-
International Journal of Molecular... May 2020Myopathies represent a wide spectrum of heterogeneous diseases mainly characterized by the abnormal structure or functioning of skeletal muscle. The current paper... (Review)
Review
Myopathies represent a wide spectrum of heterogeneous diseases mainly characterized by the abnormal structure or functioning of skeletal muscle. The current paper provides a comprehensive overview of cognitive deficits observed in various myopathies by consulting the main libraries (Pubmed, Scopus and Google Scholar). This review focuses on the causal classification of myopathies and concomitant cognitive deficits. In most studies, cognitive deficits have been found after clinical observations while lesions were also present in brain imaging. Most studies refer to hereditary myopathies, mainly Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), and myotonic dystrophies (MDs); therefore, most of the overview will focus on these subtypes of myopathies. Most recent bibliographical sources have been preferred.
Topics: Brain; Cognitive Dysfunction; Humans; Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne; Myotonic Dystrophy
PubMed: 32471196
DOI: 10.3390/ijms21113795 -
International Journal of Environmental... Feb 2021Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary and multisystemic disease, characterized by progressive distal muscle weakness and myotonia. Despite... (Review)
Review
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an autosomal dominant hereditary and multisystemic disease, characterized by progressive distal muscle weakness and myotonia. Despite huge efforts, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying DM1 remain elusive. In this review, the metabolic alterations observed in patients with DM1 and their connection with lipin proteins are discussed. We start by briefly describing the epidemiology, the physiopathological and systemic features of DM1. The molecular mechanisms proposed for DM1 are explored and summarized. An overview of metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, and the summary of metabolic alterations observed in patients with DM1 are presented. Patients with DM1 present clinical evidence of metabolic alterations, namely increased levels of triacylglycerol and low-density lipoprotein, increased insulin and glucose levels, increased abdominal obesity, and low levels of high-density lipoprotein. These metabolic alterations may be associated with lipins, which are phosphatidate phosphatase enzymes that regulates the triacylglycerol levels, phospholipids, lipid signaling pathways, and are transcriptional co-activators. Furthermore, lipins are also important for autophagy, inflammasome activation and lipoproteins synthesis. We demonstrate the association of lipin with the metabolic alterations in patients with DM1, which supports further clinical studies and a proper exploration of lipin proteins as therapeutic targets for metabolic syndrome, which is important for controlling many diseases including DM1.
Topics: Humans; Lipids; Muscle Weakness; Myotonic Dystrophy; Organic Chemicals
PubMed: 33673200
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18041794 -
Seminars in Neurology Dec 2022The diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders requires a thorough history including family history and examination, with the next steps broadened now beyond electromyography...
The diagnosis of neuromuscular disorders requires a thorough history including family history and examination, with the next steps broadened now beyond electromyography and neuropathology to include genetic testing. The challenge in diagnosis can often be putting all the information together. With advances in genetic testing, some diagnoses that adult patients may have received as children deserve a second look and may result in diagnoses better defined or alternative diagnoses made. Clearly defining or redefining a diagnosis can result in understanding of potential other systems involved, prognosis, or potential treatments. This article presents several cases and approach to diagnosis as well as potential treatment and prognostic concerns, including seipinopathy, congenital myasthenic syndrome, central core myopathy, and myotonic dystrophy type 2.
Topics: Child; Adult; Humans; Neuromuscular Diseases; Electromyography; Genetic Testing; Myotonic Dystrophy
PubMed: 36417990
DOI: 10.1055/a-1985-0230 -
Muscle & Nerve Sep 2020Myotonic dystrophies (DM), the most common muscular dystrophies, are known to have significant sleep disturbances. We analyzed the literature on sleep and excessive... (Review)
Review
Myotonic dystrophies (DM), the most common muscular dystrophies, are known to have significant sleep disturbances. We analyzed the literature on sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) in DM over the past 30 years. In this review we provide a brief overview of sleep, sleep disorders, and methods of assessment. We also analyze data regarding major sleep disorders in DM patients, including: sleep-disordered breathing (SDB), with both central and obstructive sleep apneas (CSA,OSA); EDS; sleep-related movement disorders; and poor sleep quality. We review the possible pathogenesis of these disorders and outline management strategies. We also consider possible future avenues for research. The findings highlight the complex set of sleep-related problems, including the primary abnormality of sleep control in myotonic dystrophies. In individual patients the roles of poor sleep hygiene, SDB, primary hypersomnia, and excess fatigue require careful assessment for appropriate management.
