Muscle Wasting News and Research

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Specific gut microbe may boost muscle strength and performance

A species of gut bacteria called Roseburia inulinivorans is specifically associated with human muscle strength and improved muscular performance in mice, finds research published online in the journal Gut.

10 Mar 2026

Game-changing discovery reveals how viruses may trigger ALS development

A large, multidisciplinary team led by researchers from Texas A&M University has made a potentially game-changing discovery about the development of devastating motor neuron diseases like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

27 Jan 2026

Viral DNA elements help control early embryonic development

Transposable elements are stretches of DNA that can move around the genome. Many of these DNA sequences originate from long ago, when viruses inserted their genetic material into our ancestors' genomes during infection.

19 Dec 2025

Blocking a key cell pathway reduces muscle wasting in pancreatic cancer

Researchers at the University of Houston are pushing the boundaries of biomedical innovation with a discovery that could transform treatment for one of cancer's most devastating complications.

16 Dec 2025

Discovery of unexpected mechanism may help improve healing across muscle injuries

At the cellular level, the mechanics of how muscle tissue repair occurs gets complicated. There are significant differences between, say, tearing a muscle in a sports injury versus muscle tissue wasting away from diseases like muscular dystrophy.

21 Nov 2025

Clinical trial reveals encouraging results for apitegromab in spinal muscular atrophy

A new clinical trial has revealed encouraging results for a muscle-targeting therapy aimed at improving motor function in children and adolescents with spinal muscular atrophy, according to a study published in The Lancet Neurology.

18 Sep 2025

Charity funding boosts research into inclusion body myopathy at Aston University

Muscular Dystrophy UK, a charity working on behalf of 110,000 children and adults living with more than 60 muscle-wasting conditions, has awarded £140,944 in funding to Dr. Rebecca Jones at Aston University for a project to understand the cause of a condition called inclusion body myopathy.

13 Sep 2025

High protein diet linked to increased risk of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism

Next to cancer recurrence or progression, cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in cancer survivors.

28 Aug 2025

Do GLP-1 drugs shrink your muscles? New study explains the risks and what to do

GLP-1 receptor agonists are transforming obesity and diabetes care, but may reduce skeletal muscle mass, raising concerns about sarcopenic obesity. This comprehensive review explores the mechanisms, clinical implications, and mitigation strategies, including exercise, protein intake, and adjunct therapies.

26 Aug 2025

Aston Medical School secures NIHR funding for 12 academic clinical fellows

Aston Medical School has successfully bid for funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for 12 Academic Clinical Fellows.

22 Aug 2025

Goat milk boosts muscle health better than cow’s milk in animal study

Dairy products, especially low-fat and fortified goat milk, significantly improved muscle mass, reduced inflammation, and positively modulated gut microbiota in a mouse model of sarcopenia. These findings suggest tailored dairy interventions could help delay age-related muscle loss.

21 Jul 2025

Targeting GLUD1 shows promise in restoring muscle function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

New research has identified the enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase 1 (GLUD1) as a new therapeutic target for Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD).

17 Jul 2025

Myopenia identified as key contributor to muscle loss in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects individuals across all ages and genders.

11 Jul 2025

Scientists discover molecule that switches off brown fat activity

Obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases are increasingly present in the population. Brown adipose tissue has a protective function against these prevalent diseases, as it burns calories and can produce body heat from fat.

16 Jun 2025

Muscle wasting in cancer tied to blood vessel dysfunction

A dysfunction in muscle blood vessels could be to blame for the weak muscles and weight loss that most cancer patients experience, according to a new study from University of Illinois Chicago researchers.

29 May 2025

ZIP4 protein identified as driver of glioblastoma aggression

In a study published Wednesday in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), University of Oklahoma researchers detail their discoveries about why the brain tumor glioblastoma is so aggressive.

2 May 2025

Study reveals brain circuit behind apathy in advanced cancer

The fatigue and lack of motivation that many cancer patients experience near the end of life have been seen as the unavoidable consequences of their declining physical health and extreme weight loss.

10 Apr 2025

New protein target could aid in muscle regeneration for degenerative conditions

For millions of people, losing muscle isn't just about weakness; it's about losing independence. Whether caused by Duchenne muscular dystrophy, aging or other degenerative conditions, muscle loss can make everyday activities – like walking, climbing stairs or even standing up – a daily struggle

26 Mar 2025

Testing a novel approach to restore normal heart function in Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1

Myotonic Dystrophy Type 1 (DM1) is the most common adult-onset form of muscular dystrophy and a condition that severely affects multiple organs including skeletal muscle, heart, brain and the gastrointestinal tract.

18 Mar 2025

Research links kidney dysfunction to muscle weakness in myotonic dystrophy type 1

Thurman M. Wheeler, MD, of the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital, is the senior author of a paper published in Nature Communications, "Analysis of human urinary extracellular vesicles reveals disordered renal metabolism in myotonic dystrophy type 1."

8 Mar 2025