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Living with Myofibrillar myopathy 6

A rare inherited muscle condition (Selcen type) with weakness, heart problems, and breathing trouble, starting in childhood.

Understanding Myofibrillar myopathy 6

Myofibrillar myopathy 6, or Selcen type muscular dystrophy, is a rare inherited muscle condition that starts in childhood.

It causes weakness in the arm and leg muscles and the muscles of the trunk. It is linked to heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) and severe breathing difficulty in the teen years. It starts in childhood and progresses quickly.

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms vary from person to person. GARD lists these among the most common:

  • Weakness in the trunk and limb muscles
  • Heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy)
  • Trouble breathing (respiratory insufficiency)
  • Easy tiredness
  • Curved spine (scoliosis)
  • Walking on tiptoes

Not everyone has every symptom. GARD's list comes from the Human Phenotype Ontology.

Diagnosis

  1. Talk with your doctor

    Share the symptoms you've noticed, when they started and your family health history. Notes and photos can help.

  2. See a specialist

    Specialists who may be involved include brain and nervous system specialists and genetic specialists.

  3. Consider genetic testing

    Changes in BAG3 are linked to this condition. Genetic testing and counseling can help confirm a diagnosis and explain what it means for your family.

Care & treatment

Care team
Brain and nervous system specialists (neurologists); Genetic specialists (geneticists)
Expert care
Ask about multidisciplinary care centers for rare conditions
Treatment
GARD doesn't list specific treatments for this condition. Your care team will tailor care to your symptoms.
Research
Clinical trials and observational studies may be options. See the research section below.

General information, not medical advice. Your care team makes the decisions.

Everyday life

Living with a rare condition is easier with support.

  • Connect with rare disease patient organizations for support
  • Keep notes on symptoms, changes and questions for appointments
  • Ask about patient registries that help research
  • Look into financial aid and travel resources for care visits
Bring these questions to your next doctor visit
Should we have genetic testing for the BAG3 gene?
How often should my child's heart and breathing be checked?
Which specialists should be on my child's care team?

Quick facts

Symptoms usually startChild and as a Teenager
InheritanceAutosomal Dominant
GenesBAG3

GARD lists changes in the BAG3 gene. The condition is autosomal dominant, which means one changed copy of the gene can be enough to cause it.

GeneticNeurological

Also known as: bag3 myofibrillar myopathy (disease); muscular dystrophy selcen type; muscular dystrophy, selcen type; myofibrillar myopathy (disease) caused by mutation in bag3; myofibrillar myopathy type 6; myopathy, myofibrillar, type 6

Patient organizations

Rare-disease groups that can help

Source: NIH GARD · Myofibrillar myopathy 6GARD ID 17096 · GARD page updated September 2026 · Plain-language summary by Know Rare; editorial review pending. General information, not medical advice.

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