FSHD muscle shows perturbation in fibroadipogenic progenitor cells, mitochondrial function and alternative splicing independently of inflammation.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is a prevalent, incurable myopathy. FSHD is highly heterogeneous, with patients following a variety of clinical trajectories, complicating clinical trials. Skeletal muscle in FSHD undergoes fibrosis and fatty replacement that can be accelerated by inflammation, adding to heterogeneity. Well controlled molecular studies are thus essential to both categorize FSHD patients into distinct subtypes and understand pathomechanisms. Here, we further analyzed RNA-sequencing data from 24 FSHD patients, each of whom donated a biopsy from both a non-inflamed (TIRM-) and inflamed (TIRM+) muscle, and 15 FSHD patients who donated peripheral blood mononucleated cells (PBMCs), alongside non-affected control individuals. Differential gene expression analysis identified suppression of mitochondrial biogenesis and up-regulation of fibroadipogenic progenitor (FAP) gene expression in FSHD muscle, which was particularly marked on inflamed samples. PBMCs demonstrated suppression of antigen presentation in FSHD. Gene expression deconvolution revealed FAP expansion as a consistent feature of FSHD muscle, via meta-analysis of 7 independent transcriptomic datasets. Clustering of muscle biopsies separated patients in an unbiased manner into clinically mild and severe subtypes, independently of known disease modifiers (age, sex, D4Z4 repeat length). Lastly, the first genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing in FSHD muscle revealed perturbation of autophagy, BMP2 and HMGB1 signalling. Overall, our findings reveal molecular subtypes of FSHD with clinical relevance and identify novel pathomechanisms for this highly heterogeneous condition.

Autosomal dominant in cis D4Z4 repeat array duplication alleles in facioscapulohumeral dystrophy.

Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) has a unique genetic aetiology resulting in partial chromatin relaxation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat array on 4qter. This D4Z4 chromatin relaxation facilitates inappropriate expression of the transcription factor DUX4 in skeletal muscle. DUX4 is encoded by a retrogene that is embedded within the distal region of the D4Z4 repeat array. In the European population, the D4Z4 repeat array is usually organized in a single array that ranges between 8 and 100 units. D4Z4 chromatin relaxation and DUX4 derepression in FSHD is most often caused by repeat array contraction to 1-10 units (FSHD1) or by a digenic mechanism requiring pathogenic variants in a D4Z4 chromatin repressor like SMCHD1, combined with a repeat array between 8 and 20 units (FSHD2). With a prevalence of 1.5% in the European population, in cis duplications of the D4Z4 repeat array, where two adjacent D4Z4 arrays are interrupted by a spacer sequence, are relatively common but their relationship to FSHD is not well understood. In cis duplication alleles were shown to be pathogenic in FSHD2 patients; however, there is inconsistent evidence for the necessity of an SMCHD1 mutation for disease development. To explore the pathogenic nature of these alleles we compared in cis duplication alleles in FSHD patients with or without pathogenic SMCHD1 variant. For both groups we showed duplication-allele-specific DUX4 expression. We studied these alleles in detail using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis-based Southern blotting and molecular combing, emphasizing the challenges in the characterization of these rearrangements. Nanopore sequencing was instrumental to study the composition and methylation of the duplicated D4Z4 repeat arrays and to identify the breakpoints and the spacer sequence between the arrays. By comparing the composition of the D4Z4 repeat array of in cis duplication alleles in both groups, we found that specific combinations of proximal and distal repeat array sizes determine their pathogenicity. Supported by our algorithm to predict pathogenicity, diagnostic laboratories should now be furnished to accurately interpret these in cis D4Z4 repeat array duplications, alleles that can easily be missed in routine settings.

