Kisho is an information platform, not a medical provider. Nothing on this site constitutes medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. All content is aggregated from publicly available sources (including ClinicalTrials.gov, PubMed, FDA.gov, and Orphanet) and is provided for informational purposes only. Clinical trial eligibility, treatment decisions, and any health-related actions should always be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional. Kisho does not endorse any specific therapy, organization, or clinical trial. Terms of use · Privacy policy
A rare autosomal dominant distal myopathy characterized by preferential weakness of the great toe, ankle dorsiflexor, finger extensor and neck flexor. Progression is slow with variations in age of onset, severity, weakness, cardiac, and respiratory involvement.
Features include always present findings: Elevated creatine kinase (muscle enzyme) (elevated circulating creatine kinase concentration), Tibialis anterior muscle atrophy, Left atrial enlargement, and Excessive inward curve of the lower back (lumbar hyperlordosis) and others; and sometimes findings: Proximal muscle weakness and Enlarged and weakened heart (dilated cardiomyopathy). 25 total HPO annotations.
Organ System | Phenotype Count | Example Features |
|---|---|---|
Muscles | 9 | Distal muscle weakness, Tibialis anterior muscle atrophy, Type 1 muscle fiber predominance |
Arms and legs | 4 | Toe extensor amyotrophy, Distal lower limb muscle weakness, Weakness of long finger extensor muscles |
Brain and nerves | 4 | Hyporeflexia, EMG: neuropathic changes, Difficulty walking (gait disturbance) |
Head and neck | 2 | Facial palsy, High palate |
Lab test results | 2 | Elevated creatine kinase (muscle enzyme) (elevated circulating creatine kinase concentration), Mildly elevated creatine kinase |
Heart and blood vessels | 2 | Left atrial enlargement, Enlarged and weakened heart (dilated cardiomyopathy) |
Bones and joints | 2 | Excessive inward curve of the lower back (lumbar hyperlordosis), Sideways curvature of the spine (scoliosis) |
Laing distal myopathy is characterized by muscle weakness and atrophy beginning in the lower legs . Onset is often before age five years. In a few children, onset has been so early as to delay walking. In two families, weakness was not recognized until the teenage years . In one family with 20 affected members, onset of lower-limb weakness occurred between early childhood and the fourth decade . Onset as late as the sixth decade has been described . More than 200 individuals have been identified with a pathogenic variant in MYH7 associated with Laing distal myopathy. The following description of the phenotypic features associated with this condition is based on the reports of , , and . Table 2. Laing Distal Myopathy: Frequency of Select Features
Feature | % of Persons w/Feature | Comment |
|---|---|---|
Lower leg muscle weakness atrophy | 100% | — |
Finger extensor weakness |
MYH7 encodes myosin heavy chain 7 (1,935 aa). Myosins are actin-based motor molecules with ATPase activity essential for muscle contraction. Highest expression in Heart Left Ventricle (4,514 TPM) and Muscle Skeletal (3,693 TPM).
MYH7-related skeletal myopathy is caused by mutations in the MYH7 gene on chromosome 14.
MYH7 is classified as a druggable target (Druggable Genome category) with score 2.5.
Laing distal myopathy may be caused by different types of variants in the distal myosin tail. These include missense changes that insert proline, or cause charge changes or deletion or insertion of amino acids . Charge reversal pathogenic variants in MYH7 including , , and can be associated with a Laing distal myopathy phenotype combined with cardiomyopathy [, , , ]. It has also been shown that missense pathogenic variants to proline and amino acid deletions (, ) or insertions can also be associated with a combined distal myopathy/cardiomyopathy phenotype .
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
Penetrance appears to be at least 85%. reported a large Spanish family in which the age of onset ranged from birth to the sixth decade; 15% of family members with the pathogenic variant were reported to be asymptomatic. (Note, however, that individual ages at the time of reporting were not clearly stated.) In one apparent instance of a de novo pathogenic variant, the supposedly unaffected father was found to have somatic mosaicism; however, when examined, he did have mild weakness .
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
No consensus clinical diagnostic criteria for Laing distal myopathy have been published.
Laing distal myopathy should be considered in individuals with the following findings .
Clinical findings
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
Other disorders to consider in the differential diagnosis of Laing distal myopathy are indicated in this section. Congenital Myopathy The early onset of Laing distal myopathy means that any of the milder congenital myopathies may be a differential diagnosis . Table 4a. Congenital Myopathies of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Laing Distal Myopathy
Gene(s) | Disorder | MOI | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
MTM1 | Centronuclear myopathy (CNM); e.g., CNM1 (OMIM 160150) XL myotubular myopathy | ADXL | Ptosis restriction of eye movements are common. |
NEB | Distal nebulin myopathy 2 (OMIM 256030) | AR | Muscle biopsy shows nemaline bodies. |
RYR1 | Central core disease (OMIM 117000) |
Genetic testing for MYH7 is available. Testing is considered confirmatory for diagnosis.
No approved treatments are currently available for MYH7-related skeletal myopathy. The disease remains an area of unmet medical need.
