03.01.2007

European initiative "TREAT-NMD" launched to aid neuromuscular disease patients

TREAT-NMD (Transnational Research in Europe - Assessment and Treatment of Neuromuscular Diseases) is a European Union funded Network of Excellence launched on January 1st 2007 with the aim of improving treatment and finding cures for patients with neuromuscular diseases.

TREAT-NMD is a 10m Euro initiative – the first of its kind - that brings together 21 partner organisations, including doctors, researchers, charities and public companies based throughout 11 European countries. The co-ordination centre is based in the Institute of Human Genetics in Newcastle upon Tyne in the UK, led by Professors Kate Bushby and Volker Straub.

Neuromuscular disorders affect around 200,000 people in Europe. The term refers to a large group of conditions that affect either the muscles themselves, or the nerves controlling the muscles. Most conditions result in chronic long term disability. At the moment there are no cures for these disabling disease, so the primarily aim is to provide patients with the best treatment to improve their quality of life and their life expectancy.

Within TREAT-NMD scientists will work closely with doctors to test and apply new research into these inherited disorders, in order to develop new ways of looking after patients with conditions like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). Another special feature of TREAT-NMD include the development of a clinical trials co-ordination centre in Germany, which will provide advice on how to conduct trials of the highest standard, and the option of top-level training for network members.

For more information, please visit the TREAT-NMD homepage www.treat-nmd.eu

TREAT-NMD Partners across Europe: