Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation for Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy Clinical Presentation

  • Author: Vinod Sahgal, MD, MS; Chief Editor: Denise I Campagnolo, MD, MS   more...
 
Updated: Jan 18, 2012
 

History

The history of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy varies by type.[15]

Next

Autosomal Dominant Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy

The classification of these relatively uncommon disorders ranges from limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) type 1A to LGMD type 1F.

LGMD type 1A

This is an adult-onset, slowly progressive muscle atrophy with weakness in a limb-girdle distribution, which, in addition, has pharyngeal involvement leading to nasal speech. These patients do not develop any contractures, muscle hypertrophy, or cardiac involvement. Creatine kinase (CK) levels are normal.

The inheritance pattern is autosomal dominant. The protein product has been identified as myotilin, which is related to the sarcomere. The gene site locus is 5q31. Even though the protein product has been identified, no direct relationship has been established between the amount of protein and the severity of the disease. The subcellular localization of this protein is on the Z-line.[16, 17, 18]

LGMD type 1B

This form is characterized by symmetrical, proximal lower limb weakness, followed by upper limb involvement. The disease begins in childhood. Contractures are rare and late. Cardiac involvement is common, manifesting as syncopal episodes and/or bradycardia and requiring pacemaker implantation. In late stages, these patients may develop dilated cardiomyopathy. Patients may die of sudden cardiac death. The CK level ranges from normal to moderately elevated. The clinical course is one of slow progression.

The locus of this myopathy has been mapped to 1q11-21. The protein product of this genetic variation is lamina A/C. The subcellular localization of this protein is unknown.[19]

LGMD type 1C

This type is a disorder of childhood-onset proximal muscle weakness, myalgia, and muscle cramps. Muscle rippling to percussion is a unique feature of this syndrome. The disease has slow progression and is not associated with contractures. The CK level is always elevated. The gene location is 3p25, and the gene product is caveolin-3. Caveolin-3 is a muscle-specific protein related to the caveolae, which are the invaginations of the plasma membrane. Mutation of the caveolin-3 gene (CAV3) causes this disorder.[20] See image below.

Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner cytoskeleton (F-actin) and the basal lamina. Mutations in all sarcoglycans, in dysferlin, and in caveolin-3, as well as mutations that cause abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, can result in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

LGMD type 1D

This is adult-onset limb-girdle dystrophy is very rare. Features are proximal weakness with cardiac conduction defects and, later, dilated cardiomyopathy. The gene site for this rare disorder seems to be 6q23. The subcellular location and protein product are unknown.[21]

LGMD types 1E and 1F

These dominantly inherited LGMDs are of the adult-onset type and are not associated with contractures. The clinical course is one of slow progression, and the CK level is normal. The gene site is 7q, and the subcellular location and protein product are unknown.[22]

Previous
Next

Autosomal Recessive Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy

These are generally childhood forms of LGMD that affect males and females in the same sibship. Onset is usually in the first decade of life. In general, the course of disease is one of gradual progression over years. Distribution of muscle weakness is typically in the pelvis (80-90% of cases), and later in life, involvement of the shoulder girdle is noted in approximately 30% of cases. Hypertrophy of the calves is absent, in contrast to other forms of muscular dystrophy. The various types of autosomal recessive LGMD range from type 2A to type 2J.

A review of published case reports showed that nearly 70% of involved patients were ambulatory when aged 25-40 years. In all the cases, contractures of the hips were present. Educational achievements, intellectual level, or vocational status of patients was not mentioned. The incidence of cardiac and respiratory involvement reportedly was rare, although it has been reported by Mascarenhas et al[23] and by Gigliotti et al.[24] Scoliosis occurred rarely, but lumbar lordosis was present in as many as 70-80% of patients. The inheritance pattern is strongly autosomal recessive with consanguinity, and thus, a positive family history often is reported.