No clinical practice guidelines for Laing distal myopathy have been published.
To establish the extent of disease and needs in an individual diagnosed with Laing distal myopathy, the evaluations summarized (if not performed as part of the evaluation that led to the diagnosis) are recommended.
Table 5.
Recommended Evaluations Following Initial Diagnosis in Individuals with Laing Distal Myopathy
System/Concern | Evaluation | Comment
| Full neurologic exam review of early gross motor milestones | Exam should specifically look for tightening of Achilles tendon pattern of muscle weakness.
| Baseline eval w/cardiologist incl EKG echocardiogram |
Genetic
counseling | By genetics professionals1 | To inform affected persons their families re nature, MOI, implications of Laing distal myopathy to facilitate medical personal decision making
MOI = mode of inheritance
1. Medical geneticist, certified genetic counselor, or certified advanced genetic nurse
Treatment of Manifestations
Table 6.
Treatment of Manifestations in Individuals with Laing Distal Myopathy
Manifestation/Concern | Treatment | Considerations/Other
| Physiotherapy | To prevent or treat tightening of Achilles tendon
Lightweight splinting of ankle (w/ankle-foot orthosis) | Considered for those w/more advanced disease
| Standard medical treatment under supervision of cardiologist |
| Surgical stabilization of spine | Bracing is ge...
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
Search ClinicalTrials.gov in the US and EU Clinical Trials Register in Europe for access to information on clinical studies for a wide range of diseases and conditions. Note: There may not be clinical trials for this disorder.
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
View trials for MYH7-related skeletal myopathy
Table 7. Recommended Surveillance for Individuals with Laing Distal Myopathy
System/Concern | Evaluation | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Distal myopathy | Neurology eval | Annually |
Cardiomyopathy | Cardiology eval incl EKG echocardiogram | If symptoms of cardiac insufficiency occur |
Scoliosis /or kyphoscolisois | Eval | During years of rapid growth in adolescence |
Sleep-related respiratory insufficiency / Obstructive sleep apnea | Respiratory function assessment | If symptoms suggest sleep apnea / sleep-related respiratory insufficiency |
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
Phenotype severity distribution: 8 always present features.
Estimated prevalence: Unknown (Unknown prevalence).
No clinical trials have been registered for MYH7-related skeletal myopathy.
5 publications have been identified in PubMed for MYH7-related skeletal myopathy. Research spans Epidemiology / Natural History (40%), Other (20%), and Case Report / Case Series (20%).
Bahout M (2025). [PMID: 39448255](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39448255/). *J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Clayton JS (2024). [PMID: 39047410](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39047410/). *Stem Cell Res*. [Basic Science / Preclinical]
Bogomolovas J (2024). [PMID: 38690729](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38690729/). *J Clin Invest*. [Other]
Bekele BM (2024). [PMID: 39063061](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39063061/). *Int J Mol Sci*. [Epidemiology / Natural History]
Wei P (2024). [PMID: 39483174](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39483174/). *Biochem Biophys Rep*. [Case Report / Case Series]
Data assembled from 8 of 12 sources · Last updated Sep 20, 2026, 6:52 AM UTC
Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
European rare disease database
Genetic and Rare Diseases Info Center
Common questions about MYH7-related skeletal myopathy
100% |
Variable time of onset |
Mild facial weakness | 80% | — |
Neck flexor weakness | 100% | — |
Proximal muscle weakness | 100% | — |
Spinal manifestations | ~30% | — |
Cardiac problems | 30% | Lower leg weakness follows a typical sequence: initially dorsiflexion of the ankle and great toe is affected and leads to a high-stepping gait, dropped big toe, and secondary tightening of the Achilles tendon . |
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
Weakness is more proximal than distal, affecting hip girdle in particular; muscle biopsy shows central cores. |
Distal Myopathies of Interest in the Differential Diagnosis of Laing Distal Myopathy Gene | Disorder1 | MOI | Mean Age at Onset |
MYH7 | Laing distal myopathy | AD | 5 yrs |
Udd distal myopathy – tibial muscular dystrophy | AD | 35 yrs | Anterior compartment in legs |
GNE | GNE myopathy (Nonaka distal myopathy) | AR | 20 yrs |
TTN | Myofibrillar myopathies2 (OMIM PS601419) | ADAR | Mostly adulthood, rarely teens |
DYS1 | Miyoshi myopathy (See Dysferlinopathy.) | AR | Late teens, early adulthood |
TIA1 | Welander distal myopathy3 (OMIM 604454) | ADAR | 40 yrs |
ANO5 | Distal anoctaminopathy (See ANO5 Muscle Disease.) | AR | 20 yrs |
Source: GeneReviews — "Laing Distal Myopathy"
AI-curated news mentioning MYH7-related skeletal myopathy
Updated Aug 27, 2026
A recent study explores the role of electrophysiologists in diagnosing skeletal myopathy, specifically in a case of fukutin-related protein cardiomyopathy. This research highlights the potential for interdisciplinary approaches in rare disease diagnosis.