Research on muscle biology and repair. Covers tissue maintenance, Parkinson's protection, repair-cell preservation, and muscle strength with age.
Researchers have created a ring of muscle from the patient's own body and transplanted it to the bladder as a replacement sphincter. The new treatment uses an implanted electrical stimulator for a reliable method of passing urine only when needed, offering hope for millions suffering from severe stress incontinence.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have developed a new treatment for degenerative eye disease, macular translocation surgery with 360 degree peripheral retinectomy (MT360), which has shown promising results in recovering reading vision in patients. The procedure involves rotating the retina to shift the degenerating macula ...
Patients with achalasia often experience impeded digestion due to reduced muscle contraction and sphincter relaxation. Research finds that nerve cell loss may cause constipation in these patients, which persisted even after treatment for achalasia.
The University of Pittsburgh has been designated as a cooperative research center to develop treatments for muscle-wasting diseases. The center will focus on gene and stem cell therapies to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the most common and debilitating childhood disease.
Researchers at three new NIH-funded centers are working on developing gene and stem cell therapies to treat Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The centers will study various aspects of gene therapy, including the delivery and engraftment of muscle stem cells into diseased heart tissue.
The study found that specific Hox genes direct the formation of nerves controlling muscles for eye movements and facial expressions. Disabling these genes led to abnormalities in mouse embryos, including cross eyes and breathing difficulties.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that imagining movement of affected limbs can improve stroke rehabilitation. The study used a motor imagery training program with patients experiencing hemiparesis, resulting in increased assessment scores and functionality.
Caffeine was found to reduce thigh muscle pain in young adult men during cycling exercise, suggesting its potential as a pain relief aid for endurance activities. The study's results may help explain why prior reports showed that caffeine improves exercise performance.
Researchers identified a genetic region on chromosome 11 associated with eye and kidney problems in individuals with Joubert syndrome. The study provides hope for developing a genetic screening test to inform parents about the risk of passing the condition to future children.
A study of elite male athletes found that about one in five believed they weren't sufficiently muscular and wanted to gain weight. The findings showed that 17.5% of athletes in lean sports exhibited symptoms of eating disorders compared to 9.2% in non-lean sports.
Researchers found that injecting a gene producing insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) into muscles delayed disease onset by 31 days, preserved nerve cells, and reduced muscle wasting. This study may lead to a new, gene-based treatment for ALS affecting over 30,000 Americans.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Salk Institute develop gene therapy that slows progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a devastating disease affecting thousands. In experiments with mice, injection of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) into muscles extends survival and improves strength.
A study found that applying a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug cream to the skin reduced muscle soreness by 37-45% in healthy males after exercise. This method avoids systemic side effects associated with oral NSAID use, which are common among patients.
Researchers have found that stem cells from blood vessels can regenerate wasting muscle in mice with muscular dystrophy-like symptoms. The study's results provide a possible new approach for treating the disease, which currently has no cure.
Researchers found a major neurochemical deficit in patients with multiple system atrophy, a rare degenerative disease, which correlates with worsened sleep problems. The study suggests that brain chemistry disruptions may also be linked to other neurological diseases like Parkinson's.
A study of 23 West Nile patients reveals early symptoms include rash, low back pain, and limb pain, progressing to muscle weakness and respiratory failure in severe cases. The disease can cause significant disability and death if left untreated, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study found that androgens increase lean body mass and strength proportionately, but combining with resistance training provides a more muscular gain. Muscle quality, however, was not significantly improved by androgen therapy alone.
Researchers found that carbon monoxide helps regulate smooth-muscle contraction in the gastrointestinal tract, enabling precise movement of food through the stomach and bowels. This discovery suggests potential clinical applications for carbon monoxide as a therapeutic agent in treating motility disorders.
Researchers uncover the critical 'on-switch' enzyme Abl kinase plays a crucial role in activating the pathway preparing receptors on muscle cells to react to nerve impulses. This finding has broad implications for understanding neuromuscular diseases and developing targeted treatments.
Myasthenia, a severe form of muscle weakness, has been linked to a novel genetic mutation that disrupts muscle responsiveness to nerve electrical impulses. Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have identified a new cause for the debilitating disease, which may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Researchers have created a protein mimetic that induces relaxation in smooth muscle cells by adding a phosphate group, making it effective for treating conditions like coronary artery disease. The mimetic is promising for promoting blood vessel relaxation and could lead to more successful coronary bypass surgeries.
