Muscular Dystrophy: I'm Grateful I've Proved Them Wrong

Todd T. Eckdahl

In Stock Date: 
08/30/2018
Print Price: 
$49.95
Print ISBN: 
9781944749675
E-book Price: 
$29.95
E-book ISBN: 
9781944749682
Pages: 
84
Binding Type: 
Softcover

This book presents muscular dystrophy (MD) as a group of genetic diseases with a worldwide occurrence of about 1 in 3,500 births that causes muscle wasting and weakening. It describes Duchenne MD as the most common type of MD, almost exclusively affecting males at a rate of about 1 in 5,000 boys, and eight rarer types of MD that are categorized by age of onset, muscles affected, disease progression, severity of symptoms, and health complications.

The author describes how physical examination, muscle biopsy, medical imaging, and genetic testing is used to diagnose MD He further explains the underlying causes of the various types of MD as mutations in genes that encode proteins needed for the development, function, maintenance, and replacement of muscle cells and illustrates patterns by which they are inherited. There is no treatment that can reverse the progressive deterioration of muscles caused by MD, but the book offers insight into drug treatments and physical therapies that help maintain muscle strength and reduce health complications. It concludes with explanations of promising new ways to treat or perhaps cure MD, including experimental drugs, stem cell therapy, and gene therapy.

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Todd T. Eckdahl

Todd T. Eckdahl

Dr. Todd T. Eckdahl earned a BS in chemistry from the University Minnesota, Duluth, and a PhD in molecular genetics from Purdue University. He is currently professor of biology at Missouri Western State University, where he teaches genetics and conducts research in collaboration with undergraduate students that is supported by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Eckdahl has published over 40 articles in professional journals that contribute to molecular genetics and synthetic biology research and to undergraduate science education.