Posted February 26, 2013
Gail Thomas, Ph.D., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy are X-lined muscle wasting diseases for which there are limited treatment options. Dr. Gail Thomas at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center hypothesizes that the nitric oxide donating drug naproxcinod may increase muscle blood flow in patients with muscular dystrophy thereby slowing disease progression. Dr. Thomas' research team will evaluate the effects of naproxcinod treatment on skeletal muscle and cardiac function in an animal model. The long-term goal of Dr. Thomas' research is to establish naproxcinod as a therapeutic to arrest muscular dystrophy disease progression and improve quality of life as well as to extend life.