MDA Awards $13.6 Million in Research Grants

44 Projects support new drug development, insights into neuromuscular disease

Tucson, Arizona (PRWEB) February 07, 2013

MDA awarded 44 grants totaling more than $13 million, most of which took effect Feb. 1. The grants encompass a range of diseases covered by the Association, and include innovative approaches to basic research and drug development, which may open new avenues for possible therapeutic treatments.

"We're excited to award a set of grants covering such an important and comprehensive range of topics in the field of neuromuscular disease research," said MDA Vice President of Research Jane Larkindale. "Many of the new projects stand to have a great impact on the state of science not only in a single disease category but for many of the diseases under MDAs umbrella."

Some of the projects funded by the new grants will focus on understanding the relationship between specific genetic mutations and disease manifestations. While MDA-funded research has made tremendous advances in identifying genes and genetic defects that relate to neuromuscular diseases, there are still unanswered questions about how those genetic defects cause specific disease characteristics.

In the effort to identify new therapeutic targets, several of the grants will fund early-stage testing of specific therapeutic hypotheses. Results from such studies could lead to the testing of new or existing drugs, or to the identification of new drug targets for nerve and muscle diseases.

This round of grants also includes research into the physiology that underlies many neuromuscular diseases. Several grants also relate to the process of degeneration and regeneration of muscles, nerves and membranes. Most of the diseases in MDA's program are degenerative, either because the underlying process causes nerve or muscle damage, there is impaired regeneration, or both. These studies will look for the mechanisms that regulate these processes and for methods to tip the balance in an effective direction.

In MDAs ongoing support of creating better diagnostic tools for neuromuscular diseases, some of the new grants focus on development of better screening techniques, including newborn screening technology for Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

MDA is committed to ensuring the future of neuromuscular disease research. To that end, five new grants are career development grants designed to increase the number of scientists dedicated to this field. Also included are two clinical research grants, which provide promising young clinicians with training opportunities needed to become clinical investigators.

For up-to-date information on the latest MDA-funded research projects, see Grants at a Glance, a slideshow featuring the new MDA grantees and their research. Also read: $13.6 Million in New MDA Grants Promote Understanding, Treatment of Neuromuscular Diseases and Grants Support Study of New Genes, New Drug Discovery Strategies for ALS.

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MDA Awards $13.6 Million in Research Grants