Metabolism and skeletal muscle pathology in MND
Project Summary
Our studies into energy needs in MND show that people living with MND use more energy than expected (this is commonly called “hypermetabolism”). We have also generated data to show that hypermetabolism in MND patients may be associated with increased energy needs in skeletal muscle, which itself is already energy demanding.
Using mouse models of MND, and biopsies of skeletal muscle from MND patients and non-MND control subjects, we are conducting the first studies that correlate the energy needs in skeletal muscle with the systemic energy needs of MND mice and each individual human participant. The mechanistic insights gained from these projects will allow us to determine whether metabolically directed treatment strategies should target skeletal muscle to improve muscle pathology, metabolic balance and prognosis in MND.
Research Group
Keywords
Motor Neurone Disease
Available Student Projects
Targeting the metabolism of glycosphingolipids as a novel therapeutic strategy for MND. (2017-2020)
Does the metabolic phenotype of skeletal muscle underpin muscle pathology and alterations in whole body metabolism in MND patients?
