Skip to main content

Diseases Studied

The Rare Diseases Clinical Research Network is an NIH-funded research network of 20 active consortia or research groups working to advance treatment for diseases that are rare. Use the search tools on this page to find the diseases we currently study. You can reach out to the indicated consortia or research groups for more information on those diseases and studies underway.

This network focuses on clinical research and does not generally support clinical care outside of research activities. To learn about other rare diseases, please visit the Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (GARD), which is an NIH program that helps the public find reliable information about rare and genetic diseases. Their staff are specialists. Contact them at 1-888-205-2311 or email GARDinfo@nih.gov.

All Diseases > Membranous nephropathy

Membranous nephropathy (MN)

Alternative Names: Idiopathic Membranous Nephropathy; Membranous Glomerulonephritis (MGN), Primary Membranous Glomerulonephritis

Disease Category: Nephrotic Syndrome

A kidney disease characterized by inflammation and thickening of the glomerular basement membrane (a structure within the kidneys responsible for filtering fluids and wastes). Symptoms include weight gain, swelling, fatigue, hypertension (high blood pressure), high triglyceride (a type of fatty substance in the blood) levels, hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol levels), proteinuria (proteins in the urine), and hypoproteinemia (low blood protein levels).

Research groups studying this disease

Nephrotic Syndrome
NEPTUNE logo

Nephrotic Syndrome Study Network (NEPTUNE)

Recruiting

NEPTUNE is a study network to improve the identification and management of patients with Nephrotic Syndrome (NS) from Minimal Change Disease (MCD), Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), and Membranous Nephropathy (MN). NEPTUNE includes study sites located at universities and medical facilities across North America and brings together patients, patient advocates, doctors and scientists working together to find better treatments for NS. The network allows experts from many areas to share research information to fast-track results that lead to new discoveries.

Seeks to aid the medical community in understanding and overcoming genetic conditions with research grants targeted at kidney disease and autoimmune disease.

Accelerates research for effective treatments for rare forms of nephrotic syndrome while providing education and support to those affected.