Characterization of the Natural History of LAMA2-RD and Identification of Novel Disease Biomarkers

Background: LAMA2-RD is an autosomal recessive disorder due mutations in the LAMA2 gene. The clinical manifestations of LAMA2-RD range from severe, early-onset congenital muscular dystrophy (CMD) to a milder limb-girdle type muscular dystrophy (LGMDR23). A few promising therapies are getting closer to clinical application, but clinical trial readiness is limited by the paucity of natural history studies. Although some groups have recently shed light on different aspects of the disease, these are usually focused on pediatric populations. A detailed description of the disease in adult patients as well as the importance of specific organs involvement (e.g., heart and peripheral nervous system) are lacking. Objectives: To describe the natural history of a large cohort of patients affected by LAMA2-RD (n=40-45). Specifically, the investigators aim 1) to clarify the prevalence and characteristics of cardiac involvement, and to correlate the latter with age and muscular phenotype 2) to clarify the degree of neuropathic involvement 3) to clarify respiratory, nutritional, skeletal, and brain/cognitive involvement, with a focus on adult population 4) to clarify which nomenclature better captures differences in terms of disease severity, to help refine inclusion criteria for trials 5) to understand how quality of life is impacted and transition to adulthood performed 6) to collect biological material for future research Design and methods: This will be a multicenter, retrospective and prospective longitudinal observational study with additional procedures for a subset of patients: cardiac MRI with contrast enhancement and an additional sample handling during routine blood test. Patients will be assessed every 12 months over a period of 2 years. In addition to routine clinical assessments, cardiac MRI will be performed in a selected 20 adult population. The differential involvement of specific organs between LAMA2-RD subpopulations will be analyzed.