Diabetic neuropathy causes severe disability, with pain, loss of sensation and weakness. The current project will assess the utility of a new testing method, known as nerve excitability assessment, as a method of detecting early changes in nerve function in diabetic patients. If this technique proves useful in detecting early nerve damage, it will assist in the development of therapeutic and preventative treatments for neuropathy in diabetic patients.
DHPR ? Subunit Binding To A Variably Spliced Region Of RyR1: A Role In EC Coupling And Myotonic Dystrophy
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$555,892.00
Summary
We have uncovered a communication pathway between two ion channel molecules in muscle cells that underlies human movement. The pathway is critical in normal mobility and is disrupted in myotonic dystrophy. We will study the molecular components of this pathway to understand normal body function and abnormal function in mytotonic dystrophy. The work will facilitate the design of drugs to relieve the mytotonic dystrophy myopathy and form new and much needed class of specific muscle relaxants.