Muscular Dystrophy Center research to understand breathing problems in dystroglycanopathy
Official title: Muscular Dystrophy Specialized Research Center
Funded at University of Iowa · NIH-11402651 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A specialized NIH grant is funding a center to understand why breathing problems occur in people with dystroglycanopathies and to uncover the cellular causes behind these muscle and respiratory issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Iowa NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Iowa City, United States) |
| Project start | June 8, 2005 |
| Project end | June 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $500,032 |
| NIH project number | 5P50NS053672-22 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402651 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are individuals with dystroglycanopathies or related muscular dystrophy conditions who could contribute tissue samples or clinical data and potentially participate in future trials.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dystroglycanopathy or related muscular dystrophy may not directly benefit from this specific center.
What this research studies
This center focuses on how defects in α-dystroglycan processing affect respiratory muscles in dystroglycanopathies. Researchers will study the enzymes and gene interactions that control matriglycan production and how changes in this pathway lead to weakened breathing muscles. The project combines cellular and molecular methods to reveal tissue-specific regulation of matriglycan in respiratory tissues. Findings could point to new targets to protect or restore respiratory function in affected patients. The work builds on existing knowledge to connect molecular defects with real-life breathing difficulties in muscular dystrophy patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Results could lead to new treatments that improve breathing and quality of life for people with dystroglycanopathies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has characterized matriglycan and dystroglycan pathways, with some success in linking molecular defects to muscle weakness, but respiratory-specific mechanisms are still being explored.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Iowa
Iowa City, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Campbell, Kevin P. — University of Iowa
- Study coordinator: Campbell, Kevin P.
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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.