Myotonic Dystrophy Definition, Causes and More
Article Sources
- 1. NHS Choices, NHS, www.nhs.uk/conditions/muscular-dystrophy/
- 2. 'Myotonic Dystrophy.' Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10419/myotonic-dystrophy.
- 3. 'The Myotonic Dystrophies.' Muscular Dystrophy UK, www.musculardystrophyuk.org/about-muscle-wasting-conditions/myotonic-dystrophy/myotonic-dystrophy-factsheet/.
4. Causes of Myotonic Dystrophy
Myotonic dystrophy is inherited. A mutation of certain genes is passed from parent to child. It's not fully understood how this mutation causes myotonic dystrophy, only that it does.
The gene mutations that cause myotonic dystrophy are dominant, meaning there's a roughly 50/50 chance a parent with myotonic dystrophy passes it on. It also has a trait called anticipation, where the disease can become more severe and present earlier as it's passed down through more generations.2‘Myotonic Dystrophy.’ Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/10419/myotonic-dystrophy.
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