The cheap and commonly prescribed drug could be used to ‘prolong survival’ for MND patients

Researchers are to test whether statins could help people with motor neurone disease (MND) live longer after data suggests cheap cholesterol-busting drug may ‘prolong survival’.

MND is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no kown cure. Patients usually die within three to five years after diagnosis.

The disease causes muscle weakness and gets worse over time, but scientists are researching whether repurposing other drugs could give people living with MND longer with their loved ones.

Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. And don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.

Researchers, led by experts at Stanford University in the US, looked at medical records of US veterans diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – one of the main forms of MND. They analysed data on the medical records of more than 11,000 veterans between 2009 and 2019.

The research team found that people who were also prescribed certain medications appeared to live longer, with 18 medications taken for other conditions linked with prolonged survival.

These included statins prescribed to treat high cholesterol and alpha blockers, also known as alpha adrenergic receptor antagonists, which are prescribed to improve urine flow in men with enlarged prostates.

“To our knowledge, this is the largest study to identify new ALS treatment candidates through drug repurposing and the first to be based on electronic health records,” the authors wrote in the Lancet Digital Health journal.

Lead author Professor Richard Reimer, from Stanford University School of Medicine said: “Currently there are no truly effective treatments for ALS and people with the disease only live between three and five years after they have been diagnosed. Developing treatments for ALS has been difficult and disappointing because we don’t understand the disease completely and it is difficult to study in the clinic.

“Our findings suggest that treatment with statins and alpha blockers might prolong survival for individuals with ALS. Both statins and alpha blockers are generally well tolerated and available in inexpensive generic forms.”

He added: “The next steps will be determining why these associations exist and who may benefit from the treatments. For example, are statins affecting ALS survival by lowering cholesterol? Are they only helpful to individuals with elevated cholesterol?

“Once there is a better understanding of the link between these medications and survival for people with ALS, we hope that formal placebo controlled trials will confirm their benefit.”

A senior Iranian official made a thinly veiled threat against Donald Trump’s life on Tuesday as the US continued to pound Iran with bombs.

US defence secretary Pete Hegseth promised the “most intense” day of strikes yet, just a day after the US president vowed to rain down “death, fire and fury” on the Islamic Republic.

“The sacrificial nation of Iran doesn’t fear your empty threats,” security chief Ali Larijani wrote in a defiant post on X on Tuesday in response to Mr Trump’s Truth Social post.

“Even those bigger than you couldn’t eliminate Iran. Be careful not to get eliminated yourself.”

open image in gallery

The war of words came as Iran continued to strike countries across the Gulf, with Bahrain reporting its first death – that of a 29-year-old woman – as a result of the ongoing conflict.

At least 12 people have been killed across the oil-rich nations, the vast majority of them migrant workers, according to the New York Times.

Around 140 US troops have been wounded in the past 10 days, the chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said on Tuesday. “The vast majority of these injuries have been minor, and 108 service members have already returned to duty,” he said in a statement to CNN.

Doubts have emerged over the war’s duration after Mr Trump said it would be a “short-term excursion” that would be over “very soon” in a statement to press on Monday.

Mr Hegseth said the war would be ended on “our timeline and at our choosing” as global supply chains reeled from surging oil prices. Energy markets have been plunged into chaos due to paralysed shipping routes in the Strait of Hormuz, which Tehran has threatened to fully close.

open image in gallery

Mr Hegseth said that more fighter jets and bombers were being deployed to pound Iran as other experts have warned that the Islamic Republic could be playing a “war of attrition”, exhausting expensive US weaponry before using its better gear.

US president Donald Trump also threatened Iran with a military response “at a level never seen before” if mines are laid in the Strait of Hormuz, afterCNN reported that Iran had begun laying mines in the key shipping route – through which around one-fifth of the world’s crude oil passes.

Two intelligence sources told the broadcaster that mining was not extensive yet, with a few dozen laid in recent days.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the consequences to Iran will be “at a level never seen before” if no action is taken to remove the mines.

“If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before,” he wrote. “If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!”

open image in gallery

It comes amid market turmoil, with oil prices having surged over the weekend and hitting a high of $115 a barrel on Monday. Prices subsequently fell after Trump said the war would end “very soon”.

Downing Street said this afternoon that Britain was working with allies on a range of options to support commercial shipping, as the ministry of defence announced that a British warship, the HMS Dragon, a Type 45 Destroyer, left Portsmouth naval base on Tuesday afternoon headed for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi signalled that Iran was no closer to backing down under US-Israeli pressure, telling PBS: “We are well prepared to continue attacking them with our missiles as long as needed and as long as it takes.”

It comes as new reports suggested that the US are considering taking over Kharg Island, a small 7.7 square mile piece of land that is home to 94 per cent of Iran’s oil exports and its main oil export terminal.

US administration officials said that discussions on seizing the key island have taken place, according to Axios.