LGMD type 2A (calpain 3 myopathy)

The onset of this childhood form of LGMD is in the first decade of life (9.7 ±3 y). The distribution of muscle weakness is predominantly proximal (pelvic and shoulder girdle). The disease progresses slowly, with loss of ambulation at age 38.5 ±2.1 years. Muscle atrophy is a prominent feature. Cardiac involvement is not described, and the CK level is only moderately elevated. The locus of the culprit gene is on 15q15, and the protein product is calpain-3.[25, 26]

LGMD type 2B (dysferlin myopathy)

This form has a variable clinical presentation. The onset is in the juvenile years, and developmental milestones are normal. The distribution of weakness is mostly in the lower extremities distally (ie, anterior compartment), with the Miyoshi form showing posterior distribution. The scapular musculature is relatively preserved early, but later, atrophy of the forearms occurs. CK levels are markedly elevated, and cardiac involvement has been reported. The mutation is found to lie across a large gene site. Immunohistochemical studies showed deficiency of dysferlin in the sarcolemma (see image below). The gene site is 2p13. The protein can be assayed in blood samples using commercially available monoclonal antibodies. The findings from blood studies complement the findings from muscle studies.[27, 28, 29, 30]

Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner cytoskeleton (F-actin) and the basal lamina. Mutations in all sarcoglycans, in dysferlin, and in caveolin-3, as well as mutations that cause abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, can result in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

LGMD types 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F (sarcoglycanopathies)

These 4 disorders have many clinical features in common. The first is age of onset, which varies from early childhood to adulthood. The clinical picture of these disorders varies from mild to severe. Persons with the severe forms tend to lose the ability to walk before age 10 years, while persons with the mild forms maintain the ability to walk late into adulthood. Considerable intergenerational and intragenerational variability exists in the clinical course. Among LGMD patients, 20-25% develop one of these types.

These patients develop severe lumbar lordosis and contractures of the Achilles tendons. Muscle hypertrophy is common, and CK levels are very high. The rate of cardiac conduction defects and dilated cardiomyopathy is 30%. Experimental work in animals suggests that disintegration of the smooth muscle sarcoglycan complex occurs, which results in coronary artery constriction and leads to myocardial ischemia. See image below.

Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner cytoskeleton (F-actin) and the basal lamina. Mutations in all sarcoglycans, in dysferlin, and in caveolin-3, as well as mutations that cause abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, can result in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.

The mutations are at 13q12 for type C, 17q21 for type D, 4q12 for type E, and 5q33-34 for type F. Sarcoglycanopathy has been reported. The subcellular localization is the sarcolemma. The gene product is 2, B & S sarcoglycan. Seventy-seven distinct pathogenic mutations have been found: 41 in LSG, 20 in BSG, 10 in 2SG, and 6 in 8SG.[28, 31, 32, 33]

LGMD type 2G

This form has a childhood and juvenile age of onset. It progresses slowly and is characterized by anterior tibial weakness with foot drop. The CK level is always elevated to moderate to high levels. Cardiac involvement may or may not occur. The mutation for this disorder is at 17q11-12, and the protein is telethonin, with a subcellular localization at the Z-disc product.[34]

LGMD type 2H

The onset for this disorder is in the juvenile and young-adult age group. It is characterized by fatigability without muscle weakness or hypertrophy. The CK level is almost always elevated. The locus of the mutation is 5q31-34, and the protein product is TRIM (tripartite motif) 32, which has cytosolic localization.[35]

LGMD type 2I

This type has a very variable age of onset (childhood, juvenile, adult). The upper extremities are preferentially involved, with upper arm weakness and atrophy. The prevalence of cardiac and respiratory involvement is high. The clinical course can vary from very fast (rarely) to slow (generally). The gene mutation locus is 19q13.3, and the protein product is FKRP (fukutin-related protein). The subcellular localization is the Golgi apparatus.[36, 37, 30]

LGMD type 2J

This is the last of the recessively inherited LGMDs, and it also has a variable age of onset and slow progression. The CK level is mildly to moderately elevated. The gene mutation locus is on 2q, and the protein product is titin, which is located on the sarcomere.[38]

