Dr David Hilton-Jones

Clinical Director
– Muscular Dystrophy Campaign Muscle & Nerve Centre
Clinical Director
– Myasthenia Gravis Association Myasthenia Centre

I established the Oxford Muscle & Nerve Centre, with the support of the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign, in 1990. The two aims have been to provide a first class clinical service for patients with neuromuscular disorders and to support basic and clinical research. Specifically, well defined cohorts of patients can provide the basis for research, and research findings can be brought back to the clinic for the benefit of patients.

I took over as Clinical Director of the Oxford Myasthenia Centre (supported by the Myasthenia Gravis Association) on John Newsom-Davis’ retirement and since his untimely demise have looked after our population of patients with acquired MG. The Centre works very closely with the NCG-funded congenital myasthenia service, run by Jackie Palace and David Beeson, and with the potassium channel disorders clinic run by Camilla Buckley.

Muscle Research

The group has had a long-term interest in myotonic dystrophy and has been involved in clinical research relating to heart involvement and excessive daytime sleepiness. It has worked with the Myotonic Dystrophy Support Group in the development of management guidelines.

Close liaison with the cardiologists has also included evaluation of cardiomyopathy in female carriers of the Duchenne/Becker gene and the development of management guidelines.

Current research is focussed on inclusion body myositis, with a collaborative project with the Paris Group funded by AFM. A recent Workshop reviewed clinical and pathological diagnostic criteria.

A close collaboration has developed with Oxford Brookes University with recent and ongoing studies in the field of delivering exercise programmes to patients with neuromuscular disorders.

We liaise with numerous laboratories around the world in the areas of genotype/phenotype correlation and identification of new disease causing mutations and clinical entities.

Myasthenia

Much of the research activity relates to the longstanding and close relationship with Angela Vincent’s group, detailed elsewhere. I and other members of the Group have written extensively about practical aspects of clinical management. The Centre is taking part in the International Thymectomy Trial. Further trials of immunosuppressant drug therapy are planned.