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What is Inclusion Body Myopathy associated with Paget's disease of bone and Frontotemporal Dementia (IBMPFD)?
IBMPFD is an uncommon, adult-onset disorder that has been studied in over two dozen families from the U.S. and other countries.Affected individuals may show one or a combination of the three involved conditions. Approximately 90% of the affected persons in the study have myopathy or muscle weakness, particularly of the shoulder and hip girdles, that can lead to loss of walking ability and even death by complications of respiratory and cardiac failure. About half of affected study participants have Paget disease of bone characterized by abnormal rates of bone growth that can result in bone pain, enlargement and fractures. Findings of premature Frontotemporal Dementia affecting behavior and personality are seen in a quarter to a third of affected individuals.
In 2003, the Kimonis group identified the gene causing IBMPFD as Valosin-Containing Protein, or VCP (also called CDC48 and p97). This work was published in Nature Genetics 2004.36: 377-381. An evolutionary old gene, VCP is common to basic life forms, and is involved in several vital cellular processes. The lab found that six possible mutations in the VCP gene resulted in IBMPFD. Furthermore, there appeared to be a mutation "hot-spot"; that is to say, the majority of the mutations are found in the same region within VCP.
Now that IBMPFD has been clinically and genetically characterized, the next step towards developing potential treatments is identifying the specific ways in which the VCP mutations affect patients at the cellular level. Dr. Giles Watts and others in the Kimonis lab with funding from the MDA and NIH are currently working on molecular genetics experiments that will aid in deciphering the mechanisms within the cell that are at the root of IBMPFD.
Participation in the IBMPFD Research Study
Directions to the GCRC in Orange and Main Campus
Please Click for Information on IBMPFD Genetic Testing
Mitomed Requisition Form for VCP testing
IBMPFD Brochures
Educational Materials that discuss IBMPFD and VCP genetic testing are available for download below:
- Newsletter
- For patients and families of patients
- For non-genetics healthcare professionals
- For genetics professionals
Recently Published Articles
Articles that are published recently on VCP disease are available for download below:
ibmpfd.com
David Sweetman, a patient advocate with IBMPFD, maintains a website: www.ibmpfd.com. The website offers a message board, contact information for research groups, and a variety of other useful information for patients, caregivers, and researchers.
