Longitudinal brain and biomarker study in myotonic dystrophy type 2
Official title: Longitudinal Study of Brain Structure, Clinical Endpoints, and Biomarkers in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2
Funded at Wake Forest University Health Sciences · NIH-11347603 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A long-term study of brain structure, cognitive symptoms, and lab biomarkers in adults with myotonic dystrophy type 2 to understand how the disease affects the brain over time.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Wake Forest University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Winston-Salem, United States) |
| Project start | September 10, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $629,873 |
| NIH project number | 1R01NS148745-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11347603 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with myotonic dystrophy type 2 who are willing to participate in longitudinal brain imaging, cognitive testing, and biomarker sampling.
✕Less likely to help
People who cannot participate in long-term follow-up or who do not have DM2 would not benefit from this study.
What this research studies
This project follows adults with DM2 over several years to see how brain imaging findings, cognitive tests, and blood or other biomarkers change as the disease progresses. It builds on prior cross-sectional data showing white matter changes and potential tau-related brain changes, and aims to track these signals over time. By integrating imaging and biomarker data, the study hopes to reveal mechanisms behind cognitive difficulties and identify potential markers of progression. Participants will undergo brain scans, cognitive assessments, and blood tests at scheduled visits.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the study could improve understanding of cognitive decline in DM2 and help identify biomarkers for monitoring progression and guiding future therapies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous cross-sectional work suggests measurable brain changes in DM2; this longitudinal study is a natural next step to confirm progression.
Where this research is happening
-
Wake Forest University Health Sciences
Winston-Salem, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Puwanant, Araya — Wake Forest University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Puwanant, Araya
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.