High-resolution breakpoint junction mapping of proximally extended D4Z4 deletions in FSHD1 reveals evidence for a founder effect.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an inherited myopathy clinically characterized by weakness in the facial, shoulder girdle and upper a muscles. FSHD is caused by chromatin relaxation of the D4Z4 macrosatellite repeat, mostly by a repeat contraction, facilitating ectopic expression of DUX4 in skeletal muscle. Genetic diagnosis for FSHD is generally based on the sizing and haplotyping of the D4Z4 repeat on chromosome 4 by Southern blotting (SB), molecular combing or single-molecule optical mapping, which is usually straight forward but can be complicated by atypical rearrangements of the D4Z4 repeat. One of these rearrangements is a D4Z4 proximally extended deletion (DPED) allele, where not only the D4Z4 repeat is partially deleted, but also sequences immediately proximal to the repeat are lost, which can impede accurate diagnosis in all genetic methods. Previously, we identified several DPED alleles in FSHD and estimated the size of the proximal deletions by a complex pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and SB strategy. Here, using the next-generation sequencing, we have defined the breakpoint junctions of these DPED alleles at the base pair resolution in 12 FSHD families and 4 control individuals facilitating a PCR-based diagnosis of these DPED alleles. Our resultsshow that half of the DPED alleles are derivates of an ancient founder allele. For some DPED alleles, we found that genetic elements are deleted such as DUX4c, FRG2, DBE-T and myogenic enhancers necessitating re-evaluation of their role in FSHD pathogenesis.

Nerve enlargement in patients with Noonan syndrome: A retrospective cohort study.

Noonan syndrome (NS) is an autosomal dominant condition characterized by facial dysmorphism, congenital heart disease, development delay, growth retardation and lymphatic disease. It is caused by germline pathogenic variants in genes encoding proteins in the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. Nerve enlargement is not generally considered as a feature of NS, although some cases have been reported. High-resolution nerve ultrasound enables detailed anatomical assessment of peripheral nerves and can show enlarged nerves. This retrospective cohort study aims to describe the sonographic findings of patients with NS performed during a 1-year time period. Data on the degree of enlargement, the relation to increasing age, pain in extremities, genotype on the gene level and clinical features were collected. Twenty-nine of 93 patients visiting the NS Center of Expertise of the Radboud University Medical Center Nijmegen underwent high-resolution ultrasound. In 24 patients (83%) nerve enlargement was found. Most of them experienced pain. We observed a weak correlation with increasing age and the degree of nerve enlargement but no association with pain, genotype at the gene level or clinical features. This study shows that patients with NS have a high predisposition for sonographic nerve enlargement and that the majority experience pain.

Effectiveness of an outpatient rehabilitation programme in patients with neuralgic amyotrophy and scapular dyskinesia: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is an acute inflammation of nerves within the brachial plexus territory leading to severe pain and multifocal paresis resulting in >60% of patients having residual complaints and functional limitations correlated with scapular dyskinesia. Our primary aim was to compare the effects of multidisciplinary rehabilitation (MR), focused on motor relearning to improve scapular dyskinesia and self-management strategies for reducing pain and fatigue, with usual care (UC) on shoulder, arm and hand functional capability in patients with NA. METHODS: In a non-blinded randomised controlled trial (RCT), patients with NA (aged≥18 years, scapular dyskinesia, >8 weeks after onset) were randomised to either an MR or an UC group. MR consisted of a diagnostic multidisciplinary consultation and eight sessions of physical and occupational therapy. Primary outcome was functional capability of the shoulder, arm and hand assessed with the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire-Dutch Language Version (SRQ-DLV). RESULTS: We included 47 patients with NA; due to drop-out, there were 22 participants in MR and 15 in UC for primary analysis. The mean group difference adjusted for sex, age and SRQ-DLV baseline score was 8.60 (95%CI: 0.26 to 16.94, p=0.044). The proportion attaining a minimal clinically relevant SRQ-DLV improvement (≥12) was larger for the MR group (59%) than the UC group (33%) with a number needed to treat of 4. CONCLUSION: This RCT shows that an MR programme focused on motor relearning to improve scapular dyskinesia, combined with self-management strategies for reducing pain and fatigue, shows more beneficial effects on shoulder, arm and hand functional capability than UC in patients with NA. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03441347.

