Newcastle University scientist begins pioneering Duchenne muscular dystrophy research

Members of more than 70,000 UK families have the muscle-wasting condition.

A Newcastle University scientist is set to begin groundbreaking research to better understand a life-limiting muscle-wasting condition, following a £136,000 grant.

Professor Volker Straub will conduct a three-year study on how Duchenne muscular dystrophy affects the brain, an aspect of the condition of which little is currently known, following the funding from Muscular Dystrophy UK.

Learning difficulties and cognitive issues are common among the 2,500 children and young people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which is caused by the lack of a vital muscle protein and leads to increasingly severe disability.

Following decades of research, several potential treatments are now in clinical trials.

The research, which is being pioneered by the Newcastle University, will provide support to the members of more than 70,000 UK families who have the muscle-wasting condition.