Previous
Next

Pelvifemoral Atrophy (Leyden-Mobius)

The Leyden-Möbius variant of LGMD is the most heterogeneous of all limb-girdle dystrophies. Roughly 60-70% of cases are described as sporadic, while only a few cases are reported as familial. This syndrome is characterized by symmetrical or asymmetrical involvement of the pelvic girdle. The age of onset is later in life, during the second to sixth decades. The progression of the disease is variable, but most reports indicate that the progress is slow. In a significant number of cases, the progression is so slow that it gives the appearance of clinical arrest. The disability experienced by the patients is mild, with several patients continuing to ambulate well into their 70s. Intellectual deterioration or significant cardiac or respiratory involvement does not seem to occur. The survival rate associated with this disease is well into the seventh decade of life. CK values vary from normal to significantly elevated. Genetic studies have not revealed an associated abnormal gene.

Previous
Next

Scapulohumeral Dystrophy (Erb)

As the name indicates, this form mainly involves the upper extremities. It appears in some cases to have an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. This disorder starts later in life (second to the fifth decades), and the disease is often so benign that years may elapse before it is diagnosed. Weakness is generally asymmetrical and may spare the deltoid, supraspinatus, and infraspinatus muscles. Not until very late in life may the lower extremities show signs of involvement. The progression of the disease is very slow, and patients have a normal life expectancy. The disability experienced by patients is fairly minimal, although frozen shoulder syndrome may significantly alter function if it is bilateral. Intellectual deterioration and cardiac involvement are rare.

Previous
Next

Late-onset Autosomal Dominant Limb Myopathy

This syndrome is documented in several families; the onset of weakness begins between the third and fifth decade of life. The course of the disease is benign, with upper and lower extremity weakness causing little functional impairment. Patients with this type of dystrophy maintain their ability to ambulate well into their sixth and seventh decades of life. This syndrome affects males and females.

Neither intellectual deterioration nor significant cardiac involvement is noted. Schneiderman et al reported a family with 16 members in 3 generations who also had the Pelger-Huët nuclear anomaly (ie, the bilobed nucleus of the neutrophils).[39] Bacon and Smith described another family with 6 affected members in 2 generations, all of whom had the late-onset type (third decade of life) with a benign course.[40] De Coster et al reported 9 members of one family, all males, over 3 generations who also exhibited these symptoms.[41] In 1951, Shy and McEachren described 12 cases of late-onset myopathy with a benign course and age of onset in the sixth and seventh decades of life, and they called it menopausal myopathy.[42] A collection of sporadic cases manifesting with the same clinical picture has been reported. The CK levels in these cases generally ranged from normal to mildly elevated, and, again, no cardiac involvement was described.

The disability experienced by these patients was minimal. In the familial cases, the abnormal gene was linked to band 5q22.3-31.3 and the linkage to chromosome 15 was excluded. This finding suggests that this entity is clinically and genetically different from the autosomal recessive varieties. Even though the above categories account for most patients, a minority of patients first described by Bramwell in 1922 exhibited weakness involving only the quadriceps muscle. Denny-Brown,[43] Shy and McEachren,[42] and Walton[9] described several additional sporadic cases. Van Wijngaarden et al[44] and Espir and Matthews[45] described a group of familial cases of quadriceps myopathy in which both sexes were affected. The weakness started in the third decade of life, and patients continued to ambulate well into their 60s. These authors considered such cases to be a limited presentation of LGMD.

Previous
Next

Physical

The clinical features of this group of disorders are described in the specific subsections listed in History. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is suggested in patients who are toe-walkers and who have increased lumbar lordosis, forward pelvic tilt, and flexion and abduction of the hips. However, in the upper extremities, no typical features (eg, winging of the scapula) are present. Muscle hypertrophy is not a characteristic of the affected muscles.

Previous
Next

Causes

Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy is an inherited disorder, with autosomal recessive and autosomal dominant forms reported.

