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The drug metformin inhibits a protein called "kinase R", reduces the amount of RAN proteins (repeat associated non-AUG proteins), and led to an improvement in disease signs in mice with ALS and frontotemporal dementia, two diseases that often occur together. Researchers reported this in PNAS, the journal of the US National Academy of Sciences. "RAN proteins damage neurons and other brain cells, and their presence is linked to about ten different diseases, including Huntington's disease and fragile X syndrome," said lead researcher Laura Ranum.
FBR SmartBrief
Full story: The Conversation (7/20)
Translation: Let the Patients Live