Cot death could partly be down to genetic mutation, say researchers

Rare mutation associated with breathing muscles is key to sudden infant death syndrome, says study in LancetScientists have uncovered a new and potentially important genetic mutation implicated in cot deaths, which they say could take research for ways to prevent such tragedies in a new direction.The rare genetic mutation is associated with the breathing muscles. “Previously the whole focus of trying to understand it was either the heart or the brain cells controlling breathing,” said Professor Michael Hanna of the MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases at University College London, one of the authors of a newpaper in the Lancet medical journal.Continue reading...

Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - March 28, 2018 Category: Science Authors: Sarah Boseley Health editor Tags: Sudden infant death syndrome Science Health Society UCL (University College London) Parents and parenting Family Source Type: news