Previous
 
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Vinod Sahgal, MD, MS  Chairman, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Ohio State University

Vinod Sahgal, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine, American Medical Association, and American Spinal Injury Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Steven Reger, PhD, CP  Professor, Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Cleveland State University; Director of Rehabilitation Technology, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cleveland State University

Steven Reger, PhD, CP is a member of the following medical societies: Association for Academic Psychiatry and New York Academy of Sciences

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Elizabeth A Moberg-Wolff, MD  Medical Director, Pediatric Rehabilitation Medicine Associates

Elizabeth A Moberg-Wolff, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Medtronic Neurological None Speaking and teaching

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Kat Kolaski, MD  Assistant Professor, Departments of Orthopedic Surgery and Pediatrics, Wake Forest University School of Medicine

Kat Kolaski, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy for Cerebral Palsy and Developmental Medicine and American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Kelly L Allen, MD  Medical Director, Medevals

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Denise I Campagnolo, MD, MS  Director of Multiple Sclerosis Clinical Research and Staff Physiatrist, Barrow Neurology Clinics, St Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center; Investigator for Barrow Neurology Clinics; Director, NARCOMS Project for Consortium of MS Centers

Denise I Campagnolo, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Paraplegia Society, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

Disclosure: Teva Neuroscience Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Serono-Pfizer Honoraria Speaking and teaching; Genzyme Corporation Grant/research funds investigator; Biogen Idec Grant/research funds investigator; Genentech, Inc Grant/research funds investigator; Eli Lilly & Company Grant/research funds investigator; Novartis investigator; MSDx LLC Grant/research funds investigator; BioMS Technology Corp Grant/research funds investigator; Avanir Pharmaceuticals Grant/research funds investigator

Additional Contributors

The editors wish to thank Suneet Sahgal, MD, Staff Physician, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Medical School, for his previous association with this article.

References
  1. Leyden E. Klinik der Ruckenmarks-Krankheiten. Vol 2. Berlin:. Hirschwalk;1876:531.

  2. Möbius PJ. Ueber die hereditaren nervenkrankheiten. Volkmanns Samml Klin Notiz. 1879;171:1505.

  3. Erb W. Ueber die "Juvenile Form" der progressiven Muskelatrophie ihre Beziehungen zur sogenannten Pseudohypertrophie der Muskeln. Dtsh Archiv Klin Med. 1884;34:467.

  4. Erb W. Dystrophia muscularis progressiva. Klinische und pathologisch anatomische Studien. Dtsch Nervenh. 1891;1:13.

  5. Batten FE. The myopathies or muscular dystrophies. Q J Med. 1910;3:313.

  6. Landouzy L, Dejerine J. De La myopathic atrophique - progressive (myopathic heriditaire debutant dansleufavec, Par la free saus alteration du systeme nerveux). Services Alad Sci. 1884;53:98.

  7. Gower ER. A lecture on myopathy and a distal form. Br Med J. 1902;2:89.

  8. Spiller WG. Myopathy of the distal type and its relation to the neuroforamin of muscular atrophy (Charcot Marie Tooth Type). J Neur Med Dis. 1907;34-14.

  9. Walton JN, Nattrass FJ. On the classification, natural history and treatment of the myopathies. Brain. 1954;77(2):169-231. [Medline].

  10. Fanin M, Tasca E, Nascimbeni AC, et al. Sarcolemmal neuronal nitric oxide synthase defect in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: an adverse modulating factor in the disease course?. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol. Mar 12 2009;[Medline].

  11. Garnham C, Hanna R, Chou J, Low K, Gourlay K, Campbell R, et al. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A can result from accelerated autoproteolytic inactivation of calpain 3. Biochemistry. Feb 18 2009;[Medline].

  12. McMillan HJ, Carter MT, Jacob PJ, et al. Homozygous contiguous gene deletion of 13q12 causing LGMD2C and ARSACS in the same patient. Muscle Nerve. Mar 2009;39(3):396-9. [Medline].