Topics: Fatigue; Humans; Myotonic Dystrophy; Sleep Wake Disorders
PubMed: 32212331
DOI: 10.1002/mus.26866 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2022Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder of genetic origin. Progressive muscular weakness, atrophy and myotonia are its most prominent neuromuscular... (Review)
Review
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a multisystemic disorder of genetic origin. Progressive muscular weakness, atrophy and myotonia are its most prominent neuromuscular features, while additional clinical manifestations in multiple organs are also common. Overall, DM1 features resemble accelerated aging. There is currently no cure or specific treatment for myotonic dystrophy patients. However, in recent years a great effort has been made to identify potential new therapeutic strategies for DM1 patients. Metformin is a biguanide antidiabetic drug, with potential to delay aging at cellular and organismal levels. In DM1, different studies revealed that metformin rescues multiple phenotypes of the disease. This review provides an overview of recent findings describing metformin as a novel therapy to combat DM1 and their link with aging.
Topics: Humans; Hypoglycemic Agents; Metformin; Muscle Weakness; Myotonic Dystrophy; Phenotype
PubMed: 35270043
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052901 -
Neurobiology of Disease Dec 2019Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disease showing strong genetic anticipation, and is caused by the expansion of a CTG repeat tract in the 3'-UTR of the... (Review)
Review
Myotonic Dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a neuromuscular disease showing strong genetic anticipation, and is caused by the expansion of a CTG repeat tract in the 3'-UTR of the DMPK gene. Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy (CDM1) represents the most severe form of the disease, with prenatal onset, symptoms distinct from adult onset DM1, and a high rate of perinatal mortality. CDM1 is usually associated with very large CTG expansions, but this correlation is not absolute and cannot explain the distinct clinical features and the strong bias for maternal transmission. This review focuses upon the molecular and epigenetic factors that modulate disease severity and might be responsible for CDM1. Changes in the epigenetic status of the DM1 locus and in gene expression have recently been observed. Increasing evidence supports a role of a CTCF binding motif as a cis-element, upstream of the DMPK CTG tract, whereby CpG methylation of this site regulates the interaction of the insulator protein CTCF as a modulating trans-factor responsible for the inheritance and expression of CDM1.
Topics: Animals; DNA Methylation; Epigenesis, Genetic; Humans; Myotonic Dystrophy; Myotonin-Protein Kinase; Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion
PubMed: 31326502
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2019.104533 -
JACC. Clinical Electrophysiology Aug 2021
Topics: Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Electrocardiography; Humans; Myotonic Dystrophy; Precision Medicine
PubMed: 34412868
DOI: 10.1016/j.jacep.2021.07.002 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2022Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a dominant genetic disease in which the expansion of long CTG trinucleotides in the 3' UTR of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase ()... (Review)
Review
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a dominant genetic disease in which the expansion of long CTG trinucleotides in the 3' UTR of the myotonic dystrophy protein kinase () gene results in toxic RNA gain-of-function and gene mis-splicing affecting mainly the muscles, the heart, and the brain. The CUG-expanded transcripts are a suitable target for the development of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) therapies. Various chemical modifications of the sugar-phosphate backbone have been reported to significantly enhance the affinity of ASOs for RNA and their resistance to nucleases, making it possible to reverse DM1-like symptoms following systemic administration in different transgenic mouse models. However, specific tissue delivery remains to be improved to achieve significant clinical outcomes in humans. Several strategies, including ASO conjugation to cell-penetrating peptides, fatty acids, or monoclonal antibodies, have recently been shown to improve potency in muscle and cardiac tissues in mice. Moreover, intrathecal administration of ASOs may be an advantageous complementary administration route to bypass the blood-brain barrier and correct defects of the central nervous system in DM1. This review describes the evolution of the chemical design of antisense oligonucleotides targeting CUG-expanded mRNAs and how recent advances in the field may be game-changing by forwarding laboratory findings into clinical research and treatments for DM1 and other microsatellite diseases.
