What are NMDs?

Muscular Dystrophy Canada provides Programs and Services, Research and Advocacy to support people impacted by neuromuscular disorders. Neuromuscular disorders are defined as health conditions that are caused by spelling changes in the genetic code (mutations) or changes in the autoimmune system that in turn impact muscles and/or the nerves that connect to muscles.

Muscular dystrophies are a group of disorders and are one type of neuromuscular disorder. Other types of neuromuscular disorders also under MDC’s umbrella include myopathies, neuromuscular junction disorders, peripheral neuropathies and lower motor neuron disorders.

Neuromuscular Disorders include the following disorder groups:

• Muscle (such as muscular dystrophies, hereditary or immune mediated myopathies),
• Neuromuscular Junction disorders (such as hereditary or immune mediated myasthenic conditions)
• Peripheral nervous system disorders (such as hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies and immune-mediated neuropathies; lower motor neuron disorders)

See a full list of all of the disorders that fall under MDC’s umbrella. While some types of neuromuscular disorders are first evident in infancy or early childhood, other types may not appear until later in life. The severity of symptoms, the age at which the symptoms appear, how fast the symptoms progress, and whether they can be passed down to other family members are all factors that differ among the various forms of neuromuscular disorders. Learn more by navigating through the specific types of NMDs.

In general, neuromuscular disorders can be progressive, causing the muscles to gradually weaken over time; however, some types have a more stagnant or cyclical progression. People diagnosed with a neuromuscular disorder may lose the ability to do things that are often taken for granted, like brushing their teeth, feeding themselves or climbing stairs. Some people will lose the ability to walk or breathe on their own. In some neuromuscular disorders, not only are the skeletal muscles affected, but also smooth muscles around intestines affecting digestion or swallowing. Muscles of the heart and diaphragm, which are important for breathing and circulation, are also affected.

Some neuromuscular disorders can be life-limiting and there are currently no cures. However, rehabilitation strategies such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other supportive therapies and treatments have been helpful. Life-changing therapies and treatment are available for certain types of NMDs (e.g., spinal muscular atrophy) and there are drugs in the pipeline and development and in the clinical trial phases. Early and accurate diagnosis is important to ensure timely and tailored treatment and care. In addition, receiving an exact diagnosis aids in understanding the implications of the disorder and aids with family planning. If you have any questions about whether a health condition is neuromuscular disorder, please contact us at research@muscle.ca.

If you or someone you know are impacted by a neuromuscular disorder and are looking for more information or would like to access our Programs and Services, please contact us.