  13. Vuillaumier-Barrot S, Quijano-Roy S, Bouchet-Seraphin C, et al. Four Caucasian patients with mutations in the fukutin gene and variable clinical phenotype. Neuromuscul Disord. Mar 2009;19(3):182-8. [Medline].

  14. Rosales XQ, Tsao CY. Childhood onset of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Pediatr Neurol. Jan 2012;46(1):13-23. [Medline].

  15. Nigro V, Aurino S, Piluso G. Limb girdle muscular dystrophies: update on genetic diagnosis and therapeutic approaches. Curr Opin Neurol. Oct 2011;24(5):429-36. [Medline].

  16. Hauser MA, Horrigan SK, Salmikangas P, et al. Myotilin is mutated in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 1A. Hum Mol Genet. Sep 1 2000;9(14):2141-7. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  17. Hauser MA, Conde CB, Kowaljow V, et al. Myotilin mutation found in second pedigree with LGMD1A. Am J Hum Genet. Dec 2002;71(6):1428-32. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  18. Salmikangas P, van der Ven PF, Lalowski M, et al. Myotilin, the limb-girdle muscular dystrophy 1A (LGMD1A) protein, cross-links actin filaments and controls sarcomere assembly. Hum Mol Genet. Jan 15 2003;12(2):189-203. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  19. Muchir A, Bonne G, van der Kooi AJ, et al. Identification of mutations in the gene encoding lamins A/C in autosomal dominant limb girdle muscular dystrophy with atrioventricular conduction disturbances (LGMD1B). Hum Mol Genet. May 22 2000;9(9):1453-9. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  20. Merlini L, Carbone I, Capanni C, Sabatelli P, Tortorelli S, Sotgia F, et al. Familial isolated hyperCKaemia associated with a new mutation in the caveolin-3 (CAV-3) gene. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Jul 2002;73(1):65-7. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  21. Messina DN, Speer MC, Pericak-Vance MA, McNally EM. Linkage of familial dilated cardiomyopathy with conduction defect and muscular dystrophy to chromosome 6q23. Am J Hum Genet. Oct 1997;61(4):909-17. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  22. Speer MC, Vance JM, Grubber JM, Lennon Graham F, Stajich JM, Viles KD, et al. Identification of a new autosomal dominant limb-girdle muscular dystrophy locus on chromosome 7. Am J Hum Genet. Feb 1999;64(2):556-62. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  23. Mascarenhas DA, Spodick DH, Chad DA, et al. Cardiomyopathy of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. J Am Coll Cardiol. Nov 1 1994;24(5):1328-33. [Medline].

  24. Gigliotti F, Pizzi A, Duranti R, Gorini M, Iandelli I, Scano G. Control of breathing in patients with limb girdle dystrophy: a controlled study. Thorax. Sep 1995;50(9):962-8. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  25. Guyon JR, Kudryashova E, Potts A, et al. Calpain 3 cleaves filamin C and regulates its ability to interact with gamma- and delta-sarcoglycans. Muscle Nerve. Oct 2003;28(4):472-83. [Medline].

  26. Richard I, Broux O, Allamand V, et al. Mutations in the proteolytic enzyme calpain 3 cause limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2A. Cell. Apr 7 1995;81(1):27-40. [Medline].

  27. Bansal D, Miyake K, Vogel SS, et al. Defective membrane repair in dysferlin-deficient muscular dystrophy. Nature. May 8 2003;423(6936):168-72. [Medline].

  28. Liu J, Aoki M, Illa I, et al. Dysferlin, a novel skeletal muscle gene, is mutated in Miyoshi myopathy and limb girdle muscular dystrophy. Nat Genet. Sep 1998;20(1):31-6. [Medline].

