Translational Research on Muscle and Mobility Medicine

Dear Colleagues, 

Diagnostics and managements of genetic and acquired skeletal muscle disorders are usually treated separately by specialists who seldom interact. It is the ambitious plan of the Diagnostics Special Issue: "Translational Research on Muscle and Mobility Medicine (TRM3)" to attract the best potential contributions from disciplines spanning a wide array of topics, from human genetic and acquired myopathies to veterinary mobility disorders. The strong dependence of skeletal muscle function on the nervous system adds a layer of complexity to factors and mechanisms, in particular when pain is a major symptom of neuromuscular disorders. All diagnostics aspects of muscle and mobility medicine will be considered, including muscle functional tests and non-invasive clinical imaging, but we hope to also attract typescripts dealing with the microscopy and electron microscopy of muscle biopsy, down to molecular approaches. Advances in molecular profiling technologies have led to the understanding that not only genetic myopathies, but all neuromuscular disorders, are very different diseases characterized by specific alterations that characterize their pathogenesis and phenotypic expressions. Biomarkers were historically identified with conventional immunohistochemistry, but methods such as polymerase chain reaction and fluorescence of in situ hybridization are now extremely useful in diagnostics. Bioethical limitations to skeletal muscle biopsy harvesting pose major constraints to studies, when they include healthy young and aging persons and a mandatory control group for evidence-based trials of aging populations. Aging and associated changes in motor, sensory and cognitive systems result in the impairment of postural stability, which is associated with decreased quality of life and increased risk of falls and of mortality. Interventions that would promote early diagnosis with preservation or even improvement of postural stability in age-related neuromuscular decline are highly desired. The current body of literature evidences the need for different interventions designed to improve the balance and postural stability of the elderly, as assessed through different laboratory and clinical diagnostic tests. Therefore, alternative screening modalities are needed to simultaneously identify multiple biomarkers in a single experiment and improve the use of the precious biopsied muscle tissue.

We invite investigators to contribute original research articles, as well as reviews on translational studies that seek to address state-of-the-art techniques and methodologies of skeletal muscle disorders and during follow-up of their managements. Pilot studies in small and large animals and relevant human case reports will also be warmly acknowledged.

Prof. Dr. Usha Sinha
Prof. Dr. Ugo Carraro
Prof. Dr. Hans Hoppeler
Prof. Dr. Shantanu Sinha
Guest Editors

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