World Duchenne Awareness Day – Understanding Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Today, on World Duchenne Awareness Day, we take a moment to raise awareness and educate ourselves about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a severe and progressive genetic disorder. At Simplifying School, we believe in the power of education to foster empathy and understanding, so let’s delve into what DMD is, how it affects the human body, and how this knowledge connects to the study of Biology and Life Sciences. What is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy? Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a genetic disorder characterized by the progressive weakening and loss of skeletal and heart muscles. It is caused by mutations in the DMD gene, which encodes a protein called dystrophin. Dystrophin plays a crucial role in maintaining the integrity of muscle cells. Without enough functional dystrophin, muscle fibers are easily damaged, leading to muscle degeneration over time. DMD primarily affects boys, with symptoms usually appearing between the ages of 2 and 5. Early signs may include difficulty walki...