Muscular dystrophies: genes to pathogenesis

Abstract

Muscular dystrophies are a genetically heterogeneous group of degenerative muscle disorders. Nearly 30 genes are known to give rise to various forms of muscular dystrophy, which differ in age of onset, severity, and muscle groups affected. The number of genes identified increases each year, adding to our understanding as well as revealing the overall complexity of the pathogenesis of these diseases.