Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Fall 2023
What is DMD?
Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a rare genetic disorder that causes muscle degeneration due to changes in the protein, dystrophin. In most cases, the protein is completely absent. Dystrophin is an important protein for muscle structure and contraction. The gene encoding for dystrophin is on the X chromosome and when it is mutated, it causes DMD. The mutated gene can be passed to a son by an affected or carrier mother. The mutated gene can be passed to a daughter by an affected father and an affected or carrier mother. However the disease is commonly seen in males and not females.
DMD symptoms are commonly seen in early childhood (from the ages of 2-3 years old). The main symptom is muscle weakness usually beginning from the muscles near the body’s core (Proximal muscles). The weakness progressively extends to the proximal limbs, Due to this, affected individuals will show a decreased ability to move.They will have difficulty in walking, jumping, and running. The prevalence of DMD is around 6 per 100 000 individuals in North America and Europe.
Why We Chose DMD?
Although Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is not as rare as the diseases from our previous initiatives, it is still an important one to discuss. There are various types of mutations affecting dystrophin, which further lead to the disease outcome. As the disease is X-linked recessive, males are more frequently affected than females. In fact, 1 in 3600 males are born with DMD. Due to these statistics, AdvoSci Health decided to spread awareness of DMD for this semester.
Some Interesting Readings
DMD Art Competition
For the DMD initiative, AdvoSci Health decided to do an art competition that spreads awareness of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The competition involved any forms of art. The top three entries for the competition are shown below.
