Myofibrillar myopathy is part of a group of disorders called muscular dystrophies that affect muscle function and cause weakness. Myofibrillar myopathy primarily affects skeletal muscles, which are muscles that the body uses for movement. In some cases, the heart (cardiac) muscle is also affected.

The signs and symptoms of myofibrillar myopathy vary widely among affected individuals, typically depending on the condition's genetic cause. Most people with this disorder begin to develop muscle weakness (myopathy) in mid-adulthood. However, features of this condition can appear anytime between infancy and late adulthood. Muscle weakness most often begins in the hands and feet (distal muscles), but some people first experience weakness in the muscles near the center of the body (proximal muscles). Other affected individuals develop muscle weakness throughout their body. Facial muscle weakness can cause swallowing and speech difficulties. Muscle weakness worsens over time.

Other signs and symptoms of myofibrillar myopathy can include a weakened heart muscle (cardiomyopathy), muscle pain (myalgia), loss of sensation and weakness in the limbs (peripheral neuropathy), and respiratory failure. Individuals with this condition may have skeletal problems including joint stiffness (contractures) and abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis). Rarely, people with this condition develop clouding of the lens of the eyes (cataracts).

The prevalence of myofibrillar myopathy is unknown.

Mutations in several genes can cause myofibrillar myopathy. These genes provide instructions for making proteins that play important roles in muscle fibers. Within muscle fibers, these proteins are involved in the assembly of structures called sarcomeres. Sarcomeres are necessary for muscles to tense (contract). The proteins associated with myofibrillar myopathy are normally active on rod-like structures within the sarcomere called Z-discs. Z-discs link neighboring sarcomeres together to form myofibrils, the basic unit of muscle fibers. The linking of sarcomeres and formation of myofibrils provide strength for muscle fibers during repeated muscle contraction and relaxation.

Gene mutations that cause myofibrillar myopathy disrupt the function of skeletal and cardiac muscle. Various muscle proteins form clumps (aggregates) in the muscle fibers of affected individuals. The aggregates prevent these proteins from functioning normally, which reduces linking between neighboring sarcomeres. As a result, muscle fiber strength is diminished.

At least six genes have been associated with myofibrillar myopathy. Mutations in these six genes account for approximately half of all cases of this condition. Mutations in the DES, MYOT, and LDB3 genes are responsible for the majority of cases of myofibrillar myopathy when the genetic cause is known.

Genetic Testing Information

• Genetic Testing Registry: Desmin-related myofibrillar myopathy
• Genetic Testing Registry: Myofibrillar myopathy 2
• Genetic Testing Registry: Myofibrillar myopathy 4
• Genetic Testing Registry: Myofibrillar myopathy 5
• Genetic Testing Registry: Myofibrillar myopathy 6
• Genetic Testing Registry: Myofibrillar myopathy
• Genetic Testing Registry: Myofibrillar myopathy 3

Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center

• Myofibrillar myopathy

Patient Support and Advocacy Resources

• National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)

Catalog of Genes and Diseases from OMIM

• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 1; MFM1
• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 2A, ADULT-ONSET; MFM2A
• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 3; MFM3
• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 4; MFM4
• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 5; MFM5
• MYOPATHY, MYOFIBRILLAR, 6; MFM6

Scientific Articles on PubMed

• PubMed

• Ferrer I, Olive M. Molecular pathology of myofibrillar myopathies. Expert Rev Mol Med. 2008 Sep 3;10:e25. doi: 10.1017/S1462399408000793. Citation on PubMed
• Schroder R, Schoser B. Myofibrillar myopathies: a clinical and myopathological guide. Brain Pathol. 2009 Jul;19(3):483-92. doi: 10.1111/j.1750-3639.2009.00289.x. Citation on PubMed
• Selcen D, Ohno K, Engel AG. Myofibrillar myopathy: clinical, morphological and genetic studies in 63 patients. Brain. 2004 Feb;127(Pt 2):439-51. doi: 10.1093/brain/awh052. Epub 2004 Jan 7. Citation on PubMed
• Selcen D. Myofibrillar myopathies. Curr Opin Neurol. 2010 Oct;23(5):477-81. doi: 10.1097/WCO.0b013e32833d38b0. Citation on PubMed