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LA Mayor's Office Acknowledges the NDF's Advocacy with GNEM

Sunday, May 31, 2015

Help Us Spread The Awareness of GNE Myopathy Worldwide - Do Not Underestimate The Power of One Small Action


                              
We envision a world where myopathies will not impede human aspirations, and where patients, and researchers collaborate on finding a cure for GNE Myopathy

We (patients and family members) are attempting to reach patients in all parts of the world who have been diagnosed with Gne-myopayhy  or are experiencing early signs of this disease. We are kindly asking for your help to translate this flyer into your language, print, and share with doctors,  family members, and other patients.   
**We currently have this flyer translated by patients, and other translators in Arabic, Chinese,French, Hindi, Italian, Farsi , German and Japanese with more languages to be added.  Please contact me if you need a flyer in your language and I will send it to you.
                                                   
                                                                  FLYER


    GNE Myopathy is known by different names such as Hereditary Inclusion Body Myopathy(HIBM), Nonaka Myopathy, Distal Myopathy with Rimmed Vacuoles (DMRV) or Quadriceps Sparing Myopathy and other names. The disease manifests itself in early adulthood. It begins with muscle weakness and ultimately makes the person totally disabled.  It is a recessive genetic disease which means that a person gets one defective copy of the GNE gene from each parent.  The normal GNE gene helps the body to make a sugar (sialic acid) important for muscle function and other activities.
We at GNE Myopathy International (GMI) are dedicated to helping patients with this disease, those who are recently diagnosed, or ones who are yet to be diagnosed, and assist them with finding the necessary resources to make their lives productive and fulfilling. It is very important to get diagnosed early as there are currently two medicines on trial for this disease.  For further details please visit our website (http://gne-myopathy.org/).

Some early signs and symptoms of GNE Myopathy:
*Foot drop with toes stubbing the ground
*Loss of balance and frequent falls
*Weakness in legs, arms, hands, hips, and shoulders
*Cramps in legs, weakness in the hamstrings
*Inability to run or climb stairs
*Difficulty standing on toes or heels

Please feel free to translate this page into your language and share with doctors and anyone with these symptoms.

Please contact specialists in your country, or email us at gne.myopathy@gmail.com

                       Please allow to post this in your clinic/community notice board.
                                 
Here is the Japanese version of the flyer - credit to Yoshio, S.

GNE ミオパチーは、遺伝性封入体ミオパチー(HIBM)埜中ミオパチー、縁取り空胞を伴う遠位型ミオパチー(DMRV)、四頭筋スペアリング・ミオパチー(QSM)などの異なる名称で知られており、成人早期に顕在化する病気です。その症状は、最初に筋力の低下から始まり、最終的には寝たきりとなります。この病気は劣性遺伝病、すなわち患者は両親のそれぞれから受け継いだ GNE 遺伝子の欠陥因子が二つ揃った場合に起きる病気です。正常なGNE 遺伝子は、人体が筋機能やその他の活動にとって重要な糖分(シアル酸)の生成を助けるものです。
我々、 GNE ミオパチー・インターナショナル(GMI) の目的は、最近この病気と診断された患者、あるいは正確な診断を必要とする患者の救済に全力を尽くすことにあり、さらに患者が満たされ充実した人生を送れるために必要な情報源を見つけるための援助をすることにあります。
この病気には、2種類の薬が臨床試験中でありますから、早期に診断を受けることが非常に重要です。この詳しい情報は、ウェブサイトをご覧ください  (gne-myopathy.org).

