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Becker Muscular Dystrophy
Background
Becker Muscular Dystrophy: Becker MD
Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD), one of muscular dystrophies, is a rare genetic condition first described in 1955 by Becker and Kiener. BMD is a muscular dystrophy associated with mutations (changes) in the dystrophin gene. An individual needs a range of proteins surrounding muscle fibres to ensure their efficient working. In BMD, a reduction of dystrophin leads to the effects seen in the condition.
As BMD is a sex-linked disorder (with the gene located on the X chromosome) it largely affects males. Its presentation is generally in adolescence or early in adulthood but it can be recognised earlier. BMD is thought to affect approximately 1 in 30,000 males. Life expectancy may be reduced, but many affected people live into their seventies or eighties.
