PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Alan Emery AU - Michael Rutgers TI - European collaboration in research into rare diseases: experience of the European Neuromuscular Centre AID - 10.7861/clinmedicine.1-3-200 DP - 2001 May 01 TA - Clinical Medicine PG - 200--202 VI - 1 IP - 3 4099 - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/1/3/200.short 4100 - http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/1/3/200.full SO - Clin Med2001 May 01; 1 AB - An understanding of the possible causes, prevention and treatment of rare, so-called ‘orphan disease’ requires collaboration in research between different centres with the sharing of information. In the case of neuro-muscular disorders (such as muscular dystrophies or hereditary neuropathies) this has been achieved through European collaborative research encouraged and facilitated by the European Neuromuscular Centre (ENMC). The successful example of ENMC provides a model for the investigation of other rare ‘orphan’ disorders or even rare problems occurring in common disorders.