For information about these and other types of nerve and muscle disorders, contact the Muscular Dystrophy Association in your State. The primary cause is the genetic defect. In the Duchenne and Becker types, the defect is in the gene which enables the muscle fibres to make dystrophin. The muscle fibres in Duchenne and Becker Dystrophies are deficient in dystrophin, more severely so in the Duchenne type than in the Becker type. Abnormal genes responsible for Myotonic Dystrophy and many cases of Facioscapulohumeral MD have also been identified and the mechanisms by which the abnormal genes cause muscle weakness are beginning to be understood.
Work is ongoing to try to discover the genetic basis of the other MDs.
The amount of research devoted to the MDs across the world is enormous. Every year, millions of dollars and thousands of research workers are involved. The only way this can be done is an all out offensive to find a control or cure for such diseases. MDA supports medical and scientific research to the extent that funds will allow, it runs a comprehensive public education programme and provides physical aids, welfare, morale support and counselling to persons in need. The Muscular Dystrophy Association's programmes are funded, almost entirely, by voluntary contributions from concerned individuals and community organisations.