Reports also suggested that Iran could activate “sleeper cells” to carry out attacks across the globe.

The US is reported to have intercepted encrypted communications believed to have originated in Iran that were sent out following the death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli attack on 28 February, ABC News reported, citing a federal alert sent to law enforcement agencies.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration asked Israel not to carry out strikes on Iran’s energy facilities, according to a report in Axios. The requests mark the first time the White House has imposed restrictions on Israel since the countries launched a joint war on Iran 10 days ago.

Diego Simeone has made six changes from their league win over Real Sociedad on the weekend. Johnny Cardoso, Antoine Griezmann, Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Julian Alvarez and Robin Le Normand come into the starting XI.

Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri, Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman, Alvarez, Griezmann.
Substitutes: Musso, Gimenez, Koke, Barrios, Sorloth, Baena, Almada, Lenglet, Molina, Vargas, Gonzalez, Diaz.

Tottenham have made four changes their loss to Crystal Palace. Igor Tudor has made a change in goal, with Antonin Kinsky replacing Guglielmo Vicario. Cristian Romero, Djed Spence and Richarlison also come into the starting XI.

Tottenham: Kinsky, Romero, Danso, Van de Ven, Porro, Sarr, Gray, Spence, Tel, Richarlison, Kolo Muani.
Substitutes: Vicario, Austin, Dragusin, Palhinha, Simons, Solanke, Gallagher, Olusesi, Rowswell.

Police are appealing for information

Four people have been arrested after two men were stabbed in a fight. Suffolk Police were called to an address in Pipers Close in Haverhill at around 5pm on Sunday, March 8 to a fight involving several people.

Two men were reported to have suffered stab wounds, with one of them taken to hospital on Sunday, before being discharged. The other man couldn’t be located at the time, leaving officers concerned that he sustained serious injuries.

However, the man went to police on Monday (March 9) and went to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not thought to be serious.

Officers have since arrested four people in connection with the incident. A police spokesperson said: “A 35-year-old man on suspicion of assault causing grievous bodily harm and a 28-year-old woman on suspicion of affray. They have both been released on bail until May 18 pending further enquiries.

“A 36-year-old woman on suspicion of aggravated burglary who has been released on bail until May 19 pending further enquiries. A 53-year-old man on suspicion of aggravated burglary who currently remains in police custody for questioning.

“Officers understand that the parties involved are known to each other and so do not believe there is any threat to the wider community.”

Anyone with information about the incident should call 101 or report it online and quote reference 37/13517/26.

Pape Matar Sarr 5: Saw his header back towards his own goal expertly saved by Vicario, and it was his pass that Van de Ven failed to get under control as Griezmann raced through to double Atletico’s lead. Made the most tackles of any Spurs player on the pitch, but he looked completely overwhelmed in the first-half.

Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith, Thirsk and Malton MP Kevin Hollinrake and Sir Alec Shelbrooke, who represents Wetherby and Easingwold, are among 50 Conservative MPs who have signed a joint letter to the Competition and Markets Authority.

The MPs are urging the regulator to examine pricing practices within the heating oil supply market.

Heating oil is widely used across North Yorkshire, particularly in rural communities where many homes are not connected to the gas grid and rely on oil deliveries to heat their homes.

Mr Hollinrake said: “I have been extremely concerned to hear reports from across the country of customers having existing delivery bookings cancelled, only to be called back the same day and offered the same delivery again at nearly double the original price.

“With typical minimum orders of around 500 litres, families are facing sudden bills of hundreds of pounds simply to keep their homes warm.”

The letter argues that such behaviour raises questions about fairness, transparency and competition in the market.

Sir Julian added: “Many rural households in our area rely on heating oil, and they deserve to know they are being treated fairly.

 “I have joined colleagues in calling on the Competition and Markets Authority to launch an urgent investigation into the heating oil supply market after reports of price gouging, cancelled deliveries being reoffered at higher prices, and elderly customers being overcharged.

“Rural families should not be left vulnerable to unfair practices simply because they have fewer options for heating their homes.”

The letter notes that in many rural areas, households may only be served by a single local supplier and prices are often not published publicly, making it difficult for customers to compare costs or shop around.

There are also concerns that some customers, particularly elderly residents, may have been overcharged through automatic top-up schemes, where suppliers deliver oil without first confirming the price.

The Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team said that it was dispatched to help the man, who was found partway down the slope with a suspected hip injury, after falling from his scooter.

RECOMMENDED READING:

After an initial assessment, the team say it ‘became clear the situation was time critical’ and they began to give care and provided blankets to keep the man warm until Yorkshire Ambulance Service arrived on scene.

Once the crew reached the site, Coastguard officers assisted in transporting equipment down the steep path to the scene.

Following further assessment and pain relief administered by the paramedics, the teams carried out a stretcher evacuation up the cliff path before transferring the injured man safely into an awaiting ambulance.

