MAIN TOPICS

The Congress will be held in the traditional WMS format with three selected topics. One day of the symposium will be dedicated to each of the selected topics addressing emerging discoveries in the field. 

Protein Aggregation, Autophagy & Proteomics

The topic ‘Protein Aggregation, Autophagy and Proteomics’ will address degenerative mechanisms of muscle diseases. Pathological protein aggregation in myofibers can have a multitude of different pathomechanisms in childhood and adulthood. Dysregulated autophagic processes as well as dysfunction of the proteasome may severely affect myofibrillar organisation and function. New insights in the pathogenesis of these diseases have been possible through advances in genetic methods, like whole genome- or whole exome sequencing.

Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies (LGMDs)

Similarly, the very heterogenous group of so called ‘Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophies’ an ever expanding group of diseases, which in fact may also exhibit a distal or asymmetric manifestation has new members which are worth looking at more closely. Very recently interesting new therapeutic options have been highlighted and may soon be available.

Advances in Treatment of Neuromuscular Disorders

The third topic of each year, ‘Advances in Therapy of Neuromuscular Disorders’ will focus on new therapeutic options in gene therapy, drug- and supportive therapies or immunemodulation. This topic is of high interest since it addresses possibilities of translational medicine.

Abstracts will also be welcome on advances across the neuromuscular field.