Research

Research Study Recruitment

Children and Adults Needed for Myotonic MRI Study

Our MD Center is conducting an NIH study of brain structure and function changes in myotonic dystrophy types 1 and 2 (DM1 and DM2). Participants have a brain MRI, neuropsychological tests (games to see how you learn and remember) and donate blood and skin samples. It may require 1-2 nights in the Twin Cities, but funding is available for travel.

We are eager for all children (8-18y) and adults (25-45y) with DM1 or DM2 to participate; for more information, or to sign up, contact:

Cameron Naughton:

Office: 612-625-4882
E-Mail: naug0009@umn.edu , if:

You have DM1 or DM2, are 25 to 45 years of age, and are interested in the study
Your affected children, 8 to 18 years, can come to MN for the study
You want to register with the National Registry - all DM families are encouraged
We also greatly appreciate DM1 and DM2 tissue donations.

Let Cameron know if any of the following occur, and we can help work out logistics - ideally all of these are planned ahead of time, but contact us with any questions:

• A DM1 or DM2 individual has a biopsy with tissue remaining to donate
• A DM1 or DM2 individual is to have surgery that will generate tissue to donate
• A DM1 or DM2 individuals is planning to donate their remains after death
   

Research Project Grants

The NASH (Nash Avery Search for Hope) Fund for MD Research at the University of Minnesota for 2004-2005 funded the following Research Project Grants. 

Therapeutic stem cell transplantation for muscular dystrophies
Principal Investigator:  Atsushi Asakura, Ph.D.

The Treatment of Obesity in Children and Adolescents with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy 
Principal Investigator: Scott Crow, M.D.

Clinical Trials in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Principal Investigator:  John Day, M.D., Ph.D.

Quantifying the Mechanical Properties of Diseased Muscle
Principal Investigator: William Durfee, Ph.D.

The proteasome and muscle remodeling
Principal Investigators: Deborah Ferrington, Ph.D.

Opioid preconditioning of normal and dystrophic heart muscle
Principal Investigator: Paul Iaizzo, Ph.D.

Benefits of excercise to dystrophic muscle
Principal Investigator:  Dawn Lowe, Ph.D.

Myogenic potential of extraocular muscle satellite cells
Principal Investigator: Linda McLoon, Ph.D.

Genetic investigations of muscular dystrophy multisystemic effects
Principal Investigator: Laura Ranum, Ph.D.

Role of cardiac myosin in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Cardiomyopathy 
Principal Investigator: Osha Roopnarine, Ph.D.

Dystrophic mouse colony   
Principal Investigator: David Thomas, Ph.D.

Gene and Protein Expressions with Disuse Atrophy
Principal Investigator:  LaDora Thompson, Ph.D.

Developing a Treatment for Duchenne Metabolic Failure
Principal Investigator:  Stephanie Valberg, Ph.D. DVM.    

Investigating the use of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Principal Investigator: Catherine Verfaillie, M.D.