 GNE ミオパチーの初期の症状と特徴:
*垂れ足(つま先が上がりにくくつまずきやすい
*バランスを失い転びやすい
*足、腕、腰、肩の力が弱くなる
*足の痙攣、膝の後ろの筋力が弱くなる
*走ること、階段を昇ることができない
*つま先や踵で立つのが困難

このような症状のある方、および医師にこれを見せてください。

このパンフレットを診療所などの掲示板に貼らせてください。




Thursday, May 28, 2015

Ultragenyx Announces Global Phase 3 Study of Aceneuramic Acid (Sialic Acid) for GNE Myopathy


Ultragenyx is launching Phase 3 trial of Sialic Acid tablets to treat GNE myopathy.  The name Sialic Acid  has now been changed to "aceneuramic acid" one of its multiple chemical names. Participants will be either on a placebo or on aceneuramic acid extended release  tablets(Ace-ER). This study is designed to recruit eighty patients worldwide.  Clinicaltrials.gov site as of this blog states "not  yet recruiting", however patients who are interested in participating may want to call the site in their respective country. The countries listed are the United Kingdom, United States, Canada.  I also see France, Italy, Israel,and Bulgaria I am unsure of the status of these countries.  Please refer to the  links for this posting from Ultragenyx, and the clinicaltrials.gov below.  Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need assistance.

http://www.ultragenyx.com/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/45418

Contact Ultragenyx Pharmaceutical Inc. Investors & Media Robert Anstey 844-758-7273 Ultragenyx Announces First Patient Enrolled in Global Phase 3 Study of Aceneuramic Acid (Sialic Acid) Extended Release in GNE Myopathy Novato, CA — May 28, 2015 —


https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02377921?term=hibm&rank=4
Contacts
Contact: Kim Mooney415-483-8872kmooney@ultragenyx.com
Locations
United States, California
University of California, IrvineNot yet recruiting
Irvine, California, United States, 92697
Contact: Brian Minton    714-456-8520    bminton@uci.edu   
Principal Investigator: Tahseen Mozaffar, MD         
Canada, Ontario
McMaster UniversityNot yet recruiting
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, L8N3Z5
Contact: Erin Hatcher    905-521-2100 x 76929    hatchere@hhsc.ca   
Principal Investigator: Mark Tarnopolsky, MD         
United Kingdom
The Newcastle upon Tyne HospitalsNot yet recruiting
Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom, NE1 4LP
Contact: Oksana Pogoryelova, PhD    +44 (0) 191 2418640    Oksana.Pogoryelova@newcastle.ac.uk   
Principal Investigator: Hanns Lochmuller, MD     

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Devices Currently Being Used by Persons with Gne Myopathy

The patients from our Gne-Myopathy support group on Facebook have listed the type of assistive devices they currently use.  These devices assist them in mobility, independence, and to maintain safety while maneuvering life's daily activities.We have summarized their experience, impression, and suggestions. It is possible that experience may vary from person to person using the same device. We want to graciously thank them for their input. This information could also be sourced at our website: gne-myopathy.org under the "Support Community" tab.

A number of companies (such as Ossur, Ottobock) make a variety of devices that are designed for people with different needs. There are also smaller companies which are able to customize some of the ready-made devices to suit individual needs.

Orthoses, Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO’s), Braces

These equipment assist persons who have GNE-Myopathy with better stability, gait, balance, and help to lift up the toes.

Swedish AFO: These do not appear to restrict while walking or turning and or driving a car. There is a possibility that the experience may differ from people to people. It is important to get the right shoes with these. One can wear them with sketchers, trainers and converse, anything that comes up higher on the back of the heel. 
http://www.alimed.com/freedom-swedish-afo.html

Push Aequi Ankle Brace: This has been used during exercises and walking around the house. It can be worn over the socks and best results are obtained with closed shoes.
afo
Toe Off Brace from Allard: It is quite comfortable and one can use it during driving. 
One of the patient, who uses this is 5'8” tall and is able to walk. She wears size medium as it comes up higher on her leg and gives added balance when standing still. One can climb steps with handrails and low incline ramps with these braces. The downsides are: they don't fit in all shoes/sneakers and all shoes need removable insoles. The foot plate cracks after six months, and one needs a cane or some assistance on steep inclines.
afo
Ossur AFO Light: These have been found to be quite comfortable and it is easier to find shoes that fits these devices. 
http://www.ossur.com/.../ankle-foot-orthosis/afo-light
afo
Walk-OnIn general the experience has not been good during negotiating stairs, and for driving with these devices. One reason suggested by a patient is the experience of feeling restrained when one attempts to push down on the pedal. Patients find it difficult to climb stairs and negotiate inclines as these braces do not give enough support. On the other hand, some people have used these for many years. It does take some time to get one’s balance right as they feel unsteady with them at first because of the "spring" it adds to one’s step. If you do not use a cane or walker, you may want to use one just while your gait adjusts to the new braces.
 http://www.ottobockus.com/.../solutio.../ankle-brace-walkon/
afo
Boxia Ankle Brace: It is also being used by patients and generally has been found useful for walking. https://www.chaneco.co.uk/orthotic-product.asp?prodId=324&specialoffer
afo