  29. Matsuda C, Hayashi YK, Ogawa M, et al. The sarcolemmal proteins dysferlin and caveolin-3 interact in skeletal muscle. Hum Mol Genet. Aug 15 2001;10(17):1761-6. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  30. Rosales XQ, Moser SJ, Tran T, McCarthy B, Dunn N, Habib P, et al. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance of cardiomyopathy in limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2B and 2I. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. Aug 4 2011;13:39. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  31. Nigro V, de Sá Moreira E, Piluso G, et al. Autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, LGMD2F, is caused by a mutation in the delta-sarcoglycan gene. Nat Genet. Oct 1996;14(2):195-8. [Medline].

  32. Noguchi S, McNally EM, Ben Othmane K, et al. Mutations in the dystrophin-associated protein gamma-sarcoglycan in chromosome 13 muscular dystrophy. Science. Nov 3 1995;270(5237):819-22. [Medline].

  33. Roberds SL, Leturcq F, Allamand V, et al. Missense mutations in the adhalin gene linked to autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy. Cell. Aug 26 1994;78(4):625-33. [Medline].

  34. Moreira ES, Wiltshire TJ, Faulkner G, et al. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2G is caused by mutations in the gene encoding the sarcomeric protein telethonin. Nat Genet. Feb 2000;24(2):163-6. [Medline].

  35. Frosk P, Weiler T, Nylen E, Sudha T, Greenberg CR, Morgan K, et al. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2H associated with mutation in TRIM32, a putative E3-ubiquitin-ligase gene. Am J Hum Genet. Mar 2002;70(3):663-72. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  36. Brockington M, Yuva Y, Prandini P, et al. Mutations in the fukutin-related protein gene (FKRP) identify limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2I as a milder allelic variant of congenital muscular dystrophy MDC1C. Hum Mol Genet. Dec 1 2001;10(25):2851-9. [Medline].

  37. Krag TO, Hauerslev S, Sveen ML, Schwartz M, Vissing J. Level of muscle regeneration in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2I relates to genotype and clinical severity. Skelet Muscle. Oct 5 2011;1(1):31. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  38. Hackman P, Vihola A, Haravuori H, Marchand S, Sarparanta J, De Seze J, et al. Tibial muscular dystrophy is a titinopathy caused by mutations in TTN, the gene encoding the giant skeletal-muscle protein titin. Am J Hum Genet. Sep 2002;71(3):492-500. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  39. Schneiderman LJ, Sampson WI, Schoene WC, et al. Genetic studies of a family with two unusual autosomal dominant conditions: muscular dystrophy and Pelger-Huet anomaly. Clinical, pathologic and linkage considerations. Am J Med. Mar 1969;46(3):380-93. [Medline].

  40. Bacon PA, Smith B. Familial muscular dystrophy of late onset. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Feb 1971;34(1):93-7. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  41. De Coster W, De Reuck J, Thiery E. A late autosomal dominant form of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. A clinical, genetic, and morphological study. Eur Neurol. 1974;12(3):159-72. [Medline].

  42. SHY GM, McEACHERN D. The clinical features and response to cortisone of menopausal muscular dystrophy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. May 1951;14(2):101-7. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  43. Denny-Brown D. Myopathic weakness of quadriceps. Proc R Soc Med. 1939;32:867.

  44. van Wijngaarden GK, Hagen CJ, Bethlem J, Meijer AE. Myopathy of the quadriceps muscles. J Neurol Sci. Sep-Oct 1968;7(2):201-6. [Medline].

  45. Espir ML, Matthews WB. Hereditary quadriceps myopathy. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. Dec 1973;36(6):1041-5. [Medline]. [Full Text].

  46. Cossée M, Lagier-Tourenne C, Seguela C, et al. Use of SNP array analysis to identify a novel TRIM32 mutation in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2H. Neuromuscul Disord. Mar 18 2009;[Medline].

  47. Yeldan I, Gurses HN, Yuksel H. Comparison study of chest physiotherapy home training programmes on respiratory functions in patients with muscular dystrophy. Clin Rehabil. Aug 2008;22(8):741-8. [Medline].

  48. Bönnemann CG, Modi R, Noguchi S, et al. Beta-sarcoglycan (A3b) mutations cause autosomal recessive muscular dystrophy with loss of the sarcoglycan complex. Nat Genet. Nov 1995;11(3):266-73. [Medline].