Three-dimensional quantitative muscle ultrasound in patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy and myotonic dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Ultrasound imaging of muscle tissue conventionally results in two-dimensional sampling of tissue. For heterogeneously affected muscles, a sampling error using two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound can therefore be expected. In this study, we aimed to quantify and extend ultrasound imaging findings in neuromuscular disorders by using three-dimensional quantitative muscle ultrasound (3D QMUS). METHODS: Patients with facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (n = 31) and myotonic dystrophy type 1 (n = 16) were included in this study. After physical examination, including Medical Research Council (MRC) scores, the tibialis anterior muscle was scanned with automated ultrasound. QMUS parameters were calculated over 15 cm of the length of the tibialis anterior muscle and were compared with a healthy reference data set. RESULTS: With 3D QMUS local deviations from the healthy reference could be detected. Significant Pearson correlations (P < .01) between MRC score and QMUS parameters in male patients (n = 23) included the mean echo intensity (EI) (0.684), the standard deviation of EI (0.737), and the residual attenuation (0.841). In 91% of all patients, mean EI deviated by more than 1 standard deviation from the healthy reference. In general, the proportion of muscle tissue with a Z score >1 was about 50%. DISCUSSION: In addition to mean EI, multiple QMUS parameters reported in this study are potential biomarkers for pathology. Besides a moderate correlation of mean EI with muscle weakness, two other parameters showed strong correlations: standard deviation of EI and residual attenuation. Local detection of abnormalities makes 3D QMUS a promising method that can be used in research and potentially for clinical evaluation.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1: A comparison between the adult- and late-onset subtype.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Although the extent of muscle weakness and organ complications has not been well studied in patients with late-onset myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), adult-onset DM1 is associated with severe muscle involvement and possible life-threatening cardiac and respiratory complications. In this study we aimed to compare the clinical phenotype of adult-onset vs late-onset DM1, focusing on the prevalence of cardiac, respiratory, and muscular involvement. METHODS: Data were prospectively collected in the Dutch DM1 registry. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-five adult-onset and 66 late-onset DM1 patients were included. Conduction delay on electrocardiogram was present in 123 of 275 (45%) adult-onset patients, compared with 24 of 66 (36%) late-onset patients (P = .218). DM1 subtype did not predict presence of conduction delay (odds ratio [OR] 0.706; confidence interval [CI] 0.405 to 1.230, P = .219). Subtype did predict indication for noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (late onset vs adult onset: OR, 0.254; CI, 0.104 to 0.617; P = .002) and 17% of late-onset patients required NIV compared with 40% of adult-onset patients. Muscular Impairment Rating Scale (MIRS) scores were significantly different between subtypes (MIRS 1 to 3 in 66% of adult onset vs 100% of late onset [P < .001]), as were DM1-activC scores (67 ± 21 in adult onset vs 87 ± 15 in late onset; P < .001). DISCUSSION: Although muscular phenotype was milder in late-onset compared with adult-onset DM1, the prevalence of conduction delay was comparable. Moreover, subtype was unable to predict the presence of cardiac conduction delay. Although adult-onset patients had an increased risk of having an NIV indication, 17% of late-onset patients required NIV. Despite different muscular phenotypes, screening for multiorgan involvement should be equally thorough in late-onset as in adult-onset DM1.

An evaluation of 24 h Holter monitoring in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1.

AIMS: To evaluate the clinical effectiveness of routine 24 h Holter monitoring to screen for conduction disturbances and arrhythmias in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1). METHODS AND RESULTS: A retrospective two-centre study was conducted including DM1-affected individuals undergoing routine cardiac screening with at least one 24 h Holter monitoring between January 2010 and December 2020. For each individual, the following data were collected: Holter results, results of electrocardiograms (ECGs) performed at the same year as Holter monitoring, presence of cardiac complaints, and neuromuscular status. Holter findings were compared with the results of cardiac screening (ECG + history taking) performed at the same year. Cardiac conduction abnormalities and/or arrhythmias that would have remained undiagnosed based on history taking and ECG alone were considered de novo findings. A total 235 genetically confirmed DM1 patients were included. Abnormal Holter results were discovered in 126 (54%) patients after a mean follow-up of 64 ± 28 months in which an average of 3 ± 1 Holter recordings per patient was performed. Abnormalities upon Holter mainly consisted of conduction disorders (70%) such as atrioventricular (AV) block. Out of 126 patients with abnormal Holter findings, 74 (59%) patients had de novo Holter findings including second-degree AV block, atrial fibrillation/flutter and non-sustained ventricular tachycardia. Patient characteristics were unable to predict the occurrence of de novo Holter findings. In 39 out of 133 (29%) patients with normal ECGs upon yearly cardiac screening, abnormalities were found on Holter monitoring during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Twenty-four hour Holter monitoring is of added value to routine cardiac screening for all DM1 patients.

