MDA AWARDS MORE THAN $300,000 TO DENVER RESEARCHER

TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 18, 2010 — For more than two decades, Dr. Kurt Beam has wondered how skeletal muscles move with such precision and grace. The Muscular Dystrophy Association will help Beam continue his investigations into this deceivingly simple question by awarding him $303,438 for a three-year study on how muscles translate the electrical signals from nerves into precisely coordinated contractions, a phenomenon known as excitation-contraction coupling.

Beam, from the University of Colorado Medical School, explained that he feels the research is important to MDA because “mutations in the key proteins involved in excitation-contraction coupling cause serious human muscle diseases, including periodic paralysis, malignant hyperthermia and central core disease.

Dr. Kurt Beam

“As a scientist, I find the mechanism of excitation-contraction coupling to be intrinsically interesting. As a parent and grandparent, I hope my research can help the many kids and families who have to deal with devastating neuromuscular diseases."

Beam is one of 38 research leaders receiving new multiyear awards from MDA. His three-year project is part of the $14.1 million in new research funding approved during the Association’s July Board meeting. This is Beam’s fourth MDA grant, bringing MDA's total investment in his work to $877,503. To learn more about Beam and his current project listen to his podcast and read his transcript.

“The importance of MDA to neuromuscular research cannot be measured in dollars alone," Beam explained. “MDA has been at the forefront in promoting basic and applied research directed toward understanding normal muscle function; mechanisms of muscle disease; and in developing therapies for these diseases. An especially important role that MDA plays is to provide funding during early career stages and at times when funding from other sources becomes scarce. I do not believe that I would have been able to establish and maintain my neuromuscular research had it not been for funding from MDA at crucial points in my career."

“For more than two decades, Dr. Beam has been gleaning valuable insights into the contraction of skeletal muscles.  We applaud his tireless dedication to understanding the muscle process that so many people take for granted," said Valerie Cwik, M.D., MDA executive vice president for research and medical director. “We are hopeful that Dr. Beam's research will yield high dividends in the form of therapies for several neuromuscular diseases.”

Research grant applications are peer-reviewed twice yearly by MDA’s Medical and Scientific Advisory Committees, comprising world-renowned experts in neuromuscular disease research.  The most promising of some 500 applications received each year are recommended for funding to the MDA Board of Directors.

According to R. Rodney Howell, M.D., chairman of the MDA Board of Directors, “Generous Americans responding to the annual Jerry Lewis MDA Telethon, and to thousands of other special events benefiting the families served by MDA, deserve much of the credit for the rapid progress being made toward treatments for neuromuscular diseases.  It’s their strong belief in MDA’s capable stewardship of public funds that’s enabling so much to be accomplished — even in a sluggish economy.”

Often credited for its leadership in building the field of neuromuscular disease research, MDA also has enhanced clinical care for individuals affected by muscle disorders, achieving important quality of life and longevity gains. The Association, which has invested almost $39 million in 2010 in research worldwide, is the first nonprofit to earn a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Medical Association (“for significant and lasting contributions to the health and welfare of humanity”).

MDA-funded scientists have uncovered the genetic defects that cause several forms of muscular dystrophy; Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT); a form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease); childhood spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) and other neuromuscular conditions. Now entering a period of increasing numbers of clinical trials of potential therapeutics, the Association’s network of approximately 200 hospital-affiliated clinics is instrumental in identifying appropriate candidates for clinical trials, in helping to refine outcome measures for those clinical trials.

More than 1 million people in America are affected by neuromuscular diseases.
Residents of the Denver area who are affected by any of the more than 40 muscle diseases in MDA’s program can receive excellent medical care at the MDA Clinics at the University of Colorado and The Children’s Hospital.  Individuals living with ALS are encouraged to visit the MDA/ALS Center at the University of Colorado. MDA is the nonprofit health agency dedicated to curing muscular dystrophy, ALS and related diseases by funding worldwide research (view video of MDA research at http://www.mda.org/research/gaag/2010/b-roll.html. The Association also provides comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy and education.  For more information on MDA research and programs, go to www.mda.org.

For more information about those new grants, visit MDA’s “Grants at a Glance” an online slideshow that showcases each grant with photos and detailed information.