OttobockDyna Ankle: It gives support but does not give the 'push' to clear the ground as other AFO's do.  http://www.ottobock.com/cps/rde/xbcr/ob_com_en/646A147-GB-01-1102w.pdf
afo

Canes, Crutches,Walkers, Rollators, and Wheel Chairs
Some of these aids are highly useful in keeping people with GNE Myopathy mobile, and as independent as possible for them to carry on their daily activities. Again, experience vary from one individual to another, and one has to try out different ones to find out which would be the best. 
Many patients find using a walking stick helps them to walk safely. One patient finds a forearm crutch useful in walking on a level area. Another, found a palm grip walking stick more useful. It gives full support to the palm which helps in keeping hand and palm in alignment, and does not slip while walking. The stick comes customized for either left or right hand. The forearm crutch gives extra support to the elbow. 
afo
Rollators: These can be highly useful for some specific activities, such as getting from a car to a class, or office. The patient is able to sit on the seat when tired and also can carry belongings in the basket. This rollator below is wide enough to accommodate the wider gait associated with GNE Myopathy. It gives added stability, balance, and helps one to safely walk longer. 
afo
Wheelchair: These are used quite extensively by patients with different types of disability. Many people use these only for specific purpose, generally during travelling, sightseeing or shopping. Although, the wheelchairs can handle uneven path, it is difficult to use them on un-surfaced, and rough roads. There are two types of wheel chairs, manual, and electric/battery powered. Generally manual ones will require assistance for locomotion.


Additional Assistance
A yoga belt has been found to be useful by a patient when she travels on planes or have to stay in a hotel. This helps to keep the knees together so they are not splaying out to touch other passengers. The yoga belt can also be useful to lift legs up if a hotel bed is higher than what one is used to.

afo
It is advisable to consult a physio-therapist or suggestions in choosing the appropriate devices.  The scientific way is to analyse gait with and without different devices and choose one that gives you the best  result. Walking gait analysis is offered only in a few places that specializes in motor neuron disorders. 
Here are some centres and resources where gait analysis are being researched:
The Gait and Clinical Movement Analysis Society - The mission of GCMAS is to improve functional outcomes and quality of life for individuals with any movement disorder or at any age.
European Gait analysis:
http://www.esmac.org/
This is a very informative blog site on gait analysis and lower limb bio mechanics.
http://wwrichard.net/blog/


Saturday, May 2, 2015

A Summary of Current and Future Therapies For Gne Myopathy

This is a special report which has been written  by two members from the  gne-myopathy.org website.  They  have summarized various therapies that are currently being tried on patients, and other future therapies that may help patients with gne myopathy. This report is written in a concise and clear form that is easy to understand.  Please  address any query or comments  to the authors whose contact information is at the end of the report. This article could be found on gne-myopathy.org

SPECIAL REPORT 

Therapies for GNE Myopathy: Current Status and Future Prospects 
Summary 
    A number of approaches for development of a cure for GNE myopathy are currently available. These therapeutic possibilities are being developed for a large number of different diseases, including genetic disorders. None of these have reached a stage where they are ready to be used by patients. Initial studies do indicate that all therapeutic approaches appear to be safe and non toxic, suggesting that these therapeutic platforms can be developed for treatment of different diseases. Sialic acid supplementation as a cure for GNE myopathy is in extended phase two trial and is likely to be the fastest to reach the market. The National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.A. has just started recruiting patients for phase one/phase two trial of Dex-M74, a ManNac substrate.