Quest for Success: Nicole Lahoud

As the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) continues our commitment to empowering people living with neuromuscular disease, we are excited to present our 2022 blog series: “Quest for Success”. Success looks different to everyone and this monthly blog will detail the different paths that individuals with neuromuscular disease have taken to reach their potential and the . . .

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Clinical Trial Alert: Phase 3b Study of Oral Edaravone in Adults with ALS

Researchers at Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Development America, Inc. (MTPA) are seeking adults living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to participate in a phase 3b clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of oral edaravone to treat ALS. Edaravone (brand name Radicava) was designed to help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, and was . . .

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Biogen Releases Letter to ALS Community

Yesterday, Biogen released a letter to the ALS community regarding its experimental therapy, tofersen (formerly known as BIIB067), an antisense oligonucleotide being studied for the potential treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in adults with a confirmed superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) genetic mutation, which is a subtype of familial ALS that makes up 2 percent . . .

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Becoming a Scholar and a Mother: Reflections from a Student with LGMD

Pearl Burgin has faced her share of setbacks as she navigated life with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, motherhood and higher education as an adult student. But, as she writes in this reflection on going back to school, “I am fortunate to have found a way to become a mom and a scholar. If anyone else is wondering if getting an education while living with a neuromuscular disease and raising a family is possible, I hope they consider their situation, review their options and find resources that will help. Remember not to let doubt hold you back from becoming all that you want to be. Just do what works for you. I challenged myself, worked hard, and it’s paying off. Now for the next goal: grad school.”

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Seeing the World Thanks to MDA Shamrocks: Meet Gabrielle, the Traveling Shamrockstar

Fourteen-year-old Kentucky native Gabrielle’s favorite subject is geography, which is appropriate when you have an insatiable desire to travel. Gabrielle, who has spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) Type 2, has already seen a great deal of the world, including Europe, the Caribbean and the western United States. This year, Gabrielle is featured as a “Shamrockstar” on platinum MDA Shamrocks at retailers across the country, a country that Gabrielle has seen extensively in her travels with her family.

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