Vasodilator and Exercise Study for DMD (VASO-REx)
Examining two strategies as potential adjuvant therapies for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD); aerobic exercise training (to induce adaptations in skeletal muscle and improve cardiovascular health) and tadalafil, an FDA-approved vasodilator (to optimize blood flow and muscle perfusion which is impaired and often overlooked in DMD). Target: improved muscle function, vascular health, and DMD treatment.
- EligibilityCriteria: Inclusion Criteria:  Diagnosis of DMD confirmed by genetic report Minimum entry age of 6.0 years old Ambulatory On stable glucocorticoid regimen (for > 3 months)  Exclusion Criteria:  Contraindication to a Magnetic resonance Imaging examination (e.g. severe claustrophobia, magnetic implants, unable/unwilling to perform test) Presence of unstable medical problems, including severe cardiomyopathy, left ventricular ejection fraction <45%, cardiac conduction abnormalities as evidenced on ECG, uncontrolled seizure disorder, uncontrolled hypo or hypertension Presence of a secondary condition that impacts muscle function or muscle metabolism (e.g., myasthenia gravis, endocrine disorder, mitochondrial disease) Presence of a secondary condition leading to developmental delay or impaired motor control (e.g., cerebral palsy) or previous history of unprovoked rhabdomyolysis Contraindications to phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (use of nitrates, alpha-adrenergic blockers, other phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors) or other medications known to modulate blood flow or muscle metabolism Participation in currently approved FDA trials or other investigational clinical trials during the period of the study - HealthyVolunteers: No - Gender: Male - GenderBased: Yes - GenderDescription: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is an X-linked disorder, and therefore predominantly in males. As a result, we are limiting our children study participants to males. - MinimumAge: 6 Years - StdAgeList: Child, Adult, Older Adult