April 2011: Frightening Risk of Marfan Syndrome, and Potential Treatment, Elucidated
Science 15 April 2011:
Vol. 332 no. 6027 p. 297
DOI: 10.1126/science.332.6027.297
Frightening Risk of Marfan Syndrome, and Potential Treatment, Elucidated
Jennifer Couzin-Frankel
The biggest risk for patients with Marfan syndrome, a genetic condition that weakens connective tissue throughout the body, including in the lungs, the skeleton, and the cardiovascular system, is a ruptured aorta, which can kill them. Five years ago, a blood pressure drug called losartan was found to virtually erase the risk of aneurysms. In this week's issue of Science, on pages 358 and 361, researchers parse the molecular cascades that lead to aneurysms in Marfan syndrome, shedding light on why losartan looks so promising and potential avenues for the development of new treatments.
Couzin-Frankel, F. Frightening Risk of Marfan Syndrome, and Potential Treatment, Elucidated. Science. 15 April 2011. Vol. 332 (6027): 297.