Chromosome 10q-linked FSHD identifies DUX4 as principal disease gene.

BACKGROUND: Facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) is an inherited muscular dystrophy clinically characterised by muscle weakness starting with the facial and upper extremity muscles. A disease model has been developed that postulates that failure in somatic repression of the transcription factor DUX4 embedded in the D4Z4 repeat on chromosome 4q causes FSHD. However, due to the position of the D4Z4 repeat close to the telomere and the complex genetic and epigenetic aetiology of FSHD, there is ongoing debate about the transcriptional deregulation of closely linked genes and their involvement in FSHD. METHOD: Detailed genetic characterisation and gene expression analysis of patients with clinically confirmed FSHD and control individuals. RESULTS: Identification of two FSHD families in which the disease is caused by repeat contraction and DUX4 expression from chromosome 10 due to a de novo D4Z4 repeat exchange between chromosomes 4 and 10. We show that the genetic lesion causal to FSHD in these families is physically separated from other candidate genes on chromosome 4. We demonstrate that muscle cell cultures from affected family members exhibit the characteristic molecular features of FSHD, including DUX4 and DUX4 target gene expression, without showing evidence for transcriptional deregulation of other chromosome 4-specific candidate genes. CONCLUSION: This study shows that in rare situations, FSHD can occur on chromosome 10 due to an interchromosomal rearrangement with the FSHD locus on chromosome 4q. These findings provide further evidence that DUX4 derepression is the dominant disease pathway for FSHD. Hence, therapeutic strategies should focus on DUX4 as the primary target.

Semi-automated Rasch analysis with differential item functioning.

Rasch analysis is a procedure to develop and validate instruments that aim to measure a person's traits. However, manual Rasch analysis is a complex and time-consuming task, even more so when the possibility of differential item functioning (DIF) is taken into consideration. Furthermore, manual Rasch analysis by construction relies on a modeler's subjective choices. As an alternative approach, we introduce a semi-automated procedure that is based on the optimization of a new criterion, called in-plus-out-of-questionnaire log likelihood with differential item functioning (IPOQ-LL-DIF), which extends our previous criterion. We illustrate our procedure on artificially generated data as well as on several real-world datasets containing potential DIF items. On these real-world datasets, our procedure found instruments with similar clinimetric properties as those suggested by experts through manual analyses.

Muscle cramps and contractures: causes and treatment.

Muscle cramps are painful, sudden, involuntary muscle contractions that are generally self-limiting. They are often part of the spectrum of normal human physiology and can be associated with a wide range of acquired and inherited causes. Cramps are only infrequently due to progressive systemic or neuromuscular diseases. Contractures can mimic cramps and are defined as shortenings of the muscle resulting in an inability of the muscle to relax normally, and are generally myogenic. General practitioners and neurologists frequently encounter patients with muscle cramps but more rarely those with contractures. The main questions for clinicians are: (1) Is this a muscle cramp, a contracture or a mimic? (2) Are the cramps exercise induced, idiopathic or symptomatic? (3) What is/are the presumed cause(s) of symptomatic muscle cramps or contractures? (4) What should be the diagnostic approach? and (5) How should we advise and treat patients with muscle cramps or contractures? We consider these questions and present a practical approach to muscle cramps and contractures, including their causes, pathophysiology and treatment options.

KBTBD13 is a novel cardiomyopathy gene.

