Muscular dystrophy (MD) refers to a group of more than 30 inherited diseases that cause muscle weakness and muscle loss. Some forms of MD appear in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until adulthood or even middle age. The NICHD is one of many federal agencies and NIH Institutes working to understand this neuromuscular disease. The NICHD supports Senator Paul D. Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research Centers, in collaboration with the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, which bring together expertise, infrastructure, and resources to address major questions and support research collaborations in MD.
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