Editing Atrophy (section)

==Research==
One drug in test seemed to prevent the type of muscle loss that occurs in immobile, bedridden patients.<ref name="ND2006">{{cite news|url=http://www2.netdoctor.co.uk/news/index.asp?y=2006&m=5&d=25&id=123026 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070911010834/http://www2.netdoctor.co.uk/news/index.asp?y=2006&m=5&d=25&id=123026 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-09-11 |title=Drug could stop muscle wasting' |publisher=NetDoctor.co.uk |date=2006-05-25 |access-date=2006-05-27 }}</ref>
Testing on mice showed that it blocked the activity of a protein present in the muscle that is involved in muscle atrophy.<ref name="FASEBJ2006-Wang">{{cite journal | vauthors=Wang X, Hockerman GH, Green Iii HW, Babbs CF, Mohammad SI, Gerrard D, Latour MA, London B, Hannon KM, Pond AL | title=Merg1a K+ channel induces skeletal muscle atrophy by activating the ubiquitin proteasome pathway | journal=FASEB J | date=May 24, 2006 | pmid=16723379 | volume=20 | pages=1531–3 | doi=10.1096/fj.05-5350fje | issue=9| doi-access=free | s2cid=15763153 }}</ref> However, the drug's long-term effect on the heart precludes its routine use in humans, and other drugs are being sought.<ref name="ND2006" />