Muscular dystrophy is a group name for a variety of diseases that weaken the muskoskeletal system and hinder general locomotion. Muscular dystrophies cause progressive defects in muscle proteins and the death of muscle tissue. In the 1870s French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne produced a comprehensive account of thirteen boys affected by the most common and severe form of the pathology, which now carries his name—Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Over time, nine other types of muscular dystrophy have been categorized. Most kinds of this disease manifest themselves as multi-system disorders involving nervous and gatrointestinal system, endocrine glands, eyes, brain and heart functions. The causes of muscular dystrophy are eminently genetic and its prognosis vary greatly, depending on the sub-type of the disease. Physical impairments are the most visible symptoms of muscular dystrophy, with increasing weakness and consequent difficulty in walking, standing and lifting weights. In its final stages, the person may encounter serious speech difficulties, thus making the use of a specific mouse assistive device very useful to grant interaction and communication possibilities through the PC.