KBTBD13 variants cause nemaline myopathy type 6 (NEM6). The majority of NEM6 patients harbors the Dutch founder variant, c.1222C>T, p.Arg408Cys (KBTBD13 p.R408C). Although KBTBD13 is expressed in cardiac muscle, cardiac involvement in NEM6 is unknown. Here, we constructed pedigrees of three families with the KBTBD13 p.R408C variant. In 65 evaluated patients, 12% presented with left ventricle dilatation, 29% with left ventricular ejection fraction< 50%, 8% with atrial fibrillation, 9% with ventricular tachycardia, and 20% with repolarization abnormalities. Five patients received an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, three cases of sudden cardiac death were reported. Linkage analysis confirmed cosegregation of the KBTBD13 p.R408C variant with the cardiac phenotype. Mouse studies revealed that (1) mice harboring the Kbtbd13 p.R408C variant display mild diastolic dysfunction; (2) Kbtbd13-deficient mice have systolic dysfunction. Hence, (1) KBTBD13 is associated with cardiac dysfunction and cardiomyopathy; (2) KBTBD13 should be added to the cardiomyopathy gene panel; (3) NEM6 patients should be referred to the cardiologist.

Clinical improvement of DM1 patients reflected by reversal of disease-induced gene expression in blood.

BACKGROUND: Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is an incurable multisystem disease caused by a CTG-repeat expansion in the DM1 protein kinase (DMPK) gene. The OPTIMISTIC clinical trial demonstrated positive and heterogenous effects of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) on the capacity for activity and social participations in DM1 patients. Through a process of reverse engineering, this study aims to identify druggable molecular biomarkers associated with the clinical improvement in the OPTIMISTIC cohort. METHODS: Based on full blood samples collected during OPTIMISTIC, we performed paired mRNA sequencing for 27 patients before and after the CBT intervention. Linear mixed effect models were used to identify biomarkers associated with the disease-causing CTG expansion and the mean clinical improvement across all clinical outcome measures. RESULTS: We identified 608 genes for which their expression was significantly associated with the CTG-repeat expansion, as well as 1176 genes significantly associated with the average clinical response towards the intervention. Remarkably, all 97 genes associated with both returned to more normal levels in patients who benefited the most from CBT. This main finding has been replicated based on an external dataset of mRNA data of DM1 patients and controls, singling these genes out as candidate biomarkers for therapy response. Among these candidate genes were DNAJB12, HDAC5, and TRIM8, each belonging to a protein family that is being studied in the context of neurological disorders or muscular dystrophies. Across the different gene sets, gene pathway enrichment analysis revealed disease-relevant impaired signaling in, among others, insulin-, metabolism-, and immune-related pathways. Furthermore, evidence for shared dysregulations with another neuromuscular disease, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, was found, suggesting a partial overlap in blood-based gene dysregulation. CONCLUSIONS: DM1-relevant disease signatures can be identified on a molecular level in peripheral blood, opening new avenues for drug discovery and therapy efficacy assessments.

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy-Reproductive counseling, pregnancy, and delivery in a complex multigenetic disease.

Reproductive counseling in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) can be challenging due to the complexity of its underlying genetic mechanisms and due to incomplete penetrance of the disease. Full understanding of the genetic causes and potential inheritance patterns of both distinct FSHD types is essential: FSHD1 is an autosomal dominantly inherited repeat disorder, whereas FSHD2 is a digenic disorder. This has become even more relevant now that prenatal diagnosis and preimplantation genetic diagnosis options are available for FSHD1. Pregnancy and delivery outcomes in FSHD are usually favorable, but clinicians should be aware of the risks. We aim to provide clinicians with case-based strategies for reproductive counseling in FSHD, as well as recommendations for pregnancy and delivery.

