Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive condition diagnosed in childhood. It causes all the muscles in the body to gradually weaken.
There is currently no cure for Duchenne, but there is hope. We are at the forefront of advancing treatments and care for everyone affected by the disease.
DMD is a genetic disease that causes muscle weakness and wasting. It is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy.
It is caused by a fault, known as a mutation, on the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin is a protein that protects muscles; without it, muscles are easily damaged, and their strength and function is weakened. It eventually affects all the muscles in the body, including the heart and lungs.
DMD almost always affects boys. It is typically diagnosed in childhood between the age of three and six.
DMD is classified as a rare disease. It is the most common and severe form of muscular dystrophy, which mainly affects males, and can affect any ethnicity. The following statistics are approximations.
people living with DMD in the UK
live male births affected world wide
children born with DMD globally each year
Clinical trials are research studies that explore whether a medical treatment is effective and safe for humans.
Duchenne UK launched the DMD Hub in 2016 to address the lack of clinical trials for DMD available in the UK. The DMD Hub is a network of trial sites with trained staff, funded to carry out clinical trials for DMD.
Find out about current approved treatments and supporting therapies for DMD.
Current treatments
Duchenne UK are funding research to bring more effective treatments to patients, faster.
Research we fund
Join a community of families affected by DMD and get the support and guidance you need.
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