LSU researchers together with colleagues from Germany in search for effective ways to fight muscle weakness

Due to emigration and declining birth rate, Lithuanian population is rapidly aging keeping up with the trend in the European Union. The elderly, especially those over the age of 65, are particularly susceptible to muscle weakness. LSU researchers Acting Professor Aivaras Ratkevičius and PhD student Mindaugas Kvedaras together with colleagues from the Technical University of Munich (Germany) have started important research to find effective ways to fight this disorder.

A joint team of researchers led by prof. Henning Wackerhage will be conducting a scientific project “Fighting Muscle Weakness: Regulation of Muscle Mass by Mechanical Overload and Caloric Restriction” from September until the end of November.

According the researchers participating in the project, aging-related muscle weakness was classified as a health problem only in 1980. Since then, research in this area has intensified. Several years ago, it was found that Hippo proteins play an important role in muscle development and mass changes. Research on molecular mechanisms in human cells is particularly important as it helps in identifying targets for pharmacological interventions.

In cooperation with LSU and the University of Munich, the researchers will conduct research and organize two seminars on muscle aging and health to introduce people to the problem of muscle weakness and ways of fighting this disorder. The seminars will take place at the Technical University of Munich on October 6, 2018, and Lithuanian Sports University on November 8, 2018.

The project is supported by the Baltic-German University Liaison Office.

Information provided by the Public Relations Office