Russia’s Federal Biomedical Agency has announced that the country’s scientists are working on developing a test to detect sarcopenia, a disease associated with age-related muscle loss.
A statement from the agency read: "Our Brain and Neurotechnology Research Center is working on a project aimed at studying the mechanisms of age-related muscle loss. Identifying predictive indicators of muscle change dynamics will form the basis for developing diagnostic tests capable of predicting sarcopenia and its various causes."
The statement added: "Russian scientists are scheduled to complete the development of a prototype sarcopenia detection test by 2028. The formation of patient groups has been completed, and data analysis is currently underway with the aim of identifying stable RNA markers, which will form the basis of the new testing systems."
The agency also revealed that by 2027, the project will create a molecular atlas of the functional activity of regulatory elements of the genome in human muscle tissue, which will include data on the dynamics of muscle aging and various forms of sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia appears in some people as they get older due to a decline in muscle mass, which affects the ability to walk, maintain balance, and perform daily activities, and may lead to loss of physical strength and a feeling of lethargy.
Health experts indicate that sarcopenia may be linked to several factors, including lack of physical activity, insufficient sleep, a diet lacking in protein, vitamins and essential nutrients, as well as hormonal imbalances associated with aging.