“Steep coastal paths can be challenging terrain, particularly when using mobility aids. If you ever see someone in difficulty along the coast, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard,” said Whitby Coastguard Rescue Team.

​David Pinder Contractors’ application to build 19 new homes next to a railway line in Hunmanby near Filey has been refused after North Yorkshire Council said that numerous issues could not be overcome.

​The project proposed a range of designs from two to five-bed dwellings, but did not include any provision of affordable housing.

​The developer argued that the development would be unviable if affordable housing, NHS, education, and open space contributions were required.

​However, planning officers dismissed the viability argument and highlighted that there is a “relatively high need for affordable housing in the area, with a need for 27 affordable homes a year”.

​A report states that “the applicant’s refusal to provide affordable housing and contributions towards healthcare and open space are considered to be three separate reasons for refusal”.

​Officers said it was “unreasonable that, as a result of not providing NHS and open space contributions, this would reduce the access to health care facilities for the rest of the village and surrounding area and the expectation that taxpayers fund the increased use of neighbouring green spaces resulting from the proposed development”.

​If the plan had been approved, a healthcare contribution of £11,755 would have been required, as well as £44,000 towards parks and gardens, children’s play, and amenity open space.

​Planners said that the proposed development’s proximity to the railway raised “significant concerns regarding quality of spaces, noise pollution, and visual impact on the health and well-being” of future residents.

​Officers also said that a proposed retaining wall with an acoustic fence, which would have demarcated the boundary with the railway embankment, “would result in a dominant and monolithic feature”

​The proposed designated open space was described as “inadequate in both function and quality, appearing as residual space rather than a purposeful design” in a council planning report, which added that the site’s overall layout was “overengineered with excessive road coverage that is disproportionate” to the size of plots.

​Planning officers concluded that the reasons for refusal could not be overcome by negotiation or through planning conditions, and the application was refused on Wednesday, March 4.

The passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz – the world’s busiest oil shipping canal – has been severely disrupted amid the US-Israeli war with Iran.

Timelapse footage shows a fall in the flow of ships passing through the narrow shipping lane since the US-military offensive began on 28 February.

Usually, around 20% of global oil and gas passes through the strait in the Gulf.

Local councillor asks if there was “demand” in the area for new office blocks

A £36million plan by a Translink-related company to develop an eight-storey office building at the Lanyon Place Station car park site has been approved.

Elected representatives at the March meeting of the Belfast City Council Planning Committee (March 10) unanimously approved an application for the erection of an eight storey building, comprising seven floors of grade A office accommodation, and ground floor retail and business units, on the surface level car park at lands to the east of Lanyon Place Station, Mays Meadow, BT1.

While the plan means the end of the station car park, the application involves 15 car parking spaces for the new building, with new cycle parking and plant areas. The plan also involves public realm improvements, including a dedicated drop-off area to the front of the proposed building.

READ MORE: Petition to stop Botanic Gardens being dug up for pitch amasses hundreds of signatures in 48 hours

READ MORE: DUP councillor warns about “overuse” of Ormeau Park, and singles out Fleadh campsite

The applicant name and address is Northern Ireland Transport Holding Company, 22 Great Victoria Street.

While the council received no third party objections after neighbour notification, last year there were reports from some media outlets that a survey had revealed 80 percent of respondents were against the Translink plan. The reports added Stormont officials at the Department for Infrastructure also expressed reservations, saying the plans didn’t have enough detail.

Locals reportedly expressed fears that with only 15 car spaces for an eight storey office block, the new workforce would use their residential area as a car park. Council planning officers however recommended the application for approval.

The officer Planning report states: “The site is within the city centre and is a highly sustainable location for new office development. The proposal would provide office, retail and business accommodation which would have a positive impact in terms of investment and economic activity.

“NI Water offered an objection to the proposal indicating network capacity issues. However, it is considered unreasonable to withhold planning permission on those grounds as an appropriate planning condition can be imposed restricting development until a satisfactory agreement is reached with NIW.

“The council’s Environmental Health service and Urban Design Officer raise no objections. There is an outstanding response from DfI Road Services, however it is considered that the remaining issues will be overcome. Shared Environmental Services and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency have offered no objection to the proposal subject to planning conditions.”

At the council meeting DUP Councillor Sammy Douglas asked representatives for the applicant if there was “a major demand for officer space in the area” when in cities like London “they were converting offices into apartments.”

An agent replied: “At present, there has been an issue in the market generally with all the sectors. The “Best in Class” high quality offices cover about 300,000 square feet in Belfast.”

He added: “In terms of Best in Class buildings, where major investors are looking to invest, this scheme is to catch those requirements in the future. Those high quality buildings are proven to attract more investors, attract more occupiers in the buildings, which are healthier buildings, healthier buildings to live in and are more productive. It retains staff.

“It will be one we will look at for the future, with a five year period of planning permission. When the economic conditions and the demand is right, we will then review the options on the scheme.”

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.