Scientists develop active substance for fatal muscle wasting in male children

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a congenital disease which causes muscle degeneration and eventual death in teenagers. Recently, researchers from Bern developed an active substance, which they together with an international team tested successfully. Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a relatively rare congenital disease which only affects boys and which leads to irreversible muscle wasting. Around 1 in 3500 newborns is affected. At approx. 10 years old, Duchenne patients are dependent on a wheelchair and in increasing need for care. Patients are not expected to make it to their late 20s and often die from heart or respiratory failure. There is no current cure for DMD but recently researchers from Bern, France, England and Sweden tested a promising active substance.