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AUTUMN 2025 InTouch | 19 The Neurology of Myopathies (NoM) Lab. From left to right – Dr Angus Lindsay (Principal Investigator), Dr Gretel Major (Postdoc), Dr Liz Dunn (Postdoc), Jiayi (Kelly) Chen (PhD student), Alex Cater (Masters student) and Eva van den Berg (Honours student). Continued over ... of the team is leading a distinctive project(s), with relevance or crossover into the fear-stress-anxiety relationship in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The team is investigating the following: Dr Gretel Major – Duchenne muscular dystrophy is more than just a muscle disease—it can also affect metabolism and how the body responds to stress. Gretel’s research explores 1) how systemic metabolic dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy is affected by stress, and 2) how standard-of-care steroid treatments, commonly used in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, impact both brain function and metabolism. Understanding these interactions could help improve treatments and quality of life for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dr Elizabeth Dunn – Gene therapies restore a shortened version of the dystrophin protein, which is lacking in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Liz’s research is investigating the complex interaction between the shortened dystrophin protein and the fear-stress- anxiety relationship, which represents what patients receive in the clinic. Ms Jiayi (Kelly) Chen – Steroids, which lower inflammation, are the primary treatment for slowing the progression of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, long-term steroid administration is thought to affect the fear-stress-anxiety relationship. Kelly’s work focuses on understanding the relationship between long- term steroids and how these might contribute to neurological dysfunction in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Her research aims to refine steroid protocols to minimise the side effects for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Ms Alex Cater – The kidneys play an important role when a patient is stressed because it regulates systemic metabolism. Alex’s research investigates kidney physiology to determine the relationship between Duchenne muscular dystrophy and metabolism, and what effect this may have on the fear-stress- anxiety relationship. Understanding this physiology could provide new opportunities for Duchenne muscular dystrophy treatments in the future. Ms Eva van den Berg – Glucose is the primary energy source for muscle and brain activity. Eva’s research explores the complex interplay between brain RESEARCH NEWS Fig 2. Neurological disorders associated with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.