The study identifies dysferlin as a critical protein involved in the repair process, which is faulty in two types of muscular dystrophy. Without dysferlin, muscles are unable to heal themselves, leading to progressive muscle degeneration.
Research reveals a mutant form of the muscle protein dysferlin prevents normal muscle repair in two muscular dystrophies, limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B) and Miyoshi Myopathy (MM). The discovery identifies a critical component in membrane-repair machinery, offering potential clues for future therapies.
A new study found that individuals who included Yoplait Light in their diets lost 22% more weight, 61% more body fat, and 81% more trunkal (stomach) fat compared to those on a low-calcium diet. The calcium-rich diet helped participants maintain lean muscle mass and reduce waist circumference.
Scientists have found evidence of pathological prion protein in the skeletal muscles of Syrian hamsters infected with scrapie. The discovery expands on previous findings and suggests that further research is needed to understand the presence of prions in muscle tissue.
Researchers found that supplementation with whey isolate and creatine increased muscle fiber size and strength gains, particularly in fast-twitch fibers. The study suggests that dietary strategies enhancing resistance training outcomes have significant implications for athletes and individuals with muscle-wasting conditions.
Researchers analyzed 28 West Nile Virus cases, revealing that over half presented with neurological symptoms mimicking other diseases like stroke or Parkinson's. The study aims to increase awareness among neurologists and patients of the varied presentations of West Nile virus.
A new study reports remarkable improvements in motor skills and dopamine storage in five Parkinson's patients. The treatment, which administered GDNF directly into the brain, showed a 39% improvement in motor skills and 61% improvement in daily living activities.
A meta-analysis of 48 studies found that creatine and HMB supplements effectively increased lean tissue gain with resistance training. These supplements doubled lean gain over the placebo group, suggesting independent mechanisms of action.
Researchers have identified the matchmaker protein SYG-1, which guides nerve cells to form synapses during embryonic development. This discovery may lead to new treatments for disorders such as chronic epilepsy and chronic pain, where synapse formation goes awry.
A major study found that patients who survive acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) show significant improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life over time. Despite persistent muscle wasting and weakness, survivors achieve 66% of healthy patient exercise capacity at one year and return to work in most cases.
Eating high-quality protein helps maintain muscle mass during weight loss efforts, burning more calories. A study found that a moderately high-protein diet resulted in greater weight loss and reduced body fat compared to a low-carbohydrate diet.
UT Southwestern researchers have identified a gene called twist that regulates muscle development in fruit flies and found it to be crucial in preventing cachexia in mice. The study suggests that the gene down-regulates proinflammatory cytokines, which are involved in various diseases including cancer, arthritis, and asthma.
Researchers found that cockatiels and turtledoves generate more power in linear flight than magpies, attributed to their tail and wing structure. The study provides insight into how muscles are used to produce power for flight at different speeds.
Researchers studied patients' understanding of living wills, finding significant differences in interpretation, and found that certain ventilator modes can worsen sleep quality. Inspiratory muscle training also improved respiratory function in patients with severe COPD.
Researchers have found that blocking myostatin in mice with muscular dystrophy improves muscle function, providing a potential new treatment for the condition. However, further studies are needed to address concerns about the approach's limitations and potential side effects.
Researchers discovered that mice without the myostatin gene had less physical damage to their muscles and were stronger than those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Blocking the myostatin protein may help delay progression or improve quality of life, but more studies are needed in humans.
A recent UK study published in Neurology found no association between Gulf War exposure and specific impairments of peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or skeletal muscles. The study used robust neurophysiologic tests and included representative comparison groups to rule out objective dysfunction.
A new study aims to prevent urinary incontinence in women after childbirth by promoting spontaneous pushing and daily perineum massage. The research, funded by the National Institutes of Health, hopes to empower women with tools to have a natural birth experience.
A study found that aerobic exercise did not prevent aging-related bone loss, while higher body fat, especially in the abdomen, was linked to increased bone mineral densities. Muscle strength also played a role in maintaining bone health, contrasting previous studies suggesting aerobics could have a protective effect.
Scientists at Rutgers and Albert Einstein College of Medicine investigate C. elegans worm model to understand age-related muscle deterioration. They find a key enzyme involved in this process, which could lead to novel therapeutic strategies for sarcopenia in humans.
