A motor axonopathy in a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

Skeletal muscle weakness due to loss of dystrophin is a well-documented pathological hallmark of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). In contrast, the neuropathology of this disease remains understudied. Here, we characterize an axonopathy in the phrenic and hypoglossal (XII) nerves of mdx mice. We observe nerve dysfunction that we propose contributes to respiratory failure, the most common cause of death in DMD.