Luspatercept, sold under the brand name Reblozyl, is a medication used for the treatment of anemia in beta thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers it to be a first-in-class medication. Medical uses
Luspatercept is indicated for the treatment of adults with transfusion-dependent anemia due to very low, low and intermediate-risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) with ring sideroblasts, who had an unsatisfactory response to or are ineligible for erythropoietin-based therapy.Luspatercept is indicated for the treatment of adults with transfusion-dependent anaemia associated with beta thalassaemia. Side effects
Possible adverse effects include temporary bone pain, joint pains (arthralgias), dizziness, elevated blood pressure (hypertension) and elevated uric acid levels (hyperuricemia). There was also an increased risk of thrombosis (blood clots) in patients who have risk factors for thrombosis who are taking luspatercept. Structure and mechanism
Luspatercept is a recombinant fusion protein derived from human activin receptor type IIb (ActRIIb) linked to a protein derived from immunoglobulin G. It binds TGF (transforming growth factor beta) superfamily ligands to reduce SMAD signaling. The reduction in SMAD signaling leads to enhanced erythroid maturation. History
Phase III trials evaluated the efficacy of luspatercept for the treatment of anemia in the hematological disorders beta thalassemia and myelodysplastic syndromes.It was developed by Acceleron Pharma in collaboration with Celgene.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted approval for luspatercept–aamt in November 2019, for the treatment of anemia (lack of red blood cells) in adult patients with beta thalassemia who require regular red blood cell (RBC) transfusions.
With both measures, multiple images can be compared to see if there is a loss in brain volume over time. Difference from hydrocephalus
Cerebral atrophy can be hard to distinguish from hydrocephalus because both cerebral atrophy and hydrocephalus involve an increase in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) volume. In cerebral atrophy, this increase in CSF volume comes as a result of the decrease in cortical volume. In hydrocephalus, the increase in volume happens due to the CSF itself. Treatment
Cerebral atrophy is not usually preventable. However, there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk:

controlling blood pressure
a healthy balanced diet including omega-3s and antioxidants
staying active mentally, physically, and socially. Reversibility of cerebral atrophy
While most cerebral atrophy is said to be irreversible, recent studies that show this is not always the case. A child who was treated with ACTH originally showed atrophy, but four months after treatment the brain was seemingly normal again.As previously mentioned, chronic alcoholism is known to be associated with significant brain damage. The pronounced shrinkage in the frontal lobes and cerebellum of alcoholics correlates with serious impairments in executive and psychomotor functions. However, longitudinal studies suggest that some of these brain damages are partially reversible with abstinence. In response to drinking cessation, bodies of gray and white matter including the cerebral cortex, the limbic system (amygdala, hippocampus, thalamus), the cerebellum, and the brainstem all showed a general increase in brain volume. Similarly, ventricular enlargement—which reflects atrophy of surrounding brain regions—is also reduced in abstinent alcoholics.