Topics: Mice; Humans; Animals; Myotonic Dystrophy; Myotonin-Protein Kinase; Oligonucleotides, Antisense; Mice, Transgenic; Oligonucleotides; 3' Untranslated Regions; Trinucleotide Repeat Expansion
PubMed: 36362145
DOI: 10.3390/ijms232113359 -
Muscle & Nerve Aug 2023Myotonic dystrophies (DMs) are autosomal dominant diseases in which expression of a mutant expanded repeat mRNA leads to abnormal splicing of downstream effector genes...
INTRODUCTION/AIMS
Myotonic dystrophies (DMs) are autosomal dominant diseases in which expression of a mutant expanded repeat mRNA leads to abnormal splicing of downstream effector genes thought to be responsible for their multisystem involvement. Cancer risk and cancer-related deaths are increased in DM patients relative to the general population. We aimed at determining the frequency and type of cancers in both DM1 and DM2 vs a non-DM muscular dystrophy cohort.
METHODS
A retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out on patients with genetically confirmed DM1, DM2, facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) at our institutions from 2000 to 2020.
RESULTS
One hundred eighty-five DM1, 67 DM2, 187 FSHD, and 109 OPMD patients were included. Relative to non-DM, DM patients had an increased cancer risk that was independent of age and sex. Specifically, an increased risk of sex-related (ovarian) and non-sex-related (non-melanoma skin, urological, and hematological) cancers was observed in DM1 and DM2, respectively. The length of CTG repeat expansion was not associated with cancer occurrence in the DM1 group.
DISCUSSION
In addition to current consensus-based care recommendations, our findings prompt consideration of screening for skin, urological, and hematological cancers in DM2 patients, and screening of ovarian malignancies in DM1 female patients.
Topics: Humans; Female; Myotonic Dystrophy; Cross-Sectional Studies; Muscular Dystrophy, Facioscapulohumeral; Retrospective Studies; Melanoma
PubMed: 36790141
DOI: 10.1002/mus.27801 -
International Journal of Molecular... Nov 2021Myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2) are two multisystemic autosomal dominant disorders with clinical and genetic similarities. The prevailing paradigm for DMs... (Review)
Review
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2) are two multisystemic autosomal dominant disorders with clinical and genetic similarities. The prevailing paradigm for DMs is that they are mediated by an toxic RNA mechanism, triggered by untranslated CTG and CCTG repeat expansions in the and genes for DM1 and DM2, respectively. Nevertheless, increasing evidences suggest that epigenetics can also play a role in the pathogenesis of both diseases. In this review, we discuss the available information on epigenetic mechanisms that could contribute to the DMs outcome and progression. Changes in DNA cytosine methylation, chromatin remodeling and expression of regulatory noncoding RNAs are described, with the intent of depicting an epigenetic signature of DMs. Epigenetic biomarkers have a strong potential for clinical application since they could be used as targets for therapeutic interventions avoiding changes in DNA sequences. Moreover, understanding their clinical significance may serve as a diagnostic indicator in genetic counselling in order to improve genotype-phenotype correlations in DM patients.
Topics: DNA Methylation; DNA Repeat Expansion; Epigenomics; Genetic Association Studies; Humans; Myotonic Dystrophy; RNA
PubMed: 34830473
DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212594