New publication from the Dolinsky Lab!

Congratulations to Caitlin Menzies, PhD student in Dr. Vern Dolinsky’s lab, for their newly published review in the Journal of Cardiovascular Development and Disease, “Rethinking Childhood-Onset Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Review of Molecular Mechanisms and Unique Therapy Considerations“.

Abstract: Childhood-onset hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a heart condition where the heart muscle becomes unusually thick. When this happens in children, it behaves differently than in adults — which means it needs special approaches to diagnosis and treatment. Right now, most treatments for children with HCM are based on adult guidelines, even though kids’ hearts and bodies work differently. This can make care less effective or even riskier for young patients.

This review looks at what we know about the causes of childhood HCM, how it affects children’s health, and the current options for managing it. Recent advances in genetics have shown that the disease can develop in many different ways, and that the genes involved may affect how severe it becomes and how early it starts. Treatment can include medicines, surgery, or implanted heart devices, depending on each child’s needs. However, there isn’t enough research yet to know how well these treatments truly work for children. New, more personalized approaches — like gene-based therapies — could improve outcomes, but they’re still being studied. To give kids with HCM the best chance at healthy lives, we need earlier diagnosis, more child-specific research, and treatment plans designed especially for them.

Click here to read the article.