Muscle nuclear size in neuromuscular disease

Abstract

Nuclear size has been estimated in muscle biopsy specimens from 7 healthy individuals, 8 patients with infantile spinal muscular atrophy (types I and II), and 8 patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The results indicate a great increase in nuclear size in Duchenne muscular dystrophy but not in spinal muscular atrophy when compared with controls. This finding is discussed in relation to the pathogenesis of the 2 groups of diseases.