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MD-NET

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The term Muscular Dystrophy relates to a group of individually distinct, hereditary muscle disorders. Main symptom is a progressive muscle wasting of primarily skeletal muscle. Although the disease progression varies, most patients are physically handicapped and life expectancy is often decreased. It is estimated that one out of 2000 to 3000 persons in Germany suffer from a muscle disease; in total, this would correspond to 26,000 to 40,000 patients with muscular dystrophy.

Research efforts over the past 20 years have shown considerable progress in the field of muscular dystrophies. Numerous disease causing genes have been identified and the underlying pathogenic mechanism partially revealed. This progress was only possible through close collaboration between basic scientists and medical professionals. Interdisciplinary collaboration like this has also been realized  in MD-NET. Members of MD-NET are experts in the fields of neurology, neuropediatrics, neuropathology, human genetics, internal medicine, physiology, developmental biology, molecular pathology, cell biology and biochemistry. It is the goal of this network to deepen the understanding about pathogenic mechanisms leading to muscular dystrophies, to optimize diagnosis and develop new, effective therapies.

Since the start of MD-NET in 2003, cooperation between research projects and service structures has been an essential part of the network's success. Through this collaboration, network members had the chance to gain access to state-of-the-art diagnostic technologies and were able to improve patient care.

In 2006, MD-NET was converted into a registered association and could therefore become a partner in the European network TREAT-NMD.

MD-NET will continue to work on optimizing both diagnostic tools and patient care in the field of muscular dystrophies.