Newswise — In an innovative approach now being recommended for scientists seeking a breakthrough from basic science to treatment, researchers at the University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health invited scientists from many disciplines to attend a symposium on inclusion-body myositis (IBM). A Neurology supplement released in print January 24 compiles the efforts of creative minds from all over the globe.
Scientists studying IBM, the most common muscle disease of older persons, found intriguing similarities between the disease process in affected muscle fibers and in the brains of older people with Alzheimer's Disease. IBM at present has no effective treatment, proceeds slowly but relentlessly, and results in disability. Although some clinicians, familiar with IBM, say they can identify patients with IBM at a glance from the appearance of their arms and legs, many physicians continue to not recognize the disease even after examining the patient and doing diagnostics. Patients often first realize something is wrong when they fall down and cannot push themselves up. IBM is found in more men than women.
To try a novel approach to this mysterious disease, Drs. Valerie Askanas MD, PhD and W. King Engel MD from USC's Keck School of Medicine, along with Marinos Dalakas, M.D. from the National Institutes of Health, organized a think-tank meeting last year, inviting clinicians and researchers from all over the world working in mitochondrial abnormalities, Alzheimer's Disease, protein misfolding, the ubiquitin system, virology, inflammation, oxidative stress and immunology as well as neuromuscular disease. The exchange among the different disciplines resulted in collaborations which continue to this day.
The participants contributed articles to a special supplement, edited by Drs. Askanas and Engel and appearing with the January 24 edition of Neurology. The electronic edition appeared in December and is available online.
The Myositis Association, which sponsored the meeting, funds research into IBM and other inflammatory myopathies, provides information to the medical and patient community, and offers support to patients and their families.
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