  49. Beckmann JS, Richard I, Hillaire D, et al. A gene for limb-girdle muscular dystrophy maps to chromosome 15 by linkage. C R Acad Sci III. 1991;312(4):141-8. [Medline].

  50. Ben Hamida M, Fardeau M. Severe autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophies frequent in Tunisia. In: Angelini C, Danieli GA, Fontanari D, eds. Muscular Dystrophy Research: Advances and New trends. Amsterdam:. Excerpta Medica;1980:143-6.

  51. Bohan A, Peter JB. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (first of two parts). N Engl J Med. Feb 13 1975;292(7):344-7. [Medline].

  52. Bohan A, Peter JB. Polymyositis and dermatomyositis (second of two parts). N Engl J Med. Feb 20 1975;292(8):403-7. [Medline].

  53. Boulogne D. Recherches sur la paralysie, musculaire psudohypertrophyic, on Paralysé myosclerozyic. Selections translated in Brody IA, ed. Neurologic Classic 1973. Arch Gen Med. 1868;11:5, 179, 305, 421, 552.

  54. Bradley WG. The limb girdle syndromes. In: Vinken PJ, Bruyn GW, eds. Handbook of Clinical Neurology. Vol 40. Amsterdam:. Elsevier Science;1979:433-69.

  55. Bramwell E. Observations on myopathy. Proc R Soc Med. 1922;16:1.

  56. Brooke MH. Congenital Fiber type dysproportion. In: Kakulas BA, ed. Clinical Studies in Myology. Amsterdam:. Excerpta Medica;1973:147-59.

  57. Gordon ES, Hoffman EP. The ABC's of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: alpha-sarcoglycanopathy, Bethlem myopathy, calpainopathy and more. Curr Opin Neurol. Oct 2001;14(5):567-73. [Medline].

  58. Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz I, Jedrzejowska H. Correlation between electromyographic findings and muscle biopsy in cases of neuromuscular disease. J Neurol Sci. May 1971;13(1):85-106. [Medline].

  59. Hayward M. Electrodiagnosis of the muscular dystrophies. Br Med Bull. May 1980;36(2):127-32. [Medline].

  60. Jackson CE, Strehler DA. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: clinical manifestations and detection of preclinical disease. Pediatrics. Feb 1968;41(2):495-502. [Medline].

  61. Karpati G, Carpenter S, Nelson RF. Type I muscle fibre atrophy and central nuclei. A rare familial neuromuscular disease. J Neurol Sci. May 1970;10(5):489-500. [Medline].

  62. Kirby RL. Principles of wheelchair design and prescription. Prin Neuro Rehabil. 1997;465-81.

  63. Kuitunen P, Rapola J, Noponen AL, Donner M. Nemaline myopathy. Report of four cases and review of the literature. Acta Paediatr Scand. May 1972;61(3):353-61. [Medline].

  64. Lim LE, Duclos F, Broux O, et al. Beta-sarcoglycan: characterization and role in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy linked to 4q12. Nat Genet. Nov 1995;11(3):257-65. [Medline].

  65. Mastaglia FL, Walton JN. Histological and histochemical changes in skeletal muscle from cases of chronic juvenile and early adult spinal muscular atrophy (the Kugelberg-Welander syndrome). J Neurol Sci. Jan 1971;12(1):15-44. [Medline].

  66. Minetti C, Sotgia F, Bruno C, et al. Mutations in the caveolin-3 gene cause autosomal dominant limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Nat Genet. Apr 1998;18(4):365-8. [Medline].

  67. Morgan-Hughes JA, Brett EM, Lake BD, Tome FM. Central core disease or not? Observations on a family with a non- progressive myopathy. Brain. Sep 1973;96(3):527-36. [Medline].