Researchers developed a mechanical system that stimulates muscle activity in the legs by mimicking natural sensory input, which could aid astronauts and bed-ridden patients. The technology uses plungers to push against the bottom of the foot in specific patterns, generating enhanced neuromuscular activity.
Researchers have found that deacetylase inhibitors enhance muscle gene expression and formation in human and mouse myoblasts. This discovery may lead to methods to induce muscle growth, regeneration, and repair in adults with muscular dystrophy.
Researchers at Duke University Medical Center have discovered a rare genetic mutation in sheep that causes large, muscular bottoms without excess fat. The 'callipyge' gene is imprinted, meaning it's only active in the offspring of the affected parent, and its discovery could illuminate how muscle and fat are deposited in humans.
Researchers have successfully delivered the full-length dystrophin gene to mice with muscular dystrophy using stripped-down vectors, restoring normal muscle function. The breakthrough could pave the way for human clinical trials to assess the safety of this method in patients.
Researchers at Imperial College London identified a neural signal called WNT-3 that helps form connections between sensory and motor neurons in the spinal cord. The discovery has important implications for understanding neural regeneration following spinal injury.
A study by National Space Biomedical Research Institute found that amino acid supplements can maintain protein synthesis rates and body mass during bed rest, a model for muscle loss in space. The supplements also showed potential in reducing muscle atrophy in elderly, burn patients, and those after major operations.
Scientists have successfully transformed sedentary mouse muscles into fatigue-resistant type I muscle fibers by introducing the PGC-1Q protein, which activates energy production and oxidative metabolism. This breakthrough discovery holds promise for treating muscle fatigue in patients and individuals confined to bed rest.
Researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute discovered a chemical switch called PGC-1 that can transform fast-twitch fibers into slow-twitch fibers, increasing muscular endurance. This finding could lead to the development of a new drug to manipulate muscle fiber type and improve muscular function in patients with medical conditions.
A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that botulinum toxin type A injections significantly improved muscle tone and function in patients with wrist and finger spasticity after a stroke. The treatment showed sustained effects for at least 12 weeks, with some cases lasting up to 24 weeks.
Defects in enzymes responsible for processing dystroglycan protein cause several rare forms of muscular dystrophy. The discovery will help doctors diagnose and provide genetic counseling to patients. It also raises questions about links between muscle physiology and neurobiology, potentially improving understanding of learning and memory.
Muscle stem cells have shown potential in treating muscular dystrophy by differentiating into other cell types and resisting rejection, overcoming major obstacles such as low survival rates and immune system rejection. The study's findings could lead to more effective treatments for MD and other muscle-related diseases.
A new study suggests that Btx-B may be effective in treating face wrinkles, with a faster onset of action but shorter duration compared to type A. The low-dose study found that patients injected with Btx-B experienced rapid wrinkle reduction within 48 hours, but the effect did not last as long as type A.
A study by E. Todd Schroeder and colleagues found that androgen therapy increased muscle mass, strength, and power in older men, improving their ability to perform daily activities. The findings suggest that supplemental androgen therapy might benefit older men prone to losing muscle mass due to sarcopenia.
A study by Troost found Botox to be an effective preventive therapy for headache treatment, with 92% of patients experiencing improvement after four treatments. This alternative approach can reduce medication use and side effects, offering a promising solution for debilitating headaches.
Researchers found that a therapy combining electrical stimulation with bilateral movement significantly improved motor skills in stroke patients compared to unilateral movement or physical therapy alone. The study suggests that involving the unaffected limb can help restore function and create new neural pathways.
Researchers at UF found that combining therapies with mild electrical stimulation and motion training to both arms improved motor recovery in people with chronic weakness and partial paralysis. Participants regained significantly more motion, reaction times, and sustained muscle contractions.
In a study, 50 patients with various voiding dysfunctions reported a 82% decrease or absence of incontinence after Botox injections. The treatment alleviated symptoms for approximately six months without long-term complications. Overactive bladder affects 17 million Americans, causing significant quality-of-life issues.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have developed a promising new therapy for urinary incontinence using muscle-derived cells. The therapy, which uses genetically engineered muscle cells to replace damaged bladder muscles, shows long-term effectiveness in improving bladder function.
Studies by Johns Hopkins researchers found that excessive myostatin levels cause rapid muscle and fat loss in mice without affecting appetite. This discovery offers hope for new treatments for muscle-wasting diseases like muscular dystrophy and extreme weight loss associated with certain cancers, AIDS, and other conditions.