Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation

IDMC-6, September 12-15, 2007

September 24, 2007

In 1997 an international group of investigators ---including doctors and scientists --- in search of the underlying cause and treatment or cure for myotonic dystrophy, convened in Paris. The conference was called the International Myotonic Dystrophy Consortium (IDMC) and has met bi-annually for the last ten years: in the US, Japan, Scotland, Canada and in September 2007, in Milan, Italy (IDMC-6). Participants in Milan learned about the latest DM research from over 150 DM studies presented either orally or in poster form. During the four-day conference invaluable, informal collaboration takes place among investigators from disparate parts of the world. It is truly an exhilarating, synergystic time for professionals studying myotonic dystrophy. Some affected family members have attended the last two conferences.

Among those family members in attendance were five Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation board members. During the final session, two of them --- Jeremy Kelly and Shannon Lord --- officially inaugurated the new foundation in a power-point presentation. The MDF also issued its first two bi-annual $1,000 Awards of Excellence to two young investigators making their first conference presentations. Selections were made by a jury comprised of former conference organizers. Bryan Warf, a graduate student at the University of Oregon, was selected along with Susan Mulders from The Netherlands. In addition, the MDF selected Dr. Richard Moxley, III as recipient of its first bi-annual $5,000 MDF Award for his life-long study and treatment of the disease and for his support of the MDF, especially during: the first year of its organizational process.

Click here to see photos of this conference