For many living with rare diseases, the "diagnostic odyssey" is a gruelling reality—a path often marked by years of uncertainty, misdiagnoses, and emotional strain. On 12 February 2026, the CoMPaSS-NMD project will take a significant step towards shortening this journey as we host a major press conference at the Sala Stampa of the Chamber [...]
Rare diseases are anything but rare when you look at the collective impact. While individual conditions are uncommon, around 350 million people worldwide are affected by a rare disease. Within this massive group are Neuromuscular Diseases (NMDs). Collectively, NMDs affect about half a million individuals—a population roughly the size of a country like Poland. [...]
For many years, most neuromuscular disorders were considered monogenic diseases: conditions caused by mutations in a single gene, leading to a well-defined clinical picture. This “one gene – one disease” model worked well to explain many rare disorders and remains a cornerstone of medical genetics. However, research on neuromuscular and other disorders has shown [...]
"Navigating NMDs: Your CoMPaSS to Care," a new series of four engaging and accessible webinars designed to shed light on these conditions and the future of their diagnosis and treatment. Feeling lost in the complex world of rare neuromuscular diseases (NMDs)? You're not alone. Navigating the journey from diagnosis to care can be [...]
A groundbreaking study from the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia (UNIMORE) is changing our understanding of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), a prevalent hereditary muscle disorder. Published in the esteemed journal Nucleic Acids Research, the research identifies a novel molecular mechanism involving a long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) called FRG2A-t, shedding new light on how [...]
The genetic landscape of muscle diseases is significantly more complex than initially anticipated. In the so-called Mendelian inheritance, genetic diseases are caused by DNA changes (mutations) in a single gene that lead to a molecular, cellular, or tissue defect, producing a predictable disease phenotype (one gene–one disease). Beyond the "One Gene - One Disease" [...]
Navigating the complex landscape of data protection and Artificial Intelligence regulation in healthcare The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems in healthcare, particularly for diagnosing health problems or diseases, presents unique regulatory challenges. In the CoMPaSS-NMD project, recognizing these challenges, extensive research has been conducted to ensure the privacy and security of the data used [...]
Safeguarding personal data is crucial for enhancing AI-driven categorization of patients with neuromuscular diseases. Protecting patient data in AI-driven stratification The CoMPaSS-NMD project is pioneering the use of advanced AI techniques to enable precise stratification of patients with hereditary neuromuscular diseases. By identifying meaningful subgroups of patients based on shared characteristics, the project aims [...]
In Modena, an event brought together individuals affected by neuromuscular conditions to explore the potential of artificial intelligence in achieving more precise diagnoses and offering hope for future advancements. On Saturday, 10th May, Modena hosted an event entitled “Precision Diagnosis and Artificial Intelligence for Neuromuscular Patients: New Tools and New Possibilities”, dedicated to patients, [...]