A Memorable Visit: Professor Dave Arnold at the AGE Research Group

In July 2024, the AGE Research Group had the pleasure of hosting Professor Dave Arnold, a renowned expert in neuromuscular physiology from the University of Missouri, on a visit organised by Dr Karen Suetterlin.

Professor W. David Arnold is a physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist with sub-specialisation in neuromuscular medicine. His clinical expertise spans genetic, sporadic, and acquired neuromuscular disorders. Professor Arnold's research focuses on translational neuromuscular physiology in health, aging, and disease, with a particular emphasis on understanding the biological mechanisms of aging and developing strategies to enhance the resilience of the nervous system across an individual's lifespan.

Shared Interests and Collaborative Efforts

Dr Suetterlin and Professor Arnold share a deep interest in applying insights from rare neuromuscular diseases to better understand sarcopenia, and this common ground set the stage for a productive and inspiring few days. Professor Arnold observed a study visit for the MASS Lifecourse study; a deep phenotyping study aimed at understanding muscle aging and sarcopenia. He also engaged with various individual members of the AGE Research Group, fostering discussions to open the door for future collaborations.

Engaging with Newcastle’s Research Community

Reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of the AGE Research Group’s approach, during his visit, Professor Arnold also connected with members of the John Walton Muscular Dystrophy Research Centre, the Newcastle MRI Centre and local Neurologists and Clinical Neurophysiologists. These invaluable interactions allowed for the exchange of new ideas and the exploration of new research avenues and further international collaboration.

Inspiring Talks and a Positive Reception

One of the many highlights of Professor Arnold’s visit was the series of talks he delivered on the topics of “The development of gene therapy in SMA; successes and ongoing gaps”, “Evidence for neuromuscular junction transmission failure in sarcopenia, mechanisms and potential treatment” and “Intersection of aging and neurological disorders”. These talks were extremely well received, sparking interest and discussion among the attendees.

A Fruitful Collaboration

The visit has already produced a collaborative publication by Professor Arnold, Dr Suetterlin, and AGE Research Group PhD student Sinead Smith. Their article, published in Frontiers in Neurology¹, explores the intersection of sarcopenia and periodic paralysis, a rare inherited neuromuscular disease, shedding light on how age-related changes in muscle physiology can inform our understanding of both conditions. In addition to the research outputs, Dr Arnold’s lectures and helpful insights on how patients with some of these rare neuromuscular conditions might present has had a direct and positive impact on patient care in Newcastle.

Looking Ahead

Professor Arnold’s visit to the AGE Research Group was more than just a series of meetings and talks; it was the start of a future transatlantic collaboration. We look forward to developing this partnership further to meet our common goal of advancing understanding of sarcopenia and improving the lives of those affected by muscle aging.

Citation

1. Suetterlin K, Law S, Arnold WD. Periodic paralysis across the life course: age-related phenotype transition and sarcopenia overlap. Front. Neurol. Published December 23, 2024. org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1507485

Last modified: Mon, 27 Jan 2025 10:46:43 GMT