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Lead investigator

Research Sites & Affiliations

• McMaster University, Hamilton, ON

Budget: $40,000

Disorders: Myotonic Dystrophy

Research Areas: Understand Diagnosis and Disorder Progression ,   Discover Novel Treatments & Therapies

Abstract: 

Grant Summary: Myotonic dystrophy is a neuromuscular condition that makes muscles very weak and unhealthy. There are two types of Myotonic dystrophy, sometimes called ‘DM’-Type DM1 and Type DM2. DM1 and DM2 have similar problems – poor muscle health. Poor muscle health in this condition may be caused by poor muscle cells. Muscle cells come from special cells called ‘stem cells’. Finding out ways to improve muscle stem cell function will help improve muscle health. It has been shown that exercise can improve DM1 muscle by activating stem cells. However, the researcher does not know if these findings also apply to DM2 muscle. This work will examine the effects of the DM2 on muscle. They will test if interventions that are beneficial for DM1 muscle can be applied to DM2 muscle. They believe that this funded work will help further understand the DM2 disease and identify ways to manage DM2.

Impact: