stairs Wide gaited walk w/ balance problems
More Symptoms Fatigue Mental retardation (possible, but does not worsen over time) Muscle weakness Begins in legs and pelvis, also occurs less severely in the arms, neck, and other areas of the body Difficulty with motor skills (running, hopping, jumping) Frequent falls Rapidly worsening weakness Progressive difficulty walking. Ability to walk may be lost by age 12 By age 10, the person may need braces for walking. By age 12, most patients are confined to a wheelchair.
Possible Complications Cardiomyopathy Congestive heart failure (rare) Deformities Heart arrhythmias (rare) Mental impairment (varies, usually minimal) Permanent, progressive disability Decreased mobility Decreased ability to care for self Pneumonia or other respiratory infections Respiratory failure
Treatment Treatment varies on your child's age , overall health , and medical history the extent of the condition the type of condition your child's tolerance for specific medications , procedures , or therapies expectations for the course of the condition your opinion or preference
Treatment Can include... physical therapy positioning aids - used to help the child sit, lie, or stand braces and splints - used to prevent deformity, promote support, or provide protection medications nutritional counseling psychological counseling
Treatment There is no cure yet for DMD, however case and symptom management is currently “ successful ” Right now there are many clinical trials in process , like administering Albuterol (beta adrenergic receptor agonist drug that increases strength and muscle mass ) also, they want to treat with Utrophin (sometimes can be substituted for dystrophin ) Embryonic stem cell transplants is another treatment they are looking into.   It is hoped that injecting healthy, nonspecialized stem cells into DMD victims will cause the stem cells to specialize and produce structurally and functionally correct dystrophin .   If dystrophin can be produced , it may slow the progression of the disease, or cure it altogether.
All in all , what really kills the people affected by DMD is the failure of the heart muscles … (death usually occurs by age 25)
Support Groups Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Support Group MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association
Works Cited http:// depts.washington.edu/pwdlearn/web/glossary/glossary.htm http://www.mda.org/publications/fa-dmdbmd-family.html http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/overview.html http://www.ikm.jmu.edu/Buttsjl/ISAT493/Duchenne%20Muscular%20Dystrophy/duchennesymptoms.html http://genetics.kaiser.org/home/genetics101highlights.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19097.htm

More Related Content

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

  • 1. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Michaela Shaffer Periods 1 and 2 Genetic Disorders
  • 2. Define the most common of several childhood muscular dystrophies , it is an inherited disorder ( X-linked recessive ) with progressive degeneration of muscle , onset is generally before age 6 years People with DMD lose muscle all there lives , but it is usually not noticed until a parent or caretaker finds unusual walking and/or talking around the age of 3
  • 3. Incidence Rates Although girls rarely get this disease , females can still have some of the symptoms like weaker muscles in the back, legs and arms that fatigue easily . Some may need a wheelchair or other mobility aids . Carriers may have heart problems, and can have shortness of breath or failure to do moderate exercise. The heart problems, if untreated , can be quite serious, even life-threatening * About 1 in every 3,500 boys is born with DMD *
  • 4. The figure shown above is the pictorial representation of the incidence of DMD.  The figure shown below is the pictorial representation of the incidence of DMD in boys. 
  • 5. Cause DMD is caused by a mutation in the gene that produces an important muscle protein called dystrophin , which is not produced The Muscle-Fiber Membrane Muscles are made up of bundles of fibers (cells). A group of interdependent proteins along the membrane surrounding each fiber helps to keep muscle cells working properly. When one of these proteins, dystrophin, is absent, the result is Duchenne muscular dystrophy.
  • 6. How boys are affected
  • 7. How girls are affected
  • 8.  
  • 10. Symptoms Early Delayed Onset Walking Difficulty in performing a standing jump Waddling when walking Difficulty standing up Enlarged Calves Later Difficulty getting up from a chair Loss of ability to climb stairs Wide gaited walk w/ balance problems
  • 11. More Symptoms Fatigue Mental retardation (possible, but does not worsen over time) Muscle weakness Begins in legs and pelvis, also occurs less severely in the arms, neck, and other areas of the body Difficulty with motor skills (running, hopping, jumping) Frequent falls Rapidly worsening weakness Progressive difficulty walking. Ability to walk may be lost by age 12 By age 10, the person may need braces for walking. By age 12, most patients are confined to a wheelchair.
  • 12. Possible Complications Cardiomyopathy Congestive heart failure (rare) Deformities Heart arrhythmias (rare) Mental impairment (varies, usually minimal) Permanent, progressive disability Decreased mobility Decreased ability to care for self Pneumonia or other respiratory infections Respiratory failure
  • 13. Treatment Treatment varies on your child's age , overall health , and medical history the extent of the condition the type of condition your child's tolerance for specific medications , procedures , or therapies expectations for the course of the condition your opinion or preference
  • 14. Treatment Can include... physical therapy positioning aids - used to help the child sit, lie, or stand braces and splints - used to prevent deformity, promote support, or provide protection medications nutritional counseling psychological counseling
  • 15. Treatment There is no cure yet for DMD, however case and symptom management is currently “ successful ” Right now there are many clinical trials in process , like administering Albuterol (beta adrenergic receptor agonist drug that increases strength and muscle mass ) also, they want to treat with Utrophin (sometimes can be substituted for dystrophin ) Embryonic stem cell transplants is another treatment they are looking into.   It is hoped that injecting healthy, nonspecialized stem cells into DMD victims will cause the stem cells to specialize and produce structurally and functionally correct dystrophin .   If dystrophin can be produced , it may slow the progression of the disease, or cure it altogether.
  • 16. All in all , what really kills the people affected by DMD is the failure of the heart muscles … (death usually occurs by age 25)
  • 17. Support Groups Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Support Group MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association
  • 18. Works Cited http:// depts.washington.edu/pwdlearn/web/glossary/glossary.htm http://www.mda.org/publications/fa-dmdbmd-family.html http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/duchenne-muscular-dystrophy/overview.html http://www.ikm.jmu.edu/Buttsjl/ISAT493/Duchenne%20Muscular%20Dystrophy/duchennesymptoms.html http://genetics.kaiser.org/home/genetics101highlights.htm http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19097.htm