Scientists find muscle relaxant reduces Huntington's disease severity

Scientists have used a muscle relaxant to successfully reduce the severity of Huntington's disease in laboratory mice.

Using a RyanR inhibitor, researchers from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center recorded less of a decline in coordination, which they measured using beam walking and footprint patterns in mice with a disease with similar characteristics to the degenerative condition.

Huntington's is caused by the recessive mutation of a gene protein, which releases abnormal quantities of calcium within neurons, which in turn disrupts connections eventually leading to their death.

Lead researcher Dr Ilya Bezprozvanny explained: "Our results suggest that RyanR inhibitors, such as Dantrolene, should be considered as future treatments to slow down the effects of diseases like Huntington's."

Recent research published in the Lancet Neurology journal indicated the drug pridopidine stabilises dopamine signaling in the brain, leading scientists to recommend further investigation as a possible treatment for Huntington's.

Posted by Neil Clark