Objective
Promote the existence and recognition of myology by bringing together on the same site fundamental and clinical research as well as care and teaching.
Since 2005 the mission of the Institute of Myology has been to facilitate the coordination of its on-site activities and – in the medium term – to prepare for the creation of a Foundation dedicated to myology.
http://www.institut-myologie.org/

Means
Seven centres of activity
• Neuromuscular consultations
• Laboratory of physiology and neuromuscular evaluation
• Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) laboratory
• UMRS 582 “Physiopathology and therapy of the striated muscle”
• Histopathology laboratory
• Tissue bank for research
• UMRS 787 – Myology Group (Inserm-Pierre and Marie Curie University)

Highlights 2007
• Strengthening of research teams and of the morphology laboratory
• Structuring the NMR laboratory and using the new 3T whole-body magnet in preclinical and clinical protocols
• Optimising evaluation and measurement tools for cardiac activity (new echocardiography for consultations and echography materials dedicated to echo-guided injections in the small animal)
• Launching a process of quality certification of strength and function measurement in order to guarantee evaluations that best correspond to the expectations of promoters and clinical investigators.

Key figures 2007
16 000 patient files (since opening)
3 440 consultations (reference centre)
1 543 day hospitalisations
351 new muscle biopsies studied
300 publications and scientific communications
60 young physicians and biologists in myology training
23 clinical protocols in progress
33 seminars and conferences

Financing 2007
7.2 million euros

Results and prospects
Today the Institute of Myology is :
• a reference centre for neuromuscular diseases
• an efficient clinical and fundamental research platform
• an international centre for the training and dissemination of myology
• a first-class clinical centre for therapeutic trials

By the end of 2008 the Institute of Myology will have set up its own Scientific Council in which that of the AFM will be represented. In particular, one of the objectives of this organisation will be to evaluate the results and efficacity of the Institute as a whole. This evaluation will be complementary to those of such independent bodies as the Paris Hospital Authority, the University, Inserm etc.

Partners
AP-HP, CEA, Inserm, Pierre and Marie Curie University, CNRS.