A brief history of muscular dystrophy research: a personal perspective

The field of myology has undergone remarkable changes. From the period of early clinical descriptions and clinical classifications, new knowledge of these disorders has come from the developments of histopathology, enzyme histochemistry and later, immunocytochemistry and electron microscopy. These techniques have enhanced the understanding of the pathophysiology of myopathies at the cellular level. The parallel evolution of molecular genetics has taken the science further not only by way of understanding and accuracy of diagnosis, but has opened up exciting possibilities of modulation of these chronic debilitating diseases. This review gives a personal perspective of the developments in the field of myology.