The World Muscle Society (WMS) Congress 2024, held in Prague from October 8-12, marked another significant milestone for ImagingNMD’s contributions to neuromuscular disease research. Our team presented an impressive portfolio of work, including three oral presentations and eight posters, demonstrating the growing importance of quantitative imaging in neuromuscular disease research and clinical trials.
Comprehensive Research Portfolio
Our presentations this year showcased the full spectrum of ImagingNMD’s expertise, spanning multiple body regions and research approaches. Drs. Krista Vandenborne, Glenn Walter and Rebecca Willcocks delivered key talks focused on MRI outcomes in Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), including groundbreaking findings from the EMBARK trial and a five-year longitudinal study of microdystrophin gene therapy. The presentations highlighted both our pioneering natural history research and our vital role in evaluating emerging therapies.
The team’s poster presentations demonstrated the breadth of our research, covering:
- Cardiac MRI outcomes in DMD patients
- Protein biomarker analysis
- Upper extremity assessment in Becker muscular dystrophy
- Novel approaches to monitoring disease progression in DMD
- Bone alterations in corticosteroid-treated DMD patients
Evolution of Imaging in Neuromuscular Disease Research
Dr. Rebecca Willcocks, a veteran of six WMS congresses since 2013, noted a significant shift in the field: “There has been a remarkable transition from qualitative MRI presented in case reports to quantitative MRI becoming an essential trial outcome across multiple populations.” This evolution reflects ImagingNMD’s pioneering role in establishing MRI as a crucial tool for clinical trials in muscular dystrophies.
Dr. Kelly Rock, attending her second WMS congress, observed that “imaging to monitor neuromuscular disease status, progression, and response to treatment is becoming the standard.” She emphasized how ImagingNMD’s work was prominently featured throughout the congress, influencing clinical trial design and treatment response measurement.
Fresh Perspectives and International Collaboration
For some team members, WMS 2024 offered a first glimpse into the global neuromuscular disease research community. Prathyusha Bellam, PT, doctoral student at the University of Florida, attending her first WMS congress, shared her experience: “It was an invaluable opportunity to meet colleagues from around the world who are engaged in fascinating research. The interactions with renowned experts in the field were particularly inspiring, adding another layer of depth to the experience.”
The congress reinforced the importance of international collaboration in advancing neuromuscular disease research. As Dr. Rock noted, “WMS congress is truly an international experience for scientists, not only in geographical location and integrated cultural events but is really a showcase of the very important collaborations required to perform and present impactful scientific findings in rare neuromuscular diseases.”
Looking Forward
The strong presence of imaging-related research at WMS 2024 underscores its growing importance in the field of neuromuscular diseases. ImagingNMD continues to lead the way in developing and validating quantitative imaging methods that are increasingly recognized as essential tools for both research and clinical trials. The congress not only showcased our current achievements but also highlighted the promising directions for future research and collaboration in the field.
Presented Research
Oral Presentations:
- “Muscle MRI outcomes in patients with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy treated with delandistrogene moxeparvovec: Findings from EMBARK Part 1” – Dr. Krista Vandenborne
- “Protein biomarkers predicting clinical milestones in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy combining natural history and real-world data” – Dr. Glenn Walter
- “MRI assessment of microdystrophin gene therapy in DMD: a five year longitudinal study” – Dr. Rebecca Willcocks
Poster Presentations:
- Cardiac MRI outcomes in DMD patients (Dr. Glenn Walter)
- Protein biomarker analysis (Dr. Glenn Walter)
- Upper extremity assessment in Becker Muscular Dystrophy (Dr. Prathyusha Bellam)
- MRI muscle fat fraction analysis in Becker muscular dystrophy (Dr. Kelly Rock)
- Longitudinal changes in DMD assessments (Dr. Sean Forbes)
- Bone alterations in DMD patients (Dr. Rebecca Willcocks)
- Givinostat natural history comparison study (Dr. Krista Vandenborne)
