Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted.
The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov.
Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at OPM.gov.
Muscular Dystrophy
MD refers to a group of more than 30 genetic diseases characterized by muscle weakness and muscle loss, which lead to reduced motor function and coordination. MD progresses or gets worse over time. Some forms of MD appear in infancy or childhood, while others may not appear until adulthood or middle age.
NICHD works with other federal agencies and NIH institutes to understand this neuromuscular disease. In collaboration with other NIH institutes and centers, NICHD supports the Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Centers, which bring together expertise, infrastructure, and resources to address major questions and support research collaborations in MD.
General Information
MD is a group of diseases that cause muscle weakness and loss of muscle mass and tissue. MD symptoms get worse over time.
MD is caused by gene mutations that affect the proteins in muscles. These mutations are usually inherited but also can occur spontaneously.
Common types of MD include Duchenne, Becker, myotonic, facioscapulohumeral, and limb-girdle. Muscle weakness and loss are symptoms of all MD types.
Healthcare providers usually must do several tests, such as genetic, blood, and muscle tests, to diagnose MD. Additional testing can help identify the type of MD.
There is currently no known way to stop or reverse any form of MD, but therapies and medications can treat some symptoms.
Research
NICHD conducts and supports research on MD and on how muscles grow and function.
Find a Study
NICHD conducts and supports a variety of clinical research projects related to MD.
More Information
Find answers to other common questions about MD, such as whether newborns can be screened for the condition.
Links to websites of groups that study or provide information about MD.
BACK TO TOP