Abstract
Background: Brody myopathy is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ATP2A1 gene, which encodes for sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca++-ATPase (SERCA1) pump in the fast twitch skeletal muscle fibers.
Case presentation: Patient is a 19-year-old woman presenting with exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis. Genetic testing confirmed a pathologic ATP2A1 mutation affecting SERCA1 function in type 2 muscle fibers. The patient experienced significant functional limitations due to impaired calcium reuptake and prolonged muscle contraction.
Management and outcome: Treatment with dantrolene sodium resulted in marked clinical improvement. The patient demonstrated enhanced muscle relaxation, reduced exercise-induced stiffness, and improved functional capacity following dantrolene therapy.
Conclusion: This case demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy of dantrolene (off-label) in managing Brody myopathy symptoms. Given the rarity of this condition, further documentation of successful treatment strategies is crucial for establishing evidence-based management protocols for patients with ATP2A1-related myopathy.
Keywords: ATP 2A1; Brody myopathy; rhabdomyolysis.
Copyright © 2026 American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
References
-
- Bergstrom C., Remz M., Khan S., McNutt M. (2021). Brody myopathy presenting as recurrent rhabdomyolysis. The American Journal of Medicine, 134(7), e429–e430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2021.01.022 - DOI
-
- Braz, Soares-dos-Reis R., Seabra M., Silveira F., Guimarães J. (2019). Brody disease: When myotonia is not myotonia. Practical Neurology, 19(5), 417–419. https://doi.org/10.1136/practneurol-2019-002224 - DOI
-
- Molenaar, Verhoeven J., Rodenburg R. J, Kamsteeg E., Erasmus C., Vicart S., Behin A., Bassez G., Magot A., Pereon Y., Brandom B., Guglielmi V., Vattemi G., Chevessier F., Mathieu J., Franques J., Suetterlin K., Hanna M., Guyant-Marechal L., Sternberg D. (2020). Clinical, morphological and genetic characterization of brody disease: An international study of 40 patients. Brain (London, England: 1878), 143(2), 452–466. https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awz410 - DOI
Publication types
MeSH terms
Substances
LinkOut - more resources
Full Text Sources