  68. Moser Von H, Wiesmann U, Richterich R, Rossi E. Progressive muskeldystrophie, Viii Haufigkeit, Klinik und Genetik der Typen I und II. Schweiz Med Wochenschr. 1966;96:169, 205.

  69. Munsat TL, Woods R, Fowler W, Pearson CM. Neurogenic muscular atrophy of infancy with prolonged survival. The variable course of Werdnig-Hoffmann Disease. Brain. Mar 1969;92(1):9-24. [Medline].

  70. Palenzuela L, Andreu AL, Gàmez J, et al. A novel autosomal dominant limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD 1F) maps to 7q32.1-32.2. Neurology. Aug 12 2003;61(3):404-6. [Medline].

  71. Sahgal V, Sahgal S. Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois. Acta Neuropathol (Berl). Mar 31 1977;37(3):225-30. [Medline].

  72. Sahgal V, Solomon R. Metabolic response to exercise and muscle disease. Compr Ther. Jan 1986;12(1):31-8. [Medline].

  73. Shah A, Sahgal V, Sahgal S, et al. Mitochondrial cytochemistry in experimental myopathies. J Submicrosc Cytol. Oct 1985;17(4):509-15. [Medline].

  74. Shah A, Sahgal V, Sahgal S, et al. Variability of mitochondrial cytochemistry in human neuromuscular diseases. J Submicrosc Cytol Pathol. Apr 1988;20(2):287-95. [Medline].

  75. Shapiro F, Specht L. The diagnosis and orthopaedic treatment of inherited muscular diseases of childhood. J Bone Joint Surg Am. Mar 1993;75(3):439-54. [Medline].

  76. Speer MC, Yamaoka LH, Gilchrist JH, et al. Confirmation of genetic heterogeneity in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy: linkage of an autosomal dominant form to chromosome 5q. Am J Hum Genet. Jun 1992;50(6):1211-7. [Medline].

  77. Stalberg E. Single fibre electromyography in muscular dystrophy. In: Hausmanowa-Petrusewicz I, Jedrezejowska H, eds. Structure and Function of Normal and Diseased Muscle and Peripheral Nerve. Polish Medical Publishers;1974:185-190.

  78. Stedman HH. Molecular approaches to therapy for Duchenne and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy. Curr Opin Mol Ther. Aug 2001;3(4):350-6. [Medline].

  79. Vignos PJ Jr, Watkins MP. The effect of exercise in muscular dystrophy. JAMA. Sep 12 1966;197(11):843-8. [Medline].

  80. Walton JN. Two cases of myopathy limited to the quadriceps. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. May 1956;19(2):106-8. [Medline].

Previous
Next
 
Hematoxylin and eosin stain. Note the variation in fiber size. Necrotic fiber is shown with many nuclei (magnification 250X).
Marked endomysial fibrosis with atrophic and hypertrophic fibers.
Hematoxylin and eosin stain. Note the splitting of the fiber.
Gomori trichrome stain. Note the variation in fiber size and subsarcolemmal vacuoles, central nuclei, and subsarcolemmal collection of trichrome-positive material.
Light type I and dark type IIA fibers.
Electron micrograph showing abnormal mitochondria, a large lysosomal body, and a central nucleus.
Electron micrograph showing mitochondria with paracrystalline inclusions and lamellar bodies
Electron micrograph showing streaming of band Z and splitting of the muscle fiber. A central nucleus is surrounded by a collection of small mitochondria.
Trichrome stain. Note variation in fiber size. Necrotic fiber giant fibers and cytoplasmic inclusions.
Dystrophin-glycoprotein complex bridges the inner cytoskeleton (F-actin) and the basal lamina. Mutations in all sarcoglycans, in dysferlin, and in caveolin-3, as well as mutations that cause abnormal glycosylation of alpha-dystroglycan, can result in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.
 
 
 
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2012 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

DISCLAIMER: The content of this Website is not influenced by sponsors. The site is designed primarily for use by qualified physicians and other medical professionals. The information contained herein should NOT be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified and licensed physician or other health care provider. The information provided here is for educational and informational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.