Question: What is (are) limb-girdle muscular dystrophy ?
Answer: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is a term for a group of diseases that cause weakness and wasting of the muscles in the arms and legs. The muscles most affected are those closest to the body (proximal muscles), specifically the muscles of the shoulders, upper arms, pelvic area, and thighs. The severity, age of onset, and features of limb-girdle muscle dystrophy vary among the many subtypes of this condition and may be inconsistent even within the same family. Signs and symptoms may first appear at any age and generally worsen with time, although in some cases they remain mild. In the early stages of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, affected individuals may have an unusual walking gait, such as waddling or walking on the balls of their feet, and may also have difficulty running. They may need to use their arms to press themselves up from a squatting position because of their weak thigh muscles. As the condition progresses, people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy may eventually require wheelchair assistance. Muscle wasting may cause changes in posture or in the appearance of the shoulder, back, and arm. In particular, weak shoulder muscles tend to make the shoulder blades (scapulae) "stick out" from the back, a sign known as scapular winging. Affected individuals may also have an abnormally curved lower back (lordosis) or a spine that curves to the side (scoliosis). Some develop joint stiffness (contractures) that can restrict movement in their hips, knees, ankles, or elbows. Overgrowth (hypertrophy) of the calf muscles occurs in some people with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Weakening of the heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) occurs in some forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Some affected individuals experience mild to severe breathing problems related to the weakness of muscles needed for breathing. Intelligence is generally unaffected in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy; however, developmental delay and intellectual disability have been reported in rare forms of the disorder.
Source: GHR

Question: What are the genetic changes related to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy ?
Answer: The various forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy are caused by mutations in many different genes. These genes provide instructions for making proteins that are involved in muscle maintenance and repair. Some of the proteins produced from these genes assemble with other proteins into larger protein complexes. These complexes maintain the physical integrity of muscle tissue and allow the muscles to contract. Other proteins participate in cell signaling, cell membrane repair, or the removal of potentially toxic wastes from muscle cells. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is classified based on its inheritance pattern and genetic cause. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1 includes forms of the disorder that have an inheritance pattern called autosomal dominant. Mutations in the LMNA gene cause limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1B. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 1C is one of a group of muscle disorders called caveolinopathies caused by mutations in the CAV3 gene. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2 includes forms of the disorder that have an inheritance pattern called autosomal recessive. Calpainopathy, or limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A, is caused by mutations in the CAPN3 gene. Type 2A is the most common form of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, accounting for about 30 percent of cases. Dysferlinopathy, also called limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B, is caused by mutations in the DYSF gene. Sarcoglycanopathies are forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy caused by mutations in the SGCA, SGCB, SGCG, and SGCD genes. These sarcoglycanopathies are known as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy types 2D, 2E, 2C, and 2F respectively. A TTN gene mutation causes limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2J, which has been identified only in the Finnish population. Mutations in the ANO5 gene cause limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2L. Mutations in several other genes cause forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy called dystroglycanopathies, including limb-girdle muscular dystrophy types 2I, 2K, 2M, and 2N. Other rare forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy are caused by mutations in several other genes, some of which have not been identified.
Source: GHR

Question: Is limb-girdle muscular dystrophy inherited ?
Answer: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy can have different inheritance patterns. Most forms of this condition are inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern, which means both copies of the gene in each cell have mutations. The parents of an individual with an autosomal recessive condition each carry one copy of the mutated gene, but they typically do not show signs and symptoms of the condition. Several rare forms of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy are inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern, which means one copy of the altered gene in each cell is sufficient to cause the disorder.
Source: GHR

Question: What are the treatments for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy ?
Answer: These resources address the diagnosis or management of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: - Cleveland Clinic - Gene Review: Gene Review: Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Overview - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1A - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1B - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1C - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1E - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1F - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1G - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 1H - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2A - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2B - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2D - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2E - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2F - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2G - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2J - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, type 2L - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy, type C1 - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy, type C2 - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy, type C3 - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy, type C4 - Genetic Testing Registry: Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy-dystroglycanopathy, type C5 - Johns Hopkins Medicine - LGMD-Diagnosis.org These resources from MedlinePlus offer information about the diagnosis and management of various health conditions: - Diagnostic Tests - Drug Therapy - Surgery and Rehabilitation - Genetic Counseling - Palliative Care
Source: GHR