Assessment of PABPN1 nuclear inclusions on a large cohort of patients and in a human xenograft model of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a rare muscle disease characterized by an onset of weakness in the pharyngeal and eyelid muscles. The disease is caused by the extension of a polyalanine tract in the Poly(A) Binding Protein Nuclear 1 (PABPN1) protein leading to the formation of intranuclear inclusions or aggregates in the muscle of OPMD patients. Despite numerous studies stressing the deleterious role of nuclear inclusions in cellular and animal OPMD models, their exact contribution to human disease is still unclear. In this study, we used a large and unique collection of human muscle biopsy samples to perform an in-depth analysis of PABPN1 aggregates in relation to age, genotype and muscle status with the final aim to improve our understanding of OPMD physiopathology. Here we demonstrate that age and genotype influence PABPN1 aggregates: the percentage of myonuclei containing PABPN1 aggregates increases with age and the chaperone HSP70 co-localize more frequently with PABPN1 aggregates with a larger polyalanine tract. In addition to the previously described PRMT1 and HSP70 co-factors, we identified new components of PABPN1 aggregates including GRP78/BiP, RPL24 and p62. We also observed that myonuclei containing aggregates are larger than myonuclei without. When comparing two muscles from the same patient, a similar amount of aggregates is observed in different muscles, except for the pharyngeal muscle where fewer aggregates are observed. This could be due to the peculiar nature of this muscle which has a low level of PAPBN1 and contains regenerating fibers. To confirm the fate of PABPN1 aggregates in a regenerating muscle, we generated a xenograft model by transplanting human OPMD muscle biopsy samples into the hindlimb of an immunodeficient mouse. Xenografts from subjects with OPMD displayed regeneration of human myofibers and PABPN1 aggregates were rapidly present-although to a lower extent-after muscle fiber regeneration. Our data obtained on human OPMD samples add support to the dual non-exclusive models in OPMD combining toxic PABPN1 intranuclear inclusions together with PABPN1 loss of function which altogether result in this late-onset and muscle selective disease.

Neurological features of Noonan syndrome and related RASopathies: Pain and nerve enlargement characterized by nerve ultrasound.

This study aimed to assess the nature of peripheral nervous system (PNS) involvement in three patients with Noonan syndrome (NS) or NS with multiple lentigines (NSML) as a related RASopathy, presenting primary with intractable neuropathic pain. We studied three unrelated adult patients with severe neuropathic pain and muscle weakness of the limbs. Nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography (EMG) were performed and PNS involvement was assessed by nerve ultrasound imaging, complemented with spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the evaluation of proximal nerve segments. Targeted whole-exome sequencing analysis was performed when the diagnosis of NS was suspected. Two patients showed a PTPN11-related dominant and one a LZTR1-related recessive NS or NSML phenotype. The nature of PNS involvement was documented using nerve ultrasound and MRI, showing generalized or multifocal thickening of nerve roots, plexuses and peripheral nerves in all three patients. Nerve imaging using ultrasound and MRI aids in further detailing the nature of neuropathic pain and nerve hypertrophy in patients with NS. This study underlines the relevance of nerve ultrasound in neuropathies and pain syndromes. A NS diagnosis should not be overlooked in longstanding, unexplained neuropathic pain syndromes, with or without muscular weakness. Nerve ultrasound studies can help raise the suspicion for this relatively prevalent inherited multisystem disorder, which is still rather unknown among neurologists, particularly when other potential syndromic features are inconspicuous.

Reachable workspace analysis is a potential measurement for impairment of the upper extremity in neuralgic amyotrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a multifocal neuropathy involving the nerves of the upper extremity, limiting functional capability and reducing range of motion. The reachable workspace (RWS) is a computerized three-dimensinal analysis system that evaluates the relative surface area (RSA) of an individual's arm reachability and has shown utility in several neuromuscular disorders. The aims of this study were to examine the ability of the RWS to quantitatively detect limitations in upper extremity active range of motion in patients with NA, and correlate these with other upper extremity functional outcome measures. METHODS: Forty-seven patients with NA and 25 healthy age- and sex-matched controls were measured with the RWS. Study participants' RSAs were correlated with scores on the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ), the Disabilities of Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, and upper extremity strength measurements using hand-held dynamometry. RESULTS: Patients with NA showed significantly lower values in the affected arm for all quadrants (except for the ipsilateral lower quadrant) and total RSA compared with controls (P < 0.001). We found moderate correlations between the reachable workspace, the DASH questionnaire result (r = -0.415), and serratus anterior muscle strength (r = 0.414). DISCUSSION: RWS is able to detect limitations in active range of motion of the affected arm in patients with NA, and is moderately correlated with upper extremity functional measures. RWS can demonstrate impairment of the affected upper extremity in NA and it has potential as a clinical outcome measure.

Quantitative muscle analysis in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy using whole-body fat-referenced MRI: Protocol development, multicenter feasibility, and repeatability.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Functional performance tests are the gold standard to assess disease progression and treatment effects in neuromuscular disorders. These tests can be confounded by motivation, pain, fatigue, and learning effects, increasing variability and decreasing sensitivity to disease progression, limiting efficacy assessment in clinical trials with small sample sizes. We aimed to develop and validate a quantitative and objective method to measure skeletal muscle volume and fat content based on whole-body fat-referenced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for use in multisite clinical trials. METHODS: Subjects aged 18 to 65 years, genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy 1 (FSHD1), clinical severity 2 to 4 (Ricci's scale, range 0-5), were enrolled at six sites and imaged twice 4-12 weeks apart with T1-weighted two-point Dixon MRI covering the torso and upper and lower extremities. Thirty-six muscles were volumetrically segmented using semi-automatic multi-atlas-based segmentation. Muscle fat fraction (MFF), muscle fat infiltration (MFI), and lean muscle volume (LMV) were quantified for each muscle using fat-referenced quantification. RESULTS: Seventeen patients (mean age ± SD, 49.4 years ±13.02; 12 men) were enrolled. Within-patient SD ranged from 1.00% to 3.51% for MFF and 0.40% to 1.48% for MFI in individual muscles. For LMV, coefficients of variation ranged from 2.7% to 11.7%. For the composite score average of all muscles, observed SDs were 0.70% and 0.32% for MFF and MFI, respectively; composite LMV coefficient of variation was 2.0%. DISCUSSION: We developed and validated a method for measuring skeletal muscle volume and fat content for use in multisite clinical trials of neuromuscular disorders.

Muscle ultrasound is a sensitive biomarker in oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is a late-onset, progressive muscle disease. Quantitative muscle ultrasound (QMUS) assesses structural changes in muscles and is a sensitive biomarker in neuromuscular disorders. Our aim of this study was to determine whether QMUS can detect muscle pathology and can be used as longitudinal imaging biomarker in OPMD. METHODS: Genetically confirmed OPMD patients, recruited by their treating physicians or from the national neuromuscular database, were examined twice, 20 months apart, using QMUS of orofacial and limb muscles, and measurements of functional capacity and muscle strength. Absolute echo intensity (AEI) and muscle thickness of all muscles were analyzed and correlated with clinical data. RESULTS: The tongue, deltoid, iliopsoas, rectus femoris, and soleus muscles showed increased AEI at baseline compared with normal values in 43 OPMD patients, with the rectus femoris being most often affected (51%).The AEI and muscle thickness of 9 of 11 muscles correlated significantly with the motor function measure, 10-step stair test, swallowing capacity, dynamometry, Medical Research Council grade, tongue strength, and bite force (r = 0.302 to -0.711). Between baseline and follow-up, deterioration in AEI was found for the temporalis, tongue, and deltoid muscles, and decreased muscle thickness was detected for the temporalis, masseter, digastric, tongue, deltoid, iliopsoas, and soleus muscles (P < .05). No relation was found between the change in AEI and repeat length or disease duration. DISCUSSION: QMUS detected muscle pathology and disease progression in OPMD over 20 months. We conclude that QMUS should be considered as a biomarker in treatment trials.

Blood Transcriptome Profiling Links Immunity to Disease Severity in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1).

The blood transcriptome was examined in relation to disease severity in type I myotonic dystrophy (DM1) patients who participated in the Observational Prolonged Trial In DM1 to Improve QoL- Standards (OPTIMISTIC) study. This sought to (a) ascertain if transcriptome changes were associated with increasing disease severity, as measured by the muscle impairment rating scale (MIRS), and (b) establish if these changes in mRNA expression and associated biological pathways were also observed in the Dystrophia Myotonica Biomarker Discovery Initiative (DMBDI) microarray dataset in blood (with equivalent MIRS/DMPK repeat length). The changes in gene expression were compared using a number of complementary pathways, gene ontology and upstream regulator analyses, which suggested that symptom severity in DM1 was linked to transcriptomic alterations in innate and adaptive immunity associated with muscle-wasting. Future studies should explore the role of immunity in DM1 in more detail to assess its relevance to DM1.