FA and MS appear to share some overlapping molecular mechanisms, including iron and lipid dysregulation, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation. Recent research, including comparative transcriptomic analyses, offers valuable insights into shared disease pathways, with implications for potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In this review, we explore the shared pathological features and disease mechanisms in FA and MS, highlighting how delineating these shared pathways could inform early diagnostic strategies and support the development of targeted, mechanism-based interventions, including opportunities for drug repurposing.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
Deciphering the missing links between Friedreich ataxia and multiple sclerosis for targeted drug development
Kwa FAA, Anjomani-Virmouni S, Ramchunder Z, Kendal E, Xiao J. Deciphering the missing links between Friedreich ataxia and multiple sclerosis for targeted drug development. Drug Discov Today. 2026 Mar 16;31(3):104644. doi: 10.1016/j.drudis.